Poitras is an interesting possibility long term at center and he’s probably the best center prospect we’ve had in a while, but he really needs time. I do think last year was a good sign of improvement though I wish the team would have been better.

I wouldn’t sleep on Lysell. If he shows like he did at the beginning of the year, I can see him in the top 6.

I still believe that DeBrusk / Zacha / Pasta should be one of the lines. It’s the line where skill sets complement each other the best

Whose "we" you refer to?

I dont want Poitras play 1C because it's setting him up for failure. I don't want Greer even on the NHL roster, let alone starting.

This team is also over the cap

Lauko should be starting btw. There is very little argument against that with the way he played last year

Who is we?

What I want to see is if Zacha can develop into a number 1 center and some of the young players can emerge. I think we sometimes get so caught up in the Athletic ratings that we forget that we have quite a few good options for 3rd and 4th line minutes with Lysell, Lohrei, and Poitras having ability to be more. I’m excited to see what Harrison does on the wing at Providence

If a center becomes available with a goaltender trade, then you look at it. Thomas Hertl and Mark Scheifele would seem like options with Swayman. An LA trade for Ullmark might be realistic once their goaltender situation fails. Otherwise, patience. There are a lot of players who won’t want to give up FA in next years class. If Zacha emerges like I anticipate, we’ll be in the market for a 2C.

On Zacha, I think it depends on what you consider a "1C" to be honest. I think if he can develop into a top end 2C that would b fantastic. His 57 points last year ranked 48th among center last season, which would be roughly an average 2C. I don't see a guy like Lysell or Poitras playing 4th line minutes as Boston historically uses that line as a shutdown checking line. Zero chance I'd trade Swayman in a deal for Hertl or Scheifele. Good young goaltending is hard to find. Ullmark is already 30yrs old with only 2yrs left on his deal. If you move a goalie, he's the guy you move.

Zacha's been a middle-six forward or fringe 2nd liner for most part of his career. If he can just becomes an actual 2C, that's great. 1C is highly optimistic.

He played like a solid 2nd liner last year. The open question is whether there is improvement on top of that.

It's one season and he played with Krejci. Not only there are more responsibilities as center, but he will have also play with a worse forward.

He played with Krejci and Pasta. I do believe that the short term, he’s playing with one player who is worse. I could see a scenario where he’s playing with Pasta and DeBrusk, which would be an upgrade. We’ll see how it plays out, but I agree that they need to acquire one more top 6 center type. It may need to be next year because of the cap