I think Jordan Staal was widely regarded as the best shutdown center in the NHL for the past 4 years. Atleast he was IMO. Now that he'll be a 2C on the Canes, who takes his place as the best 3rd Line Center in the NHL?
Being a Hawks fan I get to watch Dave Bolland for 82 games and I think he's been one of the best for about 3 years.
Lol Bergeron says hi. Also I believe Staal was Pitts second line center last season. I'm sure his minutes would agree.
Pretty much these 3 I think... at least, I figure on a cup team, these 3 would probably be 3Cs (I think O'Reilly could be a #2 on a cup team but that's just me). Brian Boyle is another good one, is Couturier 3rd line in Philly?
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Couturier, Bolland, whichever of the 3 Avs players lines up there, I think one guy who's being overlooked here is Kyle Brodziak though. He should be in the conversation.
What is kind of funny, is that before this trade, I doubt more than 1 or two people would have even mentioned Sutter in a thread like this..and those would have been Canes fans who would be called homers.
I usually roll my eyes at the AINEC posts, but I agree this time. None of the other guys being listed, Sutter Bolland etc. have cracked 50 points. 37 points for Bolland, 32 for Sutter, compared to 55 for O'Reilly. O'Reilly, Duchene, and Stastny all did this year or have in the past, whichever one of those guys you want to call Colorado's 3rd line center is the best in the league, hands down.
I usually roll my eyes at the AINEC posts, but I agree this time. None of the other guys being listed, Sutter Bolland etc. have cracked 50 points. 37 points for Bolland, 32 for Sutter, compared to 55 for O'Reilly. O'Reilly, Duchene, and Stastny all did this year or have in the past, whichever one of those guys you want to call Colorado's 3rd line center is the best in the league, hands down.
Why bring up points as the end all be all of ranking shutdown centers? It's certainly important in determining the "best" but it shouldn't be a deciding factor.
Bolland made his name by shutting down the Sedins in the playoffs and by going up against the other teams best offensive talent and shutting them down. Has ROR done the same?
@the guy who said Bergeron...Bergeron isn't a shutdown center. He's the best center/two way player in Boston and I think he's been in the bruins top 6 for years now
no.
