I remember last year everyone was saying that if Connly stayed healthy he would be a solid pickup.....Now we are hoping that JVR can become a #1 center, when he is basically a 3rd line winger to this point, before a major injury! This is flat out silly!
- Pillar

3rd line winger? :S

Seriously people, the whole JVR playing center thing is being WAAAY over analyzed ad nauseum.

Let the man try playing the position and then we can dissect it. Until then, this is nothing but hot air and a stalemate pissing match.

Panthers signed Peter Mueller, one year deal, $1.752 million.
- Phenom

I wanted to give him a try.

Seriously people, the whole JVR playing center thing is being WAAAY over analyzed ad nauseum.

Let the man try playing the position and then we can dissect it. Until then, this is nothing but hot air and a stalemate pissing match.
- As_I_See_It

I agree, but you can't blame people. It's really the only thing to talk about right now about the Leafs

Seriously people, the whole JVR playing center thing is being WAAAY over analyzed ad nauseum.

Let the man try playing the position and then we can dissect it. Until then, this is nothing but hot air and a stalemate pissing match.
- As_I_See_It

Yup.

I agree, but you can't blame people. It's really the only thing to talk about right now about the Leafs
- maverickJ

I know, and it's (frank)in' depressing!

I agree, but you can't blame people. It's really the only thing to talk about right now about the Leafs
- maverickJ

I'd rather speculate on the colour of Carlyle's tie on opening night

I agree, but you can't blame people. It's really the only thing to talk about right now about the Leafs
- maverickJ

It's because this has been the most boring free agency ever.

I'd rather speculate on the colour of Carlyle's tie on opening night
- As_I_See_It

My guess is blue

It's because this has been the most boring free agency ever.
- nomdreas

Yeah eh But at least we have the Nash, Ryan and Luongo trades to look forward too. I wish the league had incentive for trading. I mean it would suck for the players but would be damn entertaining.

My guess is blue
- maverickJ

My guess is white, with a white suit, white top hat, white shoes and cane.

My guess is white, with a white suit, white top hat, white shoes and cane.
- As_I_See_It

Lol if we are going to suck, we might as well look good while we do

My guess is white, with a white suit, white top hat, white shoes and cane.
- As_I_See_It

Very Don Cherry-esque

Hall used to play centre in juniors, and its rumored Krueger will be trying him out there. I dont see the harm in giving a similarily young and talented winger like JVR a shot. Most likely both will be back playing wing by November but hey, you never know what can happen.

Hall used to play centre in juniors, and its rumored Krueger will be trying him out there. I dont see the harm in giving a similarily young and talented winger like JVR a shot. Most likely both will be back playing wing by November but hey, you never know what can happen.
- GuyLaDouche

THANK YOU!

That pretty much sums up all that needs to be said about Carlyle experimenting with playing JVR at center...

Hall used to play centre in juniors, and its rumored Krueger will be trying him out there. I dont see the harm in giving a similarily young and talented winger like JVR a shot. Most likely both will be back playing wing by November but hey, you never know what can happen.
- GuyLaDouche

Trying JVR at center is currently a desperation experiment. They can't really find anybody to fill the hole so they're going to make due with what they have. It's not crazy to at least give it a shot but it is a little crazy to expect it to work. The reason why it's a little crazy to expect it to work is because it usually takes centers years to get above 50% in the face-off circle. Considering JVR has taken 10, and lost 8, face-offs in the NHL, odds are you are exactly right about playing wing by November.

Remember when the leafs drafted wendel as D-man and played him as a Center?

Remember when the leafs drafted wendel as D-man and played him as a Center?
- matt26

Left wing and center are a little different.

Plus, Clark was converted from day one.

And that was roughly 26 years ago.

Unless there's a trade, it probably won't be long before Bozak is centering Kessel and Lupul again. Who knows, we could be surprised and JVR works out. I wouldn't bet on it at this point.

Left wing and center are a little different.

Plus, Clark was converted from day one.

And that was roughly 26 years ago.
- Two_For_Truth

... Aaaaaaaaaaand Wendel was (frank)in' awesome.

Mike Augello: Van Riemsdyk Ready For Center Challenge; Winter Classic Alumni Rosters Anno
- mikeinbuffalo

So, MacKinnon?

Trying JVR at center is currently a desperation experiment. They can't really find anybody to fill the hole so they're going to make due with what they have. It's not crazy to at least give it a shot but it is a little crazy to expect it to work. The reason why it's a little crazy to expect it to work is because it usually takes centers years to get above 50% in the face-off circle. Considering JVR has taken 10, and lost 8, face-offs in the NHL, odds are you are exactly right about playing wing by November.
- Two_For_Truth

If it happened to pan out with Hall, it would be pretty awesome for us, just as it would if JVR happened to work in TO as a C. I actually think in Edmonton's case if it didn't immediately gel, they will put Hall back on the wing before November. They don't have the luxury of a prolonged experiment. They need to start winning this year.

But like I said, I have my doubts about either working. The good thing is, they're both good on the wing so moving them back isn't a detriment to the team. Not like when Edmonton put Liam Reddox centering the top line. That was pretty awesome, and despite all evidence that it was a failure he played there for a while.I believe he's in Europe somewhere now.

I just want to watch playoff hockey again. Is that so much to ask?

You haters are out of your mind. Kessel has been making Bozak look like an NHLer for the past few years, JVR will slot in perfect between kessel/lupes. He is a big body in front of the net, has good hand eye, a heavy shot and great vision and passing. In other words they will be going from playing with a third line C to a top 6 forward skill wise, and JVR will disappoint? I don't see that, if the kessel/lupul combo keeps it up JVR will only help, 60+ points in the bank with a healthy season.

Trying JVR at center is currently a desperation experiment. They can't really find anybody to fill the hole so they're going to make due with what they have. It's not crazy to at least give it a shot but it is a little crazy to expect it to work. The reason why it's a little crazy to expect it to work is because it usually takes centers years to get above 50% in the face-off circle. Considering JVR has taken 10, and lost 8, face-offs in the NHL, odds are you are exactly right about playing wing by November.
- Two_For_Truth

Funny thing about never taking faceoffs is you never practice them... Now JVR will be taking faceoffs daily against a couple of the top guys... That stat is a waste of time in an argument.

Funny thing about never taking faceoffs is you never practice them... Now JVR will be taking faceoffs daily against a couple of the top guys... That stat is a waste of time in an argument.
- Jay Uller

Steckel and McClement are damn good Face-Off guys, JVR is well suited to learn from them. Hell Bozak is even a pretty good face off guy and Grabo went from being relatively terrible at face offs to above 50% in his time with the Leafs. I really think our bottom 6 centers are well suited to teach JVR the Center game from a defensive point of view. It's up to him to create the offense (But as a center it gives you more room to experiment and play your game in a different manner).