Give Hertl a line to command, and by the end of the year I could see him proving good enough to play #1 or #2C. I'm also really curious when they decide to put Thornton at 3C, i'd hate to look in hindsight if he gets injured again our thinking was for him to play #1C the whole year after 2 surgeries.
I personally think all he needs is Karlsson cuz they "think the game the same way" and Labancs shot. Give the Joe line a break. I think especially for playoffs, we should put Thornton in a position where hes not getting tied up. Let that rest with Hertl and Couture. Also, we're going to be drawing a lot of penalties with EK, it would be wise to keep our PP players somewhat rested.
It sucks we haven't been grooming Hertl as Center, as he probably could be that guy, but I still remember in 2016 before Couture got injured, he was absolutely tearing it up at #3.
Meier-Hertl-Pavelski
Kane-Couture-Donskoi
Karlsson-Thornton-Labanc
Sorenson-Sumo-Goodrow
It's totally possible we see something like this. I wouldn't say it couldn't happen.