Calgary's Centre Conundrum

[1989]

So I felt like it's a good a time as any to discuss the Flames' pivot "problem" as a separate topic from the Sabres/Flames GDT. Calgary went from a team that had little to no centre depth to being deep down the middle in about 2 seasons' time. While it's obviously a great problem to have, I'd like to see our HF community's insight on the following:

1) Do the Flames really have a true #1 centre and not just a #2A playing on the first line in Monahan?

2) What are your updated expectations for each centre?

3) Which centres need to be moved positionally OR out of the organization?

4) Do the Flames realistically need to acquire another centre in the next 2 seasons?

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Just as a reminder, here are the Flames' list of centres both in the AHL and the NHL in alphabetical order.

Player Name​

|

Age​

|

Team status​

|

Contract Status​

Bill Arnold|22| AHL |0k/ RFA 2016
Drew Shore|23| AHL |35k/ RFA 2016
Joe Colborne|24|NHL|1.275m/ RFA 2017
Josh Jooris|23|NHL|885k/ RFA 2016
Lance Bouma|24|NHL|775k/ RFA 2016
Markus Granlund|21| AHL |418k/ RFA 2017
Matt Stajan|30|NHL|3.125m/ UFA 2019
Max Reinhart|22| AHL |53k/ RFA 2016
Mikael Backlund|25|NHL|1.5m/ RFA 2016
Paul Byron|25|NHL|600k/ RFA 2016
Sam Bennett|18| Junior |0k/ RFA 2018
Sean Monahan|19|NHL|1.775m/ RFA 2017

Let me know if I've omitted anyone.

I'd prefer if Sam Bennett not be mentioned here yet until he plays a shift in a regular season game for Calgary.
We all know he has high potential and could very likely challenge Monahan for 1st line minutes in the future. However, he's still a pure prospect as he would be sent down to the Frontenacs instead of Adirondack, and he's somewhat of an unknown quantity post-injury. I think we should talk about him when we actually see him play real minutes in a meaningful game.
But obviously, discuss him if you so choose.

Also important to remember that many young players/prospects will never pan out in the NHL, either for their parent club or at all. I listed every the centre currently playing in the AHL/NHL, but there should be no expectation that they will all develop to their potential.

Thoughts?

Click to read more...

 

[CraigsList]

Some players can move to the wing. From that list:

Arnold - C
Shore - C/RW
Colborne - LW/C/RW
Jooris - C/RW
Bouma - LW (plays more LW than C)
Granlund - C/LW (probably will be better at LW in his career)
Stajan - C
Reinhart - C/LW
Backlund - C (probably could play any wing too)
Byron - LW/C/RW
Bennett - C (probably can play LW too depending on our center depth in the future)
Monahan - C

The players I bolded are the ones I don't see moving out of the center position at any time in their career. Players I don't see with the organization long term are Byron, Reinhart and Granlund. Still unsure on Backlund/Shore.

 

[Taranis]

Byron, Bouma and Granlund are wingers and Stajan should be traded. Re-assess situation once Bennett is ready full time for the NHL.

 

[HAKAN LOOB]

If the Flames can get a good quality Centre who can actually win a damn face-off, they should get them. Our Centre depth from the looks of it is definitely quantity over quality.

 

[Volica]

Some players can move to the wing. From that list:

Arnold - C
Shore - C/RW
Colborne - LW/C/RW
Jooris - C/RW
Bouma - LW (plays more LW than C)
Granlund - C/LW (probably will be better at LW in his career)
Stajan - C
Reinhart - C/LW
Backlund - C (probably could play any wing too)
Byron - LW/C/RW
Bennett - C (probably can play LW too depending on our center depth in the future)
Monahan - C

The players I bolded are the ones I don't see moving out of the center position at any time in their career. Players I don't see with the organization long term are Byron, Reinhart and Granlund. Still unsure on Backlund/Shore.

Monahan - Backlund - Jooris/Colborne - Shore
Should be the 4 (5) centers moving into next season.

Bouma is more effective on the wing, Byron the same, Stajan will probably be moved at some point of time, Bennett will be the long-term 1-2 punch Center with Monahan; but that's at least a couple seasons away.
Reino isn't going to be an everyday NHLer, unfortunately. Granny is more suited on the wing most likely; but perhaps he could steal a role down the line... and Billy Arnold will likely be a 4th line center along the lines of Shore.

We have some decent C depth, finally, with a good mix of high end skill and defensive responsibility/intangibles... Some might get moved for other needs, but who knows at this point of time.

 

[Johnny GODreau]

What HK said, Flames a need a Jay McClement type center good at draws and PK. I wonder what he would cost...

 

[Ace Rimmer]

1) Do the Flames really have a true #1 centre and not just a #2A playing on the first line in Monahan?
I think Monahan is going to be a bona-fide #1 centre. He scores, he passes, he wins almost half of his faceoffs (49.8%) and is clutch.

2) What are your updated expectations for each centre?
I still want Backlund to be stronger at faceoffs - physical strength as well as results. He could be a decent #2 and a fantastic #2 if he continues his progression. I want Bennett to do more than a few pullups in a playground.

3) Which centres need to be moved positionally OR out of the organization?
I like Colborne as a #3 guy for now and possibly into the future. Wins faceoffs, is a big guy, has soft touch around the net. Considering the possibility of the team's centre depth being Monahan / Backlund / Colborne / Stajan over the next three years clearly some bodies have to be shuffled. Jooris, Granlund, Byron and Bouma may all be better at wing. Possibly even (thou who shan't be named) Sam Bennett or (thou who shalt be thine best player from the draft in... 8? years) Mark Jankowski.

4) Do the Flames realistically need to acquire another centre in the next 2 seasons?
Realistically - no, but you always need to look at improving the team. If they miss the playoffs and win the draft lottery do I pass on McDavid? No. If the BPA in the 2015 draft is a centre, you take him.

 

[Volica]

1) Do the Flames really have a true #1 centre and not just a #2A playing on the first line in Monahan?
I think Monahan is going to be a bona-fide #1 centre. He scores, he passes, he wins almost half of his faceoffs (49.8%) and is clutch.

2) What are your updated expectations for each centre?
I still want Backlund to be stronger at faceoffs - physical strength as well as results. He could be a decent #2 and a fantastic #2 if he continues his progression. I want Bennett to do more than a few pullups in a playground.

3) Which centres need to be moved positionally OR out of the organization?
I like Colborne as a #3 guy for now and possibly into the future. Wins faceoffs, is a big guy, has soft touch around the net. Considering the possibility of the team's centre depth being Monahan / Backlund / Colborne / Stajan over the next three years clearly some bodies have to be shuffled. Jooris, Granlund, Byron and Bouma may all be better at wing. Possibly even (thou who shan't be named) Sam Bennett or (thou who shalt be thine best player from the draft in... 8? years) Mark Jankowski.

4) Do the Flames realistically need to acquire another centre in the next 2 seasons?
Realistically - no, but you always need to look at improving the team. If they miss the playoffs and win the draft lottery do I pass on McDavid? No. If the BPA in the 2015 draft is a centre, you take him.

I like this post. I think Backs if the stars align; might end up on Colborne's wing if Bennett shows he's ready for center duties; in let's say 3 years.

Monahan has the pedigree to be a gooder. I think of him as a 1B; but man is he showing 1A qualities,

 

[Calculon]

Can never have enough centres, honestly. Don't think the current situation even warrants a 'conundrum' as of yet.

Backlund and Monahan are bonafide moving forward. Stajan's a stopgap. Bouma's not a centre. Jooris could work as a third or fourth line centre but could be better suited to the wing.

Colborne, Granlund, Byron and Reinhart aren't NHL centres either. They're all better on the wing - Colborne doesn't have a centremen's acumen, Granlund can't win face offs, Byron's too small and Reinhart's likely not good enough.

In the system, Bennet might be better suited to wing as well when it's all said and done. Jankowski's a longterm project so who knows. Arnold looks like a safe bet to be a decent third or fourth line centre; ditto for Shore.

Next season I could see Backlund-Monahan-Bennett with Shore, Arnold and Stajan (if still here) battling it out for the fourth line spot.

 

[Skobel24]

Monahan: Even if Monahan is a 2A, I'm fine with him being the #1. Amazing Two-way game, solid shot, good on the faceoffs, and he's clutch.

Backlund: I'd say he is a #2/3, and I have no problem with him being a top 6 center for the next few seasons. VERY strong two-way game, fast too.

Stajan: IMO, the dream #4. He meshes well with anyone, he hits, blocks shots, provides some offense, great on the PK, and he's a leader. To top it all off, he's a capable #2/3 if injuries occur. Trading him would be a huge mistake. I keep hearing people say they want him traded, but there isn't a single guy that could replace everything he brings. Not yet, anyways. His value wouldn't be much anyways, and it's not like the Flames need to clear that cap space.

Jooris: Capable centerman, but I'd prefer he were on the RW.

Colborne: Similar to Jooris, I'd rather have him on the RW.

Granlund: Simply put, I don't see him having much of a career as a center. Having him play center isn't much different from having Moss or Comeau at center. He's better on the wing, develop him there.

Bouma: Keep him on the LW.

Shore: C/RW. I see him being more of a RW down the road.

Reinhart: I don't think he will be with the Flames for long. I'm hoping he can be a poor mans Glencross on the LW.

Byron: Doubt he's back next year. Love his work ethic, but I see him being the odd man out.

Arnold: Probably the only guy in right now that I could see replacing Stajan in a few seasons. He'll be a damn good bottom 6 center.

I feel like what Calgary needs right now, is a solid #3. Someone who has a strong defensive game, great on faceoffs, and a PK specialist. Can we reincarnate Stephane Yelle? For now, I'd prefer Colby. Raymond and Jooris as his wingers.