ANewHope
Nuggets|Avs|Broncos
- May 26, 2011
- 2,295
- 864
IMO I think Tampa could have won without Kuch last year, and they basically won without Stamkos. You have to have multiple pieces and they have to be good, but there are pieces that are basically non-negotiable... 1-2C (and 3C is becoming more important) 1D and 1G. You can get away with other strengths, but those pieces are key.
Typically, if a wing is clearly your best player, you don't win Cups. A big part of that today is the modern cap world. Top end wings demand more money than 1D and just under 1C... yet their impact on the game is typically lower than both. Once you get good, cap space becomes a priority and that extra pay over more impactful players causes issues. IMO it is better to split 12m with 7m to 2C and 5m to 3C than 12m to 1W (like Panarin).
I wouldn't say Edmonton had insane center depth... the had McDavid and Drai with some 4th line guys (and Drai plays wing a lot). Same with Matthews/Tavares. To have insane center depth you need a strong 1-2-3 rotation in today's NHL. Tampa, Washington, and Pittsburgh all had strong center rotations. Chicago has always been solid (even in their weakest year they have Richards and Vermette as 2-3s with Kruger as the 4). LA was really strong down the middle with Kopi, Carter and Richards. You just don't win without center depth, and your 1C or 1D better be your best player.
Yeah I said without Stamkos they needed Point. If they didn't have Point or Stamkos I don't think they win. I just think it's ridiculous to think they could have won without Kucherov. We'll have to agree to disagree but I think that's absurd. He had 32 points in 23 games. 34 in 25 the year before that. Even if you don't think production matters ... that's a gigantic loss.
I think C's just tend to be better on average. I think when players are young and above there peers it makes sense to stick them down the middle. So I'd agree on average your best player is far more likely to be your C and it's a more valuable position. I'd trade one of Rants/Landeskog for an elite C right now. Just saying you need the defense, bottom 6, and wings as well. Chicago isn't Chicago without Kane, and Washington doesn't win without Ovy.
Honestly even the Kings. People love to mention Doughty/Koptitar/Quick for good reason ... but Brown/Williams are very forgotten at this point. Even Gaborik. Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't Gaborik lead them in goals during the 2nd cup? I know Brown was tied for the lead in points the first cup while being there leader and hitting everything that moved. Justin Williams had how many clutch plays? They don't win without Brown/Williams. We've seen them with an elite Doughty/Kopitar and none of the surrounding pieces.
I bet you 98% of NHL teams trade there top 4 C's for Edmonton's and Toronto's top 2.