Is any team in the league as prepared for the long-term future down the middle as NJ?

[Hischier and Hughes]

** mainly discussing top-6 **

I see a lot about how center tends to be the most important position when discussing value and building a contender. NJ has so happened to win two by luck (1st overalls).

Without sitting down to check every team and their potential picks - is any team as set for the future down the middle as NJ?

1st overall in 2017 - Nico Hischier.

People comment on if he was worth the pick or who theyd redraft - but that doesnt chsnge how impressive Hischier has been at 18-20 years old. Hitting 52 and pacing 55 on an injury riddled team while being the teams only even player (team had -52 differential). All as the 1C!

1st overall in 2019 - Jack Hughes

A consensus #1 pick for almost four years now, Hughes is as close to a modern day firecracker as you can get. Hes an offensive dynamo breaking records left and right. His playstyle is exciting as well as his ability to make plays every time he has the puck. Best offensive potential from the draft since McDavid and Matthews.

Now also add in how well they complement each others skillsets and having two 1Cs down the middle - Id be hard pressed to find a better, young duo down the middle. Not to mention theyre only 20 and 17!!

What are your thoughts?

Click to read more...

 

[Hischier and Hughes]

Off the top of my head - id imagine Colorado takes a center in Turcotte possibly? Will Edmonton trade up or run Draisaitl as 2C?

Florida has Barkov Trochek and theyre damn good.

 

[WillTheThrill]

Matthews/Tavares ain’t bad.

 

[Westcoastsniper]

Canucks with Petterson as their 1c, Horvat as 2c, either one of Gaudette or Madden as 3c / 4c.

Pettersson and Horvat are self-explanatory. Gaudette and Madden are still unproven, but the 2nd half of last season Gaudette took a step forward and showed moments where he can produce. If he can take another step this year, he'll be the 3c going forward. Madden showed great potential in his freshman year of college even having a better year than some 1st rounders in the same draft. Also showed pretty well at the WJC. We'll see what he can accomplish moving forward.

 

[Hischier and Hughes]

Matthews/Tavares ain’t bad.

Tavares is 29 turning 30, i wouldnt include John when discussing long term future (which ill add to the title for clarification)

 

[Hischier and Hughes]

Canucks with Petterson as their 1c, Horvat as 2c, either one of Gaudette or Madden as 3c / 4c.

Pettersson and Horvat are self-explanatory. Gaudette and Madden are still unproven, but the 2nd half of last season Gaudette took a step forward and showed moments where he can produce. If he can take another step this year, he'll be the 3c going forward. Madden showed great potential in his freshman year of college even having a better year than some 1st rounders in the same draft. Also showed pretty well at the WJC. We'll see what he can accomplish moving forward.

If were includibg 3-4C, id certainly take Zachas still skyhigh potential as hes already a 3C defensively (our Zajac replacement)

Horvat < Hischier IMO which makes Bo the lowest of the four

 

[Canes]

Wait until Hughes actually does something in the NHL before making a thread like this.

And even if Hughes becomes a perennial All-Star, New Jersey is going nowhere with that tire fire of a defense.

 

[goonybird]

Yes.

Edmonton
Tampa Bay
Toronto
Florida
Buffalo
Winnipeg

just to name a few that are as good or better

 

[Hischier and Hughes]

Yes.

Edmonton
Tampa Bay
Toronto
Florida
Buffalo
Winnipeg

just to name a few that are as good or better

Buffalo? Toronto’s 1C is too old for this conversation. Winnipeg... Really?

The others are good choices

 

[Hischier and Hughes]

Wait until Hughes actually does something in the NHL before making a thread like this.

And even if Hughes becomes a perennial All-Star, New Jersey is going nowhere with that tire fire of a defense.

Why would that matter? Its about preparation im not saying ‘does NJ have the best center depth in the league’

How many teams have a Hughes-level talent as their 2C? And one thats turning 18 lol

 

[goonybird]

Buffalo? Toronto’s 1C is too old for this conversation. Winnipeg... Really?

The others are good choices

I think
Eichel, Reinhart, Mittelstadt
Scheifele and Roslovic
are pretty good combinations for the future

Toronto you could have Marner Matthews Nylander if you think Tavares is too old.

 

[Hischier and Hughes]

I think
Eichel, Reinhart, Mittelstadt
Scheifele and Roslovic
are pretty good combinations for the future

Fair enough, I wouldnt put Reinhart above Hischier in a year or two but thats just me personally.

And come on now, Roslovic doesnt touch either of the Devils. Thats a major stretch to have a 25 pt guy whos 2-4 years older

 

[The Crypto Guy]

What an odd thread. There are a bunch of teams that have good 1/2 young centers.

And now you're getting all offended because the thread isn't turning out how you liked.

 

[780il]

Mcdavid/Draisaitl is easily the best.

Mackinnon/4th pick, also a very very good young 1-2 punch assuming they take a center

Barkov/Trocheck, and Eichel/Mitts are two more that are young and just as good if not better.

 

[Alwalys]

Tavares is 29 turning 30, i wouldnt include John when discussing long term future (which ill add to the title for clarification)

29 isn't old Jesus christ

 

[Hischier and Hughes]

What an odd thread. There are a bunch of teams that have good 1/2 young centers.

And now you're getting all offended because the thread isn't turning out how you liked.

Were having perfectly fine conversation and the only post here that is offended seems to be you

Go ahead, name the teams hot shot

 

[NyQuil]

There really are a plethora of "look at how good my team is in this one area" threads lately.

Speaking of which, "Is any team in the league more flush with 22 year old Latvian left wingers as Ottawa?"

 

[Hischier and Hughes]

29 isn't old Jesus christ

For the LONG TERM FUTURE? You realize in 7-10 years Tavares is retiring right? While Hischier and Hughes will be not even 30?

 

[Hischier and Hughes]

There really are a plethora of "look at how good my team is in this one area" threads lately.

It is the off season to be fair. Not much to discuss other than what us fans are excited for (especially non playoff teams)

 

[Peasy]

For the LONG TERM FUTURE? You realize in 7-10 years Tavares is retiring right? While Hischier and Hughes will be not even 30?

And you know a lot can change in 7-10 years, right?

 

[Hischier and Hughes]

Mcdavid/Draisaitl is easily the best.

Mackinnon/4th pick, also a very very good young 1-2 punch assuming they take a center

Barkov/Trocheck, and Eichel/Mitts are two more that are young and just as good if not better.

Id be fine including Draisaitl if he played their consistently. But doesnt he slide to wing for almost half the season? And what happened to RNH as 2C, thatd probably constitute a discussion as well

 

[Hischier and Hughes]

And you know a lot can change in 7-10 years, right?

Okay but here we are today, May 5th, discussing the rosters as we know them now

So what changes are made really doesnt pertain to this thread

 

[780il]

Id be fine including Draisaitl if he played their consistently. But doesnt he slide to wing for almost half the season? And what happened to RNH as 2C, thatd probably constitute a discussion as well

Well the plan and what everyone wants to do is play Draisaitl on the 2nd line. That is the way we are set up the best for success. But the lack of (any) good wingers is apparent. Both Mcdavid and Leon both take a huge hit when playing away from each other due to the shitty linemates, Leon a lot moreso. Connor always has one of Nuge or Drai with him which leaves one of the two as the poor sucker centering the 2nd line with the likes of Lucic/Puljujarvi/Gagner etc.

 

[Trap Jesus]

Hughes might not even be a center.

Teams like Tampa and Toronto have an elite, relatively young veteran and an elite young center in their top 6.

Florida is also interesting game with Barkov and Trochek. Not as good as the other 2, but they're younger overall.

 

[dubey]

Tavares is 29 turning 30, i wouldnt include John when discussing long term future (which ill add to the title for clarification)

29 year-old grandpa Tavares

lol

Marner/Nylander/Kadri either can or do play centre as well

This thread is bizarre