NHL
Opinion: Top Ten Centres in NHL
Yesterday, NHL Network revealed their list of the top twenty centers in the NHL. This list has sparked debate among fans all over social media. The NHL has so many talented centers; making it entertaining to rank them. I decided to rank my top ten centers in the NHL. Remember this is just my opinion and I welcome debate in the comments. No, Jay Beagle is not on this list.
10. John Tavares, Toronto Maple Leafs
Tavares signed a Seven-year $77 million contract with the Maple Leafs on July 1. With the New York Islanders, he played all 32 games and scored 37 goals and 84 points. He had career highs in 2014-15 with 38 goals and 86 points. He had 30 points on the power play last season and has scored at least 24 goals in each season he has played. A terrific goalscorer and an excellent playmaker who can put up points, it comes to no surprise that Leafs fans are excited for him.
9. Steven Stamkos: Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Lightning captain, scored 86 points last season. (27 G 59 A) The most he has had since the 2011-12 season when he had 97 points. He had 33 power play points which included 15 power play goals. He helped lead the Lighting to 113 points which topped the Eastern Conference. Stamkos knows how to score goals, especially on the power play. He is always found in the slot and he really knows how to put the puck in the net.
8. Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings
The Kings center is a very important player on the team. He had 92 points last season. (35,57) In his 12 seasons with the Kings, this is his 10th where he has led the Kings in scoring. He was third in face-offs last season with 54.1 % and won the Selke trophy as the best defensive forward in the NHL. Kopitar led all NHL forwards in ice time and ice time per game. He reliable defensive center who wins face-offs and an excellent penalty killer, it’s no wonder he won the Selke. He even finished third in Hart Trophy voting.
7. Mark Schiefele, Winnipeg Jets
Schiefele had 60 points with the Jets last season. (23 G 37 A). He played a big part in the Jets playoff run last season. The 25-year-old scored 14 goals in the playoffs and seven of them were on the road. The 25-year-old has very good hockey sense, can score goals and knows how to set up his linemates.
6. Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins
Bergeron is one of the best two-way forwards in the NHL. So it comes to no surprise that he has won the Selke four times in the past seven seasons. Despite missing 18 games due to an injury, he scored 30 goals and 57.3 % of faceoffs. A smart player, he always finds a way to drive to the net and creates offense when he has the puck.
5. Nathan Mackinnon, Colorado Avalanche
Starting the top five centers in the NHL is Nathan Mackinnon. Mackinnon shattered his career highs last season with 39 goals, 58 assists and 97 points. He had 12 game-winning goals and 32 power play goals. Mackinnon had a fourteen game point streak from February 24- March 22nd and a nine-game point streak from December 29 – January 20. He is a dangerous player with great skating and a great shot.
4. Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs
Auston Matthews had a terrific sophomore season despite injuries. He scored 34 goals and 29 assists for 53 points in 63 games last season. He had 13 power play points and five game-winning goals. Matthews helped the Leafs get records for wins with 49 and points with 105. Matthews has amazing offensive talent. He knows how to score and set up his teammates for goals. He is great at maintaining possession of the puck as well.
3. Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins
The three-time Stanley Cup Champion had 42 goals and 56 assists for 98 points last season. That’s the most he had since 2011-12 where he had 109 points. He has scored at least 33 goals in six of his twelve NHL seasons. Last season he had 14 Power Play goals and seven game-winners. Malkin is a highly skilled forward who can play any forward position.
2. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
Crosby had 29 goals and 60 assists for 89 points in 82 games last season. He also had 38 points on the power play. Crosby could do it all. He can win face-offs, score with his wicked backhand, make plays in the offensive zone and much more. Crosby can do it all in any situation.
1. Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
Topping my list of centers is Connor McDavid. This really comes to no surprise. Last season, he won the Art Ross Trophy after leading the NHL with 41 goals and 67 assists. (108) On five-on-five he is dangerous as he creates offense in any situation. Today’s game is defined by one factor: speed. Connor McDavid is the symbol of the modern-day game. He has tremendous speed and it is always fun to watch him blow by defenders. Though only 21, his maturity is way beyond his years on the ice and off the ice.
