Well I ask a simple question. Give PLekanec the #1 spot at center.
Many like Plekanec and some not so much while others are indifferent.
Personally I'm indifferent, I like Plekanec, solid two way player with average size. He's not gonna beat you with brute force, he's gonna beat you with speed trough the transition. What's is role, 1st PP, 1st PK, vs top defensive pairs and most time top lines.
Why I ask, well I have dreamed a bit about the return Plekanec could fetch. Then again, there been some pretty awful proposal involving him. He's been such a honest player that is very underrated by some hab fan and mostly by other teams' fans.
Looking at the wingers we have, he doesn't seem to have the right type of wingers to play with. Cole and Pacioretty are our top wingers but Desharnais is perfect between the two.
Bourque you is the right type of winger, well in theory he is but the result are terrible. I say very little chemistry between the two and that some time is just the way it is.
Gionta is our top winger after Cole and Pacioretty but he too just didn't look great together. Gionta last produce with Gomez , always did and probebly will again.
Hopefully a healthy Gionta will be what the doctor ordered. Then maybe a guy like Bourque will be resurrected and will gel with them and wont be able to take nights off playing with these two.
I'm pretty sure the lines will look like this, unless major changes happens :
Patches - Plekanec - Gionta
Bourque - DD - Cole
That''s the problem, I see DD centering Pacioretty and Cole as the right type of vet presence on that line.
Also, Gionta hasn't played great hockey aside and I'm not convince this will chance.
Bouque? I don't know but he's has played like third line winger but he's a top 6 winger.
Why would Plekanec need a chance? He is the best center and still arguably the best forward on this team. As much as I liked Desharnais' breakthrough last season, no way he's going to lead this team as the no.1 center entering next season.
Plekanec is our most skilled forward (although Pacioretty will soon pass him)...give him Gionta and his production will increase. Like others said, I'd imagine Bourque's production would raise as well, he does have the potential to be a high point-getter. Or even better, sign Doan or another top 6 winger and Plekanec will most likely return to the first line. If the guy can get 52 points with 3rd and 4th liners, he can easily get 60+ when given skilled linemates.
Assuming no new acquisitions, he'll likely start the season with Bourque and Gionta. But you can be sure that as soon as Desharnais shows signs of slowing down, or if our first line simply doesn't click, he'll be right there to take over
Otherwise, leave the first line as is, and get a FA to play on his LW (or get one via trade), or just hope for the best with Bourque
Plekanec simply isn't big enough to be a number 1 center. He would make a great number 2 center. That being said, many teams are in need of a number 2 center so the return would be higher. The habs need to acquire a number 1 centerman!!! Plekanec won't get us that unless we package him with other assets.
If DD's as good as everyone says he is, why not take one of Cole or Pacioretty off his line and add Bourque. Surely the great wizard could turn Bourque into a 35 goal scorer.
Plekanec simply isn't big enough to be a number 1 center. He would make a great number 2 center. That being said, many teams are in need of a number 2 center so the return would be higher. The habs need to acquire a number 1 centerman!!! Plekanec won't get us that unless we package him with other assets.
But our #1 center is much smaller than Pleks. I don't think Pleks' size is the issue. It's the way he plays. He's not a 1st line center, period.
Last edited by hockeyfan2k11: 07-12-2012 at 07:25 AM.
Plekanec simply isn't big enough to be a number 1 center. He would make a great number 2 center. That being said, many teams are in need of a number 2 center so the return would be higher. The habs need to acquire a number 1 centerman!!! Plekanec won't get us that unless we package him with other assets.
I'm still trying to understand how a team (any team) would trade away a #1 center for a #2 in Plekanec. I certainly don't see a team with only one #1. As for teams with 2 #1s I can't think of any other than Pittsburgh, LA (both not happening) and San Jose (from five years ago).
Worst case there's always Galchenyuk (which is by far the most realistic option)
Plekanec simply isn't big enough to be a number 1 center. He would make a great number 2 center. That being said, many teams are in need of a number 2 center so the return would be higher. The habs need to acquire a number 1 centerman!!! Plekanec won't get us that unless we package him with other assets.
Size isnt what makes him a #2 center, its his "lack" of offensive production. #1 centers can hit at least 70 points every season. Pleks is a great two way center who can get points at a secondairy rate. He is a great #2, an average to below #1 offensively
He is the best center and still arguably the best forward on this team. As much as I liked Desharnais' breakthrough last season, no way he's going to lead this team as the no.1 center entering next season.
