Does PLD have true 1C potential?

[Axeman33]

This is not a fantasy hockey question but a real life hockey question.

An interesting read on The Athletic where Ray Ferraro, Keith Jones and Mike Johnson discuss, in their opinion, if he ever reaches the level that garners being recognized as a true 1C.

What is your thoughts on Dubios? Do you think he ever fills out to that 1C potential?

[lucafen4]

I guess this depends on the definition of a true #1. A guy that you rely on in the last min of the game on both sides of the score sheet. A solid two way player A top point producer on the team & leader.

Does he ever reach status like Thornton/Kopitar/Barkov/Bergeron?

I've avoiding the true elite C's for obvious reasons

Do we consider someone like ROR or Couturier a true #1C?

Personally I think he ends up falling in that #1B category - more like a Pavelski, Monahan, Horvat

[2014olympicgold]

True #1 centre is an odd thing to answer. Because Bozak was a #1 center with the Leafs because of his ability to play with talent on his wings, and the ability to win faceoffs/play defensive on the Leafs team.

Will PLD be a top 31/32 center? Prolly. I'll say that like 20-32 range. The bottom 1/3 of top centres. He's that No1 center on teams built like the blue jackets. He's a No2 or No3 center on a team built with offense.

[Axeman33]

True #1 centre is an odd thing to answer. Because Bozak was a #1 center with the Leafs because of his ability to play with talent on his wings, and the ability to win faceoffs/play defensive on the Leafs team.

Will PLD be a top 31/32 center? Prolly. I'll say that like 20-32 range. The bottom 1/3 of top centres. He's that No1 center on teams built like the blue jackets. He's a No2 or No3 center on a team built with offense.

To me, you DID answer the question.

[lucafen4]

True #1 centre is an odd thing to answer. Because Bozak was a #1 center with the Leafs because of his ability to play with talent on his wings, and the ability to win faceoffs/play defensive on the Leafs team.

Will PLD be a top 31/32 center? Prolly. I'll say that like 20-32 range. The bottom 1/3 of top centres. He's that No1 center on teams built like the blue jackets. He's a No2 or No3 center on a team built with offense.

Ahh... but he was a #1C on default. Not because you couldn't replace him. Well.... Burke/Nonis couldn't - but that's beside the point.

For me a TRUE #1C is a guy you move to any other team and he's the #1C or creates a Matthews/Tavares or Crosby/Malkin situation. You move Bozak in his 'prime' to Pitts - he's clearly a #3C... In TB four years ago he's behind Stamkos & T. Johnson. It took Babcock to create a trust situation for Kadri to become valuable and reliable enough to move to a #2 role. I doubt anyone would argue against Kadri > Bozak at their peaks.... but no one will argue Kadri is a 'true #1C' or perhaps even a #1C at all.

[2014olympicgold]

Ya, the Bozak example is to point out the difference between #1 center, and top 31/32 center.

I like the top 31/32 ranking over No1 center. Because in my head, Matthews/Tavares, Matthews is the No1 center. But both are top 31/32 centers.