I haven't focused on him in game, ever.
I sure like the idea of Vrana-center-Zadina.
Larkin centering a different line.
Problem is, do we have a center to do that? Namestnikov? Fabbri? Rasmussen? Veleno? Filppula? Nielsen? None of those options are appealing at the moment.
Given what caps fans say about his game, I'm really not sure he's going to get a lot of love from Blashill. Though Blashill is WAY more patient with Yzerman acquisitions.
Most of the analysis that I have read suggests that Vrana plays best with with centers that can match his pace. I wouldn't assume Larkin isn't the best fit. But I do like the thought of giving Rasmussen speed on his wing.
If we could manage to get everyone healthy, a top 6 of Larkin and Ras with interchangeable wingers of Bertuzzi, Fabbri, Zadina, and Vrana would be interesting (considering our weak roster). Bertuzzi is the only guy who really doesn't have high end offensive tools, so you will always have someone capable of scoring on a line, whether it is Fabbri, Zadina or Vrana. You can swap out Bertuzzi right now and sub in Svechnikov and have 4 quality shots on the wing. Not that this is any different than it was with Mantha, but still.
Bertuzzi-Larkin-Vrana
Fabbri-Ras-Zadina
Vrana-Larkin-Zadina
Bertuzzi-Ras-Fabbri
Really whichever way you want to set that up (sub Svechnikov) I think it plays reasonably well for our situation. Although I wouldn't be shocked to see Panik end up out of place in the top 6.