Is a top 6 W a bigger need than 2C now?

Slaf on the second line has been a menace, him Demidov and Kapanen have been playing great, even outplaying the first line and while Kapanen might not be flashy or out of this world to some, he plays a sound game, 47% on draws, and is producing at a 47 point pace right now. Maybe he’s not the perfect 2C but he’s doing a good enough job so far this season when most were skeptical about him being 2C.

Since Slaf has moved to the second line the first line has struggled 5v5, Suzuki and Caufield could really use another winger with the same archetype as Slaf, someone who can get possession and win puck battles and retrieve the puck.

With 2C’s being harder to find via trade and costing more + Hage in the pipeline would it make more sense to target a top 6 winger? We have a plethora of forwards coming back but none really fit on the first line. Bolduc hasn’t worked, Laine could be an option but I’m very skeptical, and Texier has looked the best playing on the first line but I don’t think that’s sustainable long term.

Maybe they can wait until Newhook comes back and then move Slaf back to the first line, but part of me would rather keep him on the second line him and Demidov have looked way too good together.

I remember Gorton and/or Hughes making comments in the offseason about the possibility of adding a winger vs a 2C if they’re not available and if the winger can create plays so it would make sense.

Deadline is 7 weeks away, we have a ton of draft capital and prospects + some expiring contracts. I think if we’re top 3 in the Atlantic still trading for a winger could make sense, just not sure who exactly would be available or be attainable without trading Hage.

Reinbacher I’d consider trading with Dobson, Guhle, Matheson, and Hutson locked up long term + his injury issues. If we’re able to get a good productive winger signed long term I think that makes sense.

Thoughts?