Line Combos: Center position

[lilidk]

Kadri was acquired in a trade and Newhook was a mid first round pick.

At some point will have to make a similar trade to acquire a 2C. Too many defensive prospects, not enough centers.

Newhook fell to AVs because he was seriously injured at the draft, just like Hughes in 2021.

 

[lilidk]

How do we know if we have already Zetterburg 2.0. Savage could be one or Niederbach.
Nashville never had high end Center , but they been good for many years.
If we have playmaking wingers , like Raymond isn't will make easier life for center and guys like Veleno or Savage could be looking good next to players like Raymond

 

[Revenge of Gru]

How do we know if we have already Zetterburg 2.0. Savage could be one or Niederbach.
Nashville never had high end Center , but they been good for many years.
If we have playmaking wingers , like Raymond isn't will make easier life for center and guys like Veleno or Savage could be looking good next to players like Raymond

Nashville is just the kind of mediocre that we're in danger of becoming.

 

[NickH8]

How do we know if we have already Zetterburg 2.0. Savage could be one or Niederbach.
Nashville never had high end Center , but they been good for many years.
If we have playmaking wingers , like Raymond isn't will make easier life for center and guys like Veleno or Savage could be looking good next to players like Raymond

That is not something you hedge your bets on. Niederbach has been fine in the SHL and Savage is putting together a solid year, but next Zetterberg? We do hope we find a late round gem, yes, but you have to understand those are one in a million. You can hope all you want but don't set yourself up for disappointment.

 

[lilidk]

That is not something you hedge your bets on. Niederbach has been fine in the SHL and Savage is putting together a solid year, but next Zetterberg? We do hope we find a late round gem, yes, but you have to understand those are one in a million. You can hope all you want but don't set yourself up for disappointment.

I just say we might have one already, but you correct it is just wish I have.

 

[lilidk]

Nashville is just the kind of mediocre that we're in danger of becoming.

Nashville never had Raymond ,we are going to be better

 

[Gniwder]

Nashville is just the kind of mediocre that we're in danger of becoming.

They made the finals, I'd settle for that.

 

[Pavels Dog]

Consensus is that most of those centers project as wingers at the NHL level.

Which seems normal for every single draft. Yet there's always centers to be found. This same story will happen in 2023, 2024, 2025.. "there are plenty of centers in next draft", and then leading up to the draft "most of them project as wingers". That's because the lower the level the more playing center is just about who is the most skilled player. Then at age 17-19 the competition tightens, some start playing at the pro or college level, and playing center becomes a lot more difficult and the guys who are playing center, producing at a high level and don't have any massive flaws end up in the top 5-ish of the draft.

Still, there's going to be players drafted later who end up as good or even great NHL centers. It's up to Yzerman & Co. to find them.

 

[Revenge of Gru]

They made the finals, I'd settle for that.

No thanks. Losing the final sucks worse than not making it at all. The loss in 2009 is what broke this fan base and made it so delusional.

 

[Revenge of Gru]

Nashville never had Raymond ,we are going to be better

Nashville has had alot more pieces than we have. We're years away from being as good as they typically have been.

 

[lilidk]

Nashville has had alot more pieces than we have. We're years away from being as good as they typically have been.

About 3 years And Bertuzzi going to be the oldest player we have. Veleno, Rasmussen, Zadina in their prime , Seider compete for Norris, Raymond with 100 points season and Blashil still behind the bench,,,,

 

[Revenge of Gru]

About 3 years And Bertuzzi going to be the oldest player we have. Veleno, Rasmussen, Zadina in their prime , Seider compete for Norris, Raymond with 100 points season and Blashil still behind the bench,,,,

In 3 years Bert won't be a Red Wing. We don't know what the primes of Veleno, Zadina and Rasmussen look like. Manybe one or more can be a top 6 player. Maybe not. Yzerman probably will have traded some or all of them anyway.
I'm optimistic about Raymond but he still isn't a player you can pencil in for 100 points. He is really small and the league will know him. We will see if he can adapt.
Seider is the most promising piece we have but his offense will have to pick up a ton to be considered for the Norris. I'm not saying that can't happen but he hasn't shown it thus far.
We will see how it goes but after last offseason I have very little confidence in Yzerman. There will be further disappointments. Prospects will bist. Injuries will happen. Hopefully Yzerman can limit the blunders.