The Philadelphia Flyers look like a team that should be ready to take another step this season, but there is still a pretty important piece missing from their lineup. They need to find a top-line center if they want to be Stanley Cup contenders.
Flyers need a top-line center desperately
Christian Dvorak has played center for the Flyers, but having him as the top-line option probably isn't where Philadelphia wants to be. If they can add another center who is capable of playing in that role, it would allow Dvorak to move down to the second line or even the third line depending on where Trevor Zegras ends up playing.
The wild card is Zegras. Philadelphia still has to figure out exactly where he fits in the lineup and whether he is going to spend most of his time at center or on the wing. If he plays center, that gives the Flyers another option, but there is still a need for someone who can take on the top-line role.
The problem is that there isn't really an obvious answer for who that player is right now. The Flyers will need to look at the trade market and wait for a top-line center to be available. There is no reason to force a move just to say they added a center. At the same time, it is hard to look at this lineup and not see a top-line center as something Philadelphia should be looking for. Adding that player would allow Dvorak to move into a role that makes more sense for him and give the Flyers another option in their top six together.
It would also give Philadelphia more flexibility with Zegras. If he ends up playing center, the Flyers have another player who can move around the lineup. If he plays on the wing, they have a legitimate top-line center already in place instead of having to rely on Dvorak in that spot.
The good thing is, the Flyers don't have to make this move right away. There is still plenty of time for them to see what happens within their lineup. Obviously, last season they were a playoff team with Dvorak and Zegras as their one-two punch. However, if Philadelphia wants to be a serious Cup contender, finding that center should be high on the list.
The Flyers have some interesting pieces already, especially in their top six. Which makes the need for getting a top-line center even more important. It's imperative that Daniel Briere continue to make his calls around the league and see what big fish are out there, and when he zeroes in on one, he needs to make a deal.
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