The Breakdown: Centers – Take Two

Training camp is right around the corner, the pre-season is in sight and the first regular season game is one month and one day away. So let’s take a closer look at the team we’ll be cheering for…

Mike Richards – Captain
5th Season
Last Season’s Numbers: He led the team in assists (50) and short-handed goals (7), was second in scoring (80) and plus/minus (+22) and third in goals (30). He was also tied for the team lead in playoff scoring with Claude Giroux (5pts).

Upside: Mike took the reigns as Captain and showed how it should be done. His ability to play both offensive and defensive roles make him a shoo in to wear the coveted “C” once again. He can pass, shoot and play physical when it is required. Mike will also drop the gloves if it’s warranted. He also works well on all situations (power play and penalty kill).

Downside: The loss of Mike Knuble’s veteran presence on the wing could hurt his numbers. It looks like the replacement will either be Danny Briere or Claude Giroux with Briere being the likely candidate. With Briere comes the worry about his physical condition after missing much of last season with a groin injury. Giroux, while showing he can score, brings inexperience. But he also brings unlimited potential.

Jeff Carter
5th Season
Last Season’s Numbers: Led the team in – points (84), goals (46), power play goals (13), game winning goals (12) and plus/minus (+23).

Upside: Jeff is a scoring machine! It doesn’t matter what line he’s on, he has the ability to make the players around him better. Already a mainstay on the power play and penalty kill, he’ll pick up those roles again. He has a lazer shot, breakaway speed and knows how to pick his shots. He’s also strong in clutch situations.

Downside: Jeff isn’t a very physical player. With Lupul going in the Pronger trade, it’s still up in the air who will be on the other wing with Hartnell. I’d like to say there’s a chance of Briere on his line, but I really can’t. Because if this is the case, Giroux would have to center the 3rd line and it would leave an opening on the 1st. The best option right now is adding Ian Laperierre. Only problem there is, Lap’s not a scorer and he’s not much of an assist guy. Unless the Flyers make a late pick-up for cheap money, someone along the lines of Dominic Moore, Mike Peca, (I can’t believe I’m gonna say this) Petr Sykora or they make a trade, Carter’s numbers may slip unless he really turns up the volume. Carter was also the target of talk last season when it came to, “playing a full sixty minutes.” If he can keep his concentration on the task at hand, we won’t hear about that again.

Danny Briere
12th Season
Last Season’s Numbers: 25 points (11 goals, 14 assists) in 29 games with 4 power play goals. 4 points (1 goal, 3 assists) in 6 playoff games.

Upside: Danny is easily a point per game player. He’s quick, has a hot shot and can be physical if he really needs to be. He’s also a good set-up man with an accurate pass. With the talk of him moving to the wing (which he’s comfortable with, check the Cote Carnival interview), he could easily be a 30-40 assist player regardless of what line he plays on. Noone’s going to deny the problems the Flyers had last season with the shootout. While Danny only participated in 3, he scored twice which is tied for second on the team (Gagne). He should also be a fixture on the power play having scored 10 of his points (4 goals, 6 assists) with the man advantage.

Downside: Unsure physical condition. He has been training in the off-season, but once training camp starts and he’s running drills will we know for sure. There is a very good chance he’s going to get moved to a wing position to compensate for the losses of Mike Knuble and Joffrey Lupul. Another thing that scares me about him is his face-off percentage. He was last among centers on the club last season. So a move to wing may be just what the doctor ordered.

Darroll Powe
2nd Season
Last Season’s Numbers: 11 points (6 goals, 5 assists) in 60 games in a limited role on the 4th line, 3 points (1 goal, 2 assists) in 5 playoff games.

Upside: I think Darroll came into his own in the playoffs showing he can be a scorer if he gets more minutes. He also has a strong, physical side that was missing from the top 3 lines last year.

Downside: However, with his regular season numbers, it’s easy to say his playoff performance was a fluke. The way it looks, he’ll be the 4th line center.

Now, as Danielle pointed out, I didn’t mention Claude Giroux in this list. That’s because, as of right now, he’s not listed as a center, he’s still listed as a winger. This week when I do the Winger Breakdown, a majority of what I say will constitute him as a center because of what many of us have either heard or read.

Until then, keep your chin up, your eyes on the puck and you can never go wrong with high to the stick side. 😉

Thanks for reading,
Paul Pickett
Facebook: Paul Ca Pickett
Twitter: PaulakaBFTW