How would you use all these centres?

[Weave]

 Not a single prototype 1C on that list (maybe a young guy steps up eventually). And yes I am including Thompson when I state that.  Depth is really damned good to have, but solving the issue of how to deploy our depth becomes quite challenging without that typical 1C.

Unless a couple of pieces get moved for a more prototypical 1C, we might as well handle this as a platoon, with centers rotating through as opponents and game conditions change.  I suppose this is workable as long as we continue to drive play making through the best top 4 defenders in the league.  But if 1 of those 4 goes down, I don’t know how successful the forward set is without that high end protoype play driver/ play maker for the featured offensive line.

[Mr. MVP]

2 hours ago, Weave said:

 Not a single prototype 1C on that list (maybe a young guy steps up eventually). And yes I am including Thompson when I state that.  Depth is really damned good to have, but solving the issue of how to deploy our depth becomes quite challenging without that typical 1C.

Unless a couple of pieces get moved for a more prototypical 1C, we might as well handle this as a platoon, with centers rotating through as opponents and game conditions change.  I suppose this is workable as long as we continue to drive play making through the best top 4 defenders in the league.  But if 1 of those 4 goes down, I don’t know how successful the forward set is without that high end protoype play driver/ play maker for the featured offensive line.

Would you consider Robert Thomas a prototype 1C?  
And if Norris could stay healthy and get back to his peak, he’d make a solid 1C.  

[dudacek]

Nick Suzuki strikes me as something Konsta Helenius could aspire to.

Similar draft profile and game.

https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=187477

[BullBuchanan]

On 5/22/2026 at 9:22 AM, DarthEbriate said:

Opening night 5-on-5 ice time, not how they'll be numbered:

Benson - Norris - Doan
Thompson - Östlund - Krebs/Kulich (I play TNT on LW so he can come off the boards on his forehand)
Zucker - McLeod - Quinn
Malenstyn - Carrick - Greenway

Trade candidates: nearly everyone except Benson & Doan
ROC: Helenius, Kozak (likely lost - prioritize keeping him as 13/14 over Dunne), Dunne, Danforth (or LTIR)

 

You have Helenius in Rochester?

[PerreaultForever]

On 5/22/2026 at 8:24 AM, Brawndo said:

Helenius is starting with the team imo 

McLeod has been mentioned as a trade candidate. I do not agree with that though. 

I am very high on Helenius and thinks he starts as well. 

Now McLeod as a trade item is intriguing. He wasn't great in the playoffs and he is aging (comparatively) so one of Krebs/McLeod maybe should be moved in a deal. 

There are too many bodies if you use the kids so some have to go. I think Dunne is done (best chirp of the playoffs was Jeannot looking at him and yelling "what have you done?" ). Maybe as an extra since he fights but likely waived and definitely if they keep 3 goalies. Danforth no idea. Didn't play. Don't know what shape he will be in so I guess we say gone as well. Don't think you can shed Greenway so it's Greenway Carrick-Malentstyn (if signed) on the 4th 

Thompson as a wing so if your top 3 are Norris, Östlund, Helenius in some order there's just no room for McLeod. 

[Rusty P Viaduct]

Tuch gone

Thompson to the off wing on top 6 line like he plays on the PP

Tough for me to separate Doan and Benson. Need to find the correct centre for them with one who can feed Thompson.two top 6 lines. 

I'd see if the 3 young foreigners can handle a 3rd line assignment together and be XG positive. They could grow into a top 6.

I'm not interested in overpaying for anyone who did not want to be here last April- dead to me: see how much you like losing 50 games in STL.