5 Centers, But Only 4 Lines

by CT Flyers Fan on Jul 21, 2010 5:17 PM EDT

When the season ended I was confident that the Flyers would trade either Briere or Carter given Briere's performance in the playoffs. If there was any doubt regarding his skills, I believe they were alleviated given that he led the NHL in playoff scoring. He scored a number of clutch goals and his line was nothing short of dominate in the finals. In fact, if not for that line, it would have been a sweep. However, he of course accumulated those points while playing center which was only possible because of Carter's injuries. Of course, when Carter returned, his play at the wing left a lot to be desired and it appeared clear that he needs to be at center. When factoring in the fact that Richards, Giroux, and Betts are the other three established centers (and none of them appear to be as effective at wing), I figured that either Briere or Carter had to go. Apparently I was wrong since Gagne is now on Tampa, we have 8 NHL level d-men, and Leighton is still our starter.

I know some people are saying that there may be another domino to fall, and I guess things would look better if Homer is able to acquire Turco. I think he would be an idea fit with a two year contract given that he's been an above average goalie his entire career and would presumably be highly motivated to finally get his name on the cup. However, and back to my original thought, I'm now wondering which natural center will be forced to once again play wing. If it isn't clear that both Briere and Carter are FAR more effective at center than wing, it never will be. Given how much they are paying both of these guys next year (and probably even more the following year when Carter presumably gets a new deal), something has to give.

What does everyone think? Am I missing something here?

Poll

Which of the following natural centers will have to play wing next year?

Mike Richards

6 votes

Claude Giroux

35 votes

Jeff Carter

58 votes

Danny Briere

7 votes

None of the above because another trade is forthcoming

12 votes

118 votes | Poll has closed

This item was written by a member of this community and is not necessarily endorsed by Broad Street Hockey.

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Comments

You said will have to play wing, not who i want to play wing. So I voted Giroux, b/c I feel he will be forced there . Just trying my crystal ball out.

Is this the right room for an argument?

by DLJr on Jul 21, 2010 5:25 PM EDT reply actions

Giroux isn’t a natural center is he? I thought he didn’t play center until this year but he is great at it. One of our centers (betts) is out for 4 months so that means Powe (if resigned) will be the fourth line center. That doesn’t resolve the issue of having 4 guys that can play center on top 3 lines.

by historywillbemade on Jul 21, 2010 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions

I said Giroux for the basic reason he has the skill set to be a really good winger that the others just don’t have. Briere can do it but for the last time he is just head and shoulders a ten times better center and he needs to large wingers to be even more productive.

Just Call Me "M"!

by MJDII on Jul 21, 2010 9:46 PM EDT reply actions

I’m going with Carter for a lot of the obvious reasons.

1. That’s where they put him when he came back from injury in the Finals.
2. He tried playing there a couple of times during the regular season.
3. He is not a third line center! He’s a first or second line center and those are not going to change with Briere and Richards taking them up.
4. He has a better skill set for a winger than any of the other centers.

"Chris Pronger sneaked in the back door...banged it home."

Flyers Television Play-by-Play Man: Jim Jackson

by Psy09 on Jul 22, 2010 9:02 AM EDT reply actions

1. I think they put him there in the finals b/c he was injured and it would be easier at that time to fit him in to a role that is less physically taxing (wing). Also, I don’t think they wanted to mess with the production they were getting from thei current centers. He was the odd man out at that time, leaving him at wing. I still think the organization views Carter as a center (granted I disagree with them)

3. There is no really 1st, 2nd, and 3rd line on this team. The lines will all get different minutes every night depending on match ups and who’s hot. A 3rd line, let’s say of JVR-Carter-Giroux, may end up playing the most minutes any given night. As long as the Flyers want to roll out 3 lines that can score, you will always have too much talent on a “3rd line” and not enough talent on the “1st line” b/c in essence, you are left with 3 “2nd lines”.

All this said, I would prefer carter with Richards on the first line if he is effective there. I agree his game is suited for the wing. I just don’t see either happening.

Is this the right room for an argument?

by DLJr on Jul 22, 2010 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Carter for the simplest reason. He is the largest player of the group and can play the wall better than the others. Additionally he has the only skillset of the group that can translate into scoring off the wing, he can fire a shot like only a few NHLers can. Play him next to his good friend Richards. Briere and Giroux are shifty players that get lost on the wing.

Phigment

by Phigment on Jul 24, 2010 3:05 PM EDT reply actions