At what cost now and in the future? We just drafted a diminutive offensive Dman with our first round pick. Sure he helps for a couple of seasons but that might cost us a good 5-6 dman in 3 seasons, a top four in 5. Or possibly a top 9forward. Also, those numbers come with a price moving forward. I’d just rather they not acquire him to fill a hole and plant seeds instead.
- golfingsince

Hughes + Hutton or Juolevi for Krug

I don't think Beagle is playing 4 th line . I think he will be third line center .
- VANTEL

It'll be interesting to see if Pettersson can come in and slide into the center position, if he does, that'll push Sutter and Beagle down the lineup. I suspect Pettersson will start on the wing and then transition into the middle, at least I hope.

That kid is gonna be a star in the league, pretty excited about seeing him this fall!!

It'll be interesting to see if Pettersson can come in and slide into the center position, if he does, that'll push Sutter and Beagle down the lineup. I suspect Pettersson will start on the wing and then transition into the middle, at least I hope.

That kid is gonna be a star in the league, pretty excited about seeing him this fall!!
- LeftCoaster

EP can slide into the center role but no way he is top center this year. That takes years .

Because our GM is the biggest idiot in the league trying to shortcut the building process to keep his owner happy, that's why
- LeftCoaster

That’s kind of the way it looks unfortunately

EP can slide into the center role but noway he is top center this year. That takes years .
- VANTEL

With our depth it's likely he's already our number 2 center.

With our depth it's likely he's already our number 2 center.
- Pres.cup

He’s a top six player for sure, it’s just a matter of what position. If he opens at 3 /4 C then I immediately have coaching concerns

EP can slide into the center role but no way he is top center this year. That takes years .
- VANTEL

On the Canucks perhaps he can move into that position in the second half of the year, or sooner, if he does really well. I suspect (hope like hell) he shows really well and suplants Sutter and Beagle to their rightful bottom six positions.

He’s a top six player for sure, it’s just a matter of what position. If he opens at 3 /4 C then I immediately have coaching concerns
- golfingsince

Boeser came in and within a month he was a top six player for the Canucks, I know the wing is easier to play but I'm hoping Pettersson can do the same.

It'll be interesting to see if Pettersson can come in and slide into the center position, if he does, that'll push Sutter and Beagle down the lineup. I suspect Pettersson will start on the wing and then transition into the middle, at least I hope.

That kid is gonna be a star in the league, pretty excited about seeing him this fall!!
- LeftCoaster

If the team was serious about the kid being a #1 center versus selling tickets and jerseys they'd start him in the AHL.

7 games as a center since being drafted. That's all. His Swedish team didn't move him to the middle until garbage time of the season and he was a winger against his peers at the WJC.

I don't see a lot of #1 centers, let a lone top 6 C's, who started on the wing. They usually stay there. It took Seguin almost a decade to handle actual #1 center duties instead of having Benn/Spezza/Eakin sub in for him on draws and matchups. Granlund moved back to the wing in Minny last year as quickly as he moved to center two years ago.

Dubois is the only one and returns were fine, although it doesn't hurt to ride shotgun for Panarin, but he spent his D+1 season playing center full time.

Brayden Point might be a good comparable, but even then he got to hide behind Stamkos-Kucherov, Johnson-Palat, Filpula and others ahead of him in the lineup while having Brian Boyle take a lot of the defensive responsibility on his line.

He’s foundational, not cornerstone. The two are completely different. Christ, you don’t know anything about architecture.
- CubanBuffet

You are a man.

If the team was serious about the kid being a #1 center versus selling tickets and jerseys they'd start him in the AHL.

7 games as a center since being drafted. That's all. His Swedish team didn't move him to the middle until garbage time of the season and he was a winger against his peers at the WJC.

I don't see a lot of #1 centers, let a lone top 6 C's, who started on the wing. They usually stay there. It took Seguin almost a decade to handle actual #1 center duties instead of having Benn/Spezza/Eakin sub in for him on draws and matchups. Granlund moved back to the wing in Minny last year as quickly as he moved to center two years ago.

Dubois is the only one and returns were fine, although it doesn't hurt to ride shotgun for Panarin, but he spent his D+1 season playing center full time.

Brayden Point might be a good comparable, but even then he got to hide behind Stamkos-Kucherov, Johnson-Palat, Filpula and others ahead of him in the lineup while having Brian Boyle take a lot of the defensive responsibility on his line.
- Lindenis#1

Not sure I agree with that, each case is on an individual basis. Some kids can handle it and others never can. My wishes are just that, wishing and praying that he can play the position at the NHL level.

He was a league MVP last year in the Swedish Elite league, somewhat comparable to the AHL in some opinions, I have no doubt the kid can play in the NHL right now, whether or not it's on the wing or at center will be determined in the next few months.

If the team was serious about the kid being a #1 center versus selling tickets and jerseys they'd start him in the AHL.

7 games as a center since being drafted. That's all. His Swedish team didn't move him to the middle until garbage time of the season and he was a winger against his peers at the WJC.

I don't see a lot of #1 centers, let a lone top 6 C's, who started on the wing. They usually stay there. It took Seguin almost a decade to handle actual #1 center duties instead of having Benn/Spezza/Eakin sub in for him on draws and matchups. Granlund moved back to the wing in Minny last year as quickly as he moved to center two years ago.

Dubois is the only one and returns were fine, although it doesn't hurt to ride shotgun for Panarin, but he spent his D+1 season playing center full time.

Brayden Point might be a good comparable, but even then he got to hide behind Stamkos-Kucherov, Johnson-Palat, Filpula and others ahead of him in the lineup while having Brian Boyle take a lot of the defensive responsibility on his line.
- Lindenis#1

BTW - Tyler Seguin is only 26 years old, he started last year as a 25 year old. Not sure where you're getting the "decade" from?

He was a number one center with Dallas his fourth year in the league as a 21 year old. He's played eight years in the league, five of them as a #1 center.

You are a man.
- Marwood

Well yeah. Isn’t it just a giant ongoing sausage party in here?

BTW - Tyler Seguin is only 26 years old, he started last year as a 25 year old. Not sure where you're getting the "decade" from?

He was a number one center with Dallas his fourth year in the league as a 21 year old.
- LeftCoaster

Wow is he that young? I felt like he was 28.

He was not the number one center. Dude played a lot of time on the wing his first while in Dallas. #1 centers don't take less than 600 faceoffs in a season.

He nearly won more faceoffs last year (790) than his previous career high in total faceoffs (860 in 15-16).

Wow is he that young? I felt like he was 28.

He was not the number one center. Dude played a lot of time on the wing his first while in Dallas. #1 centers don't take less than 600 faceoffs in a season.

He nearly won more faceoffs last year (790) than his previous career high in total faceoffs (860 in 15-16).
- Lindenis#1

All young guys have trouble with faceoffs early in their careers, that doesn't mean he's not their number one center. Crosby was terrible at faceoffs when he came into the league, doesn't mean he wasn't Pittsburghs #1 center, he was.

Pettersson might need the team to sub someone in to take some pressure off him on the dot as well, just part of the curve.

All young guys have trouble with faceoffs early in their careers, that doesn't mean he's not their number one center. Crosby was terrible at faceoffs when he came into the league, doesn't mean he wasn't Pittsburghs #1 center, he was.
- LeftCoaster

He still took the faceoffs. His coach wasn't regularly lining him up on the wing so a frankenstein version of his line could start the play until the substitute was able to make a change.

Sid's first year was over 1000 and took 1600 draws in year two.

He still took the faceoffs. His coach wasn't regularly lining him up on the wing so a frankenstein version of his line could start the play until the substitute was able to make a change.

Sid's first year was over 1000 and took 1600 draws in year two.
- Lindenis#1

My point is just because they take some pressure off of kids and sub someone in doesn't mean you're not a center. It's a hard position to play/learn.

I'm hoping Pettersson can be a true number one center, this franchise has only ever had one in their history, hopefully he can be the second.

No pressure

My point is just because they take some pressure off of kids and sub someone in doesn't mean you're not a center. It's a hard position to play/learn.

I'm hoping Pettersson can be a true number one center, this franchise has only ever had one in their history, hopefully he can be the second.

No pressure
- LeftCoaster

My point is that if you're really a center, you generally play there. A lot of drafted centers are given the "start on the wing" plan and never, ever leave it. Coaches care too much about winning today instead of winning tomorrow.

Putting someone with 7 games of center experience in the last year at center where he can actually play it freely is better than being a winger where the focus, from the coach and the player, is more likely going to be about survival.

The entire rebuild hinges on EP. If EP is a winger this team is (frank)ed.

I'm genuinely exciting about one Canucks prospect and you're trying to take the wind out of my sails, I can't win with this franchise

Boeser came in and within a month he was a top six player for the Canucks, I know the wing is easier to play but I'm hoping Pettersson can do the same.
- LeftCoaster

I think he can crack it as a top 6 wing, playing C is a different animal.

My point is that if you're really a center, you generally play there. A lot of drafted centers are given the "start on the wing" plan and never, ever leave it. Coaches care too much about winning today instead of winning tomorrow.

Putting someone with 7 games of center experience in the last year at center where he can actually play it freely is better than being a winger where the focus, from the coach and the player, is more likely going to be about survival.

The entire rebuild hinges on EP. If EP is a winger this team is (frank)ed.
- Lindenis#1

As you brought up Seguin, I'll continue with that train of thought, he played wing his first year in Boston, it worked out for him. Wherever they put Pettersson, he's going to succeed, he's just too good not to. I'm just hoping it's at center.

Please God

I think he can crack it as a top 6 wing, playing C is a different animal.
- golfingsince

You only have to drive the bus offensively and defensively for everyone on the ice at once.

I think he can crack it as a top 6 wing, playing C is a different animal.
- golfingsince

He'll need some insulating if he plays center but that's to be expected.

I think Willy Nylander can play C. He’s still really young and i’d Take a flyer on him if he became available.

I’m kinda curious to see if Gaunce can step up his game. It’s definitely a make or break year for him.
- golfingsince

Lol