Who wouldn't want Eichel, Barkov, or PLD? Of course they would be the 1st targets if they were actually available. You just won't get any of them in their Prime. Who trades that? So I would see what it takes to get guys like Getzlaf or Kopitar. I'm not afraid of their 60-80 pts age 30 seasons. Those guys are not in massive decline but they are playing on struggling teams that may want to rebuild.
There may be another fit and maybe you wait to see what options are at the deadline. Things change from year to year and a player might become available. What about trading our 1st and a B prospect like Ylonen for Getzlaf at the deadline? He is a pending UFA
My point is if you’re going to get a top line center, I wouldn’t bother unless you’re getting a certifiably better one than the ones we have. Kopitar, Getzlaf and the bunch are absolutely on decline and not the players they once were and likely won’t be again. Domi, KK and Suzuki have either shown they can replicate that production or that they can be what those precious centres are now or better and else don’t have to throw away any assets to get them.
Ultimately, neither Getzlaf or Kopitar make us a contender even with Laff as we’re just as bad a team as they’re going on. So if you do land Laff (we won’t) I wouldn’t waste the assets on them. I’d spend more and get a younger, proven asset that will be here longer. If not available, I’d keep the ones we have to grow with Laff moving forward as he’s make them better anyways and we’d have that much more depth and deeper organization for it.
If we don't get Lafreniere, I would be willing to stay patient. But if we do get Lafreniere, I would be very aggressive at making moves to create a more balanced roster. Not looking for a center who produces points only. Looking for a beast that does the assignments well at both ends. Domi is really a puck possession winger that can play center. Not good on faceoffs and not a shutdown center.
Can Domi shelter Lafreniere? Perhaps our best option IMO.
Read above post.
As for Domi sheltering Laff, probably not. But KK and Suzuki have both shown signs that they can, especially if brought along properly. I still have a huge amount of hope in KK’s ability to be a true no. 1 center like a Barkov, Mikki Koivu (in his prime) etc. He may be a few years away but I can see it in him. Suzuki I see as an Yzerman or Sakic light. Has all the tools and can set up players, play d and score goals.
The point is we already have a good set of centres. If we’re going to upgrade, we should actually upgrade and not move sideways with older players on the down side of their careers in hopes of a 2-3 year run and then we have depleted assets and need to rebuild again. Make it count or continue with the retool as is.
