I just came across the article now and I think some of his comments are getting lost in translation. He wasn't saying that Backstrom and Kuznetsov aren't current or future number one line centers, he was saying that you can't build a team around a winger.
I'm not sure that I agree with that either but I think the article is more a slight at Ovechkin rather than Backstrom or Kuznetsov. He agrees that they are respectable players.
He was also saying that the Habs should
go after Tavares, not Washington. Of course, Washington would be better with him as well.