Looking at guys like Toews and Kopitar in the scheme of 'top line centers' is extremely difficult.
When you look at the two, strictly by normal statistics (ie. points), they are surely in the upper echelon of the leagues superstars. However the true value of these players isn't recognized in a way that shows up in regular stats (goals, assists, etc.), but in their intangible values.
ie. Kopitar shutting down an opposing top line, or winning key defensive faceoffs late in the game when it's on the line.
At the end of this I just looked up Kopitars numbers and they are actually pretty good.
TL; DR
Intangibles add value to the player, but exactly how they factor in to contract negotiations must be difficult?
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