Top 20 Centers - EP Rinkside

[Kasi]

Sure but Gaudreau was on that line too. I think there are valid questions in how much can he drive offence on his own. Which is fine if he’s not some crazy playmaker given his other strengths. But it’s valid if someone thinks superstars on offence like McDavid/Matthews or well rounded guys like Point and Zibenejad would be better. Heck if this pissed him off all the better to light a fire under him.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

It feels so darn good to have some depth at center, finally. Like so many have said when he signed - the last few years of Kadri's deal may end up stinging a bit, but these next few years it is going to be a fantastic signing. Having arguably the best #3 center in the league feels pretty darn good, too.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by activeStick

No. Only players from Canadian teams that made the list going from memory were Mcdavid, Draisaitl, Kadri, Lindholm, Matthews

It's funny they still call Draisaitl primarily a center. Every game he starts there but before long he's back with McDavid. He's a winger.

[dino7c]

Another thing is the Flames centers will actually play center...Oiler fans like to brag about their 3 centers but there is always at least one of them on the wing.

When Drai actually plays center RNH is on his wing or Drai plays with McDavid and RNH is #2

[Mass_nerder]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Huberdeau was #1 in the NHL in primary assists ahead of McDavid and set an all time NHL record for assists by a LW playing with Bennett as his center.

Yep, the question for me is what the 3rd on that top line brings (whoever it ends up being). Chucky was a super underrated passer, so if Lindy only has one elite passer feeding him, can be still be as dangerous?

[Kasi]

I’m now curious what the top 20 actually is but not going to bother giving them my email.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by butterfly

I'm curious how you calculated those percentages.

If you have last change and all three centres are on different lines, you’re always going to have one of them sitting for an extra shift. The freshest guy takes the star.

With last change, you have a 3/4 chance of one of them being on, and you probably only start the 4th line in the O-zone.

With only two centres you can match against a superstar, you have to double shift at least one, probably both, and the result is either an unfavourable matchup or a tired player.

The math is probably (definitely) oversimplified, but then I’m a simple man.

[activeStick]

He divided it into tiers.

Generational: Mcdavid, Matthews

MVP Candidates: Mackinnon, Draisaitl, Sid, Barkov

Franchise Forward: Bergeron, Point, Hughes

All Stars: Thomas, Stamkos, Aho, Eichel, Larkin

Great First Liners: Zibanejad, Malkin, O'Reilly, Barzal

First Liners: Lindholm, Kadri

[Kasi]

Malkin (because of age) and Barzal (pretty one dimensional and not even great in that dimension) are really the only two I disagree with there.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Thomas too. Not yet, for me. And the tiers are weird too, there are plenty more all star caliber centers in the league.

[VilleN]

I’d take Lindholm over Larkin all day.

[Jaydee]

Lindholm's wrister is lethal

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Mass_nerder

Yep, the question for me is what the 3rd on that top line brings (whoever it ends up being). Chucky was a super underrated passer, so if Lindy only has one elite passer feeding him, can be still be as dangerous?

Lindholm scored 78 in 81 with Monahan and Gaudreau so I don't see it being an issue.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by VilleN

I’d take Lindholm over Larkin all day.

Came to say this.

I will also take Lindholm over Thomas, O'Reilly and Barzal.

And Zibanejad is debatable, probably a coin flip

[MrMike]

Include cap hits into the choice and see where he ends up. Only guy making under 5 million?

[sa226]

I love me some Lindholm. I think even after all of the accolades he is still severely underrated. Sutter sings his praises, calls him almost the "perfect hockey player" etc etc.

One thing that is missing for me, in his playoff performances is finding that extra gear. I think he almost plays too careful. I think he knows he has some huge heavy lifting to do and he focuses on that. Gaudreau, Tkachuk and Monahan always took the heat around here but Lindholm I think deserved it too. If he wants that huge payday that is coming for him he still has to get better. He needs that moment in the playoffs that only shows up as a goal or an assist on the scoresheet, but gets you out of your seat and you go "whoa"

Gaudreau has had it a few times, Kadri has had it, Tkachuk never really had one, Lindholm needs it to push himself into a higher echelon of Centremen in this league.

At 27 years old, I bet its still coming.

[sa226]

Also, Draisaitl and Mackinnon on the same tier is a goddamn travesty.

[Sandman]

If I remember correctly, wasn't Zibanejad shown to be an illusion according to his advanced stats? Doesn't drive play, horrible defensively, etc...

Also, am I the only one who thinks MacKinnon is better than Matthews?

[Jore]

Originally Posted by Kasi

Sure but Gaudreau was on that line too. I think there are valid questions in how much can he drive offence on his own. Which is fine if he’s not some crazy playmaker given his other strengths. But it’s valid if someone thinks superstars on offence like McDavid/Matthews or well rounded guys like Point and Zibenejad would be better. Heck if this pissed him off all the better to light a fire under him.

I think the questions around Lindholm driving offense are fair, but I don't think Zibanejad is more well-rounded than him. Zibanejad doesn't drive play and thrives off of his shot.

It will be interesting to see if Huberdeau and Lindholm play together. Neither player has had primary puck-carrying duties, and it would be great if one or both demonstrate a strong prowess for it next year.

[butterfly]

Originally Posted by VilleN

I’d take Lindholm over Larkin all day.

What about Hughes? 3 tiers above Lindholm?

Also, I don’t think there’s many people who would argue Crosby isn’t generational. Weird to use that as a tier label for a point-in-time evaluation.