The San Jose Sharks are looking for a fourth-line center, officially. My immediate reaction was anger, maybe even outrage. Fourth-line centers are probably the second-most replaceable role on a team, after fourth-line wingers. These are the types of players you put waiver claims in for (Jussi Jokinen), not the guys you give up players or draft picks to acquire.
Yet, the NHL is changing. Teams are starting to ice three effective, even dangerous forward lines. To get ahead of this trend, it would be prudent for NHL general managers and coaches to assemble an effective fourth-line, as well as the now-typical top-9 group.