Without drafting them it’s real tough. Philly at least is a franchise players choose to go to via free agency, or even waving trade clauses for, but even at that, it’s still hard signing one and then how old are they?
They have to start drafting Cs with top picks but that’s easier said than done sometimes too. So what do you do with these high picks if you don’t feel there’s a potential #1 C to draft? Draft Top young dmen. Build from the blue line out. Overdraft them. It’ll take longer because Dmen take longer to develop, but then you’ll have many opportunities through trades, as teams will always pay a premium for really good, young Dmen. A premium they won’t pay for most wingers.
Anaheim and Detroit have both gone with this theory in many ways. Now, it’s also worked out where they also have some top C prospects too, but both of those teams, by investing in so many good young dmen, will be in positions to make big trades for premium talent up front, as long as these Dmen keep developing like they are. Obviously Anaheim already made one of those deals with Philly. You can’t do that drafting a bunch of wingers.
Thing is, it does take time without hitting on a lottery pick, and unfortunately fans and media aren’t the most patient. For example, if they don’t draft one to develop in the 1st Rd this year, it’s just going to push things further out into the future. If they do draft one this year, he’s likely 3-4 years away. Hard sell to an impatient media and fanbase.
They simply have to start biting that bullet though, cause they’re not gonna magically appear.