Who doesn’t love Top 10 list, for things like films, movies, albums and of course players, within any sport. This is because it creates discussion, debate, and even argument from other fans who wholeheartedly disagree with where you put player X and player Y. But I would like to do it anyways, for the NHL, right now, going into the 2023/2024 season, given that it gives others a perspective about how I see the game, the metrics that I use (Hockey reference, natural stat trick) and the eye test (watching games on tv or in person) to determine my list. This is by no means the perfect list or the ultimate test as things change (team dynamics, season schedule, travel time, conditioning, etc.), but we do know that the center position remains the deepest position, and you often have GM’s or organizations build from the middle out, but it also helps to be defensively responsible. There are numerous factors that affect the position, so if you disagree feel free to leave a comment below, but here goes:
- Connor McDavid (#97, Edmonton Oilers) – As a surprise to no know, Connor McDavid, who is coming off another unreal season (we are very lucky to watch him play) where he played a full 82 games and put up 64 and 89 assist for a total of 153 points, winning the Rocket Richard, Ted Lindsay and Hart Memorial Trophy. Beyond being dominant at the position, he also played on average ~22:23 minutes on the ice (TOI/GP) and continues to be otherworldly and I would be surprised if he has an even better season this coming season. Fans cannot deny McDavid’s otherworldly accomplishments (even with Crosby still being in the game and playing at the elite level that he is). But for me Connor McDavid is the consensus No. 1 center in the NHL and will continue to be a delight to watch in the game. The only challenge for McDavid and company is trying to get over the hump and making a run for the Stanley Cup.
- Auston Matthews (#34, Toronto Maple Leafs) – The Toronto Superstar didn’t have an elite season last year due to injury (playing only 74 games) but he still managed to put up 40 goals and 45 assists (for a total of 85 points), while only playing ~20:17 TOI/GP. Even this regression from the previous Hart Trophy-winning 2021-22 season, where he had 60 goals (becoming just the third player to hit that mark since the 2005-06 season) but his 12.2% shooting percentage, Matthews’ goal-scoring rate will stay high and he can continue to put up 50 plus goals and complete for another Hart Trophy himself. But people don’t realize how defensively minded Matthews can be in his own end and how well he plays the 200 foot game. He is just a treat to watch on the ice, as he is an electric goal scorer. Let’s just hope he can stay healthy.
- Leon Draisaitl (#29, Edmonton Oilers) – We all know that both Leon and his teammate McDavid are a very dynamic duo, who can make any team pay, when they are on the ice together (including that lethal powerplay). But Leon has become an elite player in his own right, after playing 80 games and putting up 52 goals and 76 assists (for a total of 128) with ~21:44 TOI/GP. This past season was his 4th 100-plus point season, and he continues to be a beast when he has the puck on his stick. Both these guys are lethal and he and McDavid make each other better. Also as a fun fact, since 2018-19, Draisaitl ranks second in points per game (1.46) and is one of two forwards to score more than 500 points.That’s some elite company.
- Nathan MacKinnon (#29, Colorado Avalanche) – Back to Back #29 jersey players, Nathan MacKinnon, 27, has really come into his own in the past few years, becoming a Stanley Cup winner last year and attaining a 100+ point season, playing 71 games and putting up 42 goals and 69 assists (for a total of 111 points). We all know that he was going to be excellent, when he won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2013/2014 season, but MacKinnon has the 3rd highest PPG average of any player over the past four seasons, at 1.38. He’s also one of the NHL’s most powerful skaters, which is very impressive to watch in the postseason when MacKinnon turns on the jets.
- Jack Hughes (#86, New Jersey Devils) – The young gun from New Jersey has been dynamic for the team and really took a step forward this past season playing 78 games, putting up 43 goals and 56 assist, coming oh so close to getting 100 points, but still managed to make an impact while playing ~19:58 TOI/GP. The joy of watching Hughes is that he is an excellent skate, and wonderful at shooting the puck. He makes such dynamic plays and he’s got fantastic wingers to play with (a young team with a lot of talent and upside) and he is only 21 years old. There is still so much room for growth and success. He will continue to be a dynamic player. Keep an eye out for him and the Devils to make a big splash.
- Aleksander Barkov (#16, Florida Panthers) – This isn’t exactly the sexy or flashy pick, but Barkov continues to be seen by some as underrated” (but not so much anymore, after that wild run by the Panthers in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. ) At age 27, Barkov put up 23 goals and 55 assists (for a total of 78 goals) but it is his defensive game that is often considered one of the best defensive forwards in the game (minus Patrice Bergeron, who owns that trophy), and continues to be an elite player each year. Seems odd right? Well back in 2021, former ESPN analyst (and current Philadelphia Flyers head coach) John Tortorella noted that Barkov deserved the honor, not that McDavid. Bold statement (bring out the pitchforks now).
- Roope Hintz (#24, Dallas Stars) – Hintz, who is coming off back-to-back 37-goal seasons, has garnered a lot of praise from this past year’s postseason effort (in 19 post season games he had 10 goals and 14 assists). Beyond playing with elite goal scorer Jason Robertson, and being 1C for Dallas, who have Tyler Seguin making big $$$, he’s drawn praise for his all-round 200 foot game, all while playing ~ 18:02 TOI/GP. Again like Barkov, Hintz isn’t flashy or big a goal scorer, but he is still such a smart hockey player, always being in the right spot at the right time. If Dallas will continue to be competitive (and they have a great core), they need Hintz to have another excellent season.
- Tage Thompson (#72, Buffalo Sabres) – The big story this year out of Buffalo was the emergence of Tage Thompson as a true #1 center, after losing Jack Eichel to the Golden Vegas Knights. After having some quiet seasons, he had a big season by playing 78 games and putting up 47 goals and 47 assists (for a total of 94 points), with ~18:35 TOI/GP. One look at Thompson’s release and you’ll realize his 47 goals were no fluke. This is due to head coach Don Granato’s giving him more ice time and shots on goal. Unfortunately the Sabres did miss the playoffs, but with their young core of impressive talent, it is possible the Sabres end the longest playoff drought and make the postseason next year. Thompson, who isn’t necessarily an elite playmaker like some others on this list, but goal-scoring is still a premium so to have him in your fantasy draft, won’t hurt at all.
- Sidney Crosby (#87, Pittsburgh Penguins) – Sid the Kid (he’s not really a kid anymore) continues to be an elite player in the game after playing for almost 18 seasons in the game. Coming off another excellent season where he played 82 games and put up 33 goals and 60 assists while playing ~ 20:09 TOI/GP, shows just how elite Crosby continues to be. Although it was the first season the Pittsburgh Penguins didn’t make the postseason, he continued to be an impactful player and leader, as 66 of his even-strength points ranked 10th in the league, and no other forward ahead of him was older than 30. That is just incredible (and of course he will be a first ballot Hall of Famer). Now with some new changes in upper management and Kyle Dubas bringing in Erik Karlsson, and with being able to stay healthy, can Crosby cement himself as one of the all time greats, have another big season for the team, as they push for a playoff spot?
- Brayden Point (#21, Tampa Bay Lightning) – I am finishing up my list with someone who, like Barkov, is a bit underrated and also had a very successful but quiet season. The former back-to-back Stanley Cup champion, who is the top center for the Tampa Bay Lightning, had the quietest 51 goal season (while people debated the best goal scorer in the league is), as well as 44 assists (for a total of 95 points, when he plays about ~20.57 TOI/GM. Now the team did get knocked out by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round as they were banged up, and because he plays 1C, but only had 50.73% for Face off wins (could be a bit better). But Point continues to be a great player, especially a guy who was taken in the 3rd round (79th overall) in the 2014 NHL Draft by SteveYzerman. If Tampa Bay wants to continue to be competitive, they need Point to continue to be elite for the team.
Certainly this is not a perfect list and many things factor into it, but it just goes to show fans how rich the NHL is with players of elite caliber at the center position. We also hope to see some new faces (Connor Bedard perhaps?) emerge this year as new faces for new franchises. But I did want to make some Honorable Mentions of Elite centers in the game still: Steve Stamkos, Elias Pettersson, Sebastian Aho, Tim Stutzle, Mika Zibanejad and Jack Eichel (who just helped Vegas win a cup).
Thoughts?
Pawel the ‘Cat’
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