HockeyThoughts
Delivering The Truth
Nicklas Backstrom is a great defensive center...I've always thought the ONE PIECE they needed more than anything was a two-way C to handle the Crosbys, Malkins, Girouxs and Stamkos of the world. Backstrom is a solid offensive No. 1 on his own, but he doesn't have the defensive game of Toews, Kopitar, Bergeron, etc. Scoring has never been a HUGE issue; they're good enough to win series with their collective forward group, but they don't have the defensive horses needed to win. I happen to think biting the bullet when players like Ryan Kesler, Eric/Jordan Staal, Travis Zajac, etc. were available in their primes would have made a slight difference.
That, and they acquired Kevin Shattenkirk to play him on the third pairing to hide Brooks Orpik's deficiencies. That's more to do with Barry Trotz. They have everything else you need honestly.
The problem has always been the #2 center spot.