A big reason for this is the chemistry he has created with Brandon Tanev and Andrew Copp this line has a 61 percent Corsi while receiving a majority of their zone starts in the defensive zone. Aleksander Barkov, C, FLA 7. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Enter Search Term. He also led the Bruins in scoring during that period in every season except for 2019-20. 1. 2020-21 NHL Summary. Maltsev finished the season with a GAR of 1.5 and had a Corsi percentage of 51.8 percent, though his expected goals percentage was 46.8 percent. He's also proven a solid two-way player, seeing time on the penalty kill. Timo Meier is a Devil, Jakob Chychrun is a Senator and Patrick Kane is in New . Seeing McDavids name at the top of this list will come as no surprise to absolutely anybody. Pierre-Luc Dubois, C, WPG34. 2 spot on this list. Of Wild forwards with at least 100 minutes of 5-on-5 ice time, Coyle is first in assists and high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes. For the fourth straight season, McDavid, who finished second in the NHL with 97 points (34 goals, 63 assists), tops this list of best centers. NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. Connor McDavid, C, EDM 2. Winner of the Calder Memorial Trophy that season and the Maurice Richard Trophy in 2020-21, he has led the Leafs since his rookie campaign with 219 total goals and 384 points. Nick Bonino is likely one of the first names that comes to mind in any discussion of third-line centers. This season, he has three goals and six assists in 15 games. His production should increase as he gains chemistry with new linemates Magnus Paajarvi and Sammy Blais. All he does is score, produce, and help Toronto win. He scored 26 goals last season and has scored at least 24 every season since entering the NHL with the Islanders in 2009-10. The cap-strapped Golden Knights picked up a third-line center in Mattias Janmark by involving a third team, according to TSN's Pierre Lebrun. 1. All rights reserved. Cole Perfetti, C/RW, WPG (rookie)49. The rankings are based on last season's production and factor in both traditional and advanced stats.Some sample sizes are . Its chased a fair amount of good players out of town. A new era is officially underway in Phoenix as Kevin Durant made his first appearance in a Suns uniform at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, leading his new squad to a 105-91 win. Josh Norris, C, OTT25. NSH L1: Filip Forsberg -- Ryan Johansen -- Philip Tomasino (NEW), 22. Sebastian Aho, C, CAR12. Auston Matthews, C, TOR4. Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are the property of their respective owners. * Eligible Positions based on Yahoo Fantasy Hockey "Latest Update" refers to when we last checked for revised rankings. The Zamboni word mark and configuration of the Zamboni ice resurfacing machine are registered trademarks of Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. 2023. Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Its easy to see the potential in him; hes a high-end skater and has shown flashes of what made him one of the teams top prospects for a few years. The Boston Bruins have been the best team in the NHL this season, but that doesn't mean they're perfect. "When you're a good player, what you want is the puck," NHL Network analyst Mike Johnson said. BOS L2: Taylor Hall -- Erik Haula -- Marc McLaughlin / David Pastrnak (DTD) (-5), 16. Swedish-born center Patrik Berglund missed the beginning of the season recovering from shoulder surgery and has only appeared in seven games. He helped the Bruins allow the fewest goals in the NHL (167; 2.39 per game) and win the Presidents' Trophy with the best points percentage in the League (.714; 44-14-12). Forsberg, Anton. 00:48 February 6th, 2023. Crosby scored 47 points (16 goals, 31 assists) in 41 games last season, missing 28 because of a core muscle injury that required surgery. If they sign someone like Bozak or Bonino as a stop-gap until a prospect is ready, they should be in good shape. A three-time Stanley Cup champion (2009, 2016, 2017), Malkin has scored at least 25 goals in 10 of his 14 NHL seasons and at least 70 points in 11 of the 14. He has more than enough offensive upside to play a 3rd-line, middle-six center role too. ", Video: Pettersson places 16th on the top 20 centers list. "He is by a good margin, the best offensive player in the world. In both cases, he improved in each subsequent season. MacKinnon ranks third in the NHL over the past three seasons with 289 points (115 goals, 174 assists), behind McDavid (321) and Kucherov (313). He also tied Bruins forward David Pastrnak for first in the NHL in game-winning goals (10), was second in even-strength points (66; Artemi Panarin, Rangers, 71) and power-play goals (16; Pastrnak, 20), and was first among NHL forwards in average ice time (22:37 per game). Forecasting the 2022 Olympic hockey rosters. With that said, here are the current top 10 centermen in the NHL based on their play to this point in the 2022-23 season. He finished the season with nine goals and 15 points in 52 games a 14-goal, 23-point pace over 82 games. For what he offers two ways at even strength and on the penalty kill, plus his veteran leadership, hed be well worth that price. Time will tell, but he also seems more suited to be a fourth-line center. Mikko Rantanen, C/RW, COL 6. A big reason is that he is generating more shots at 5-on-5 than the past two seasons and has a career-best shooting percentage of 20.7 percent. Again, like Matthews, the fact we can say that when he has 79 points is a true testament to his skill level. Thanks to his fantastic year thus far, he was able to ink a massive eight-year, $68 million deal from the Islanders shortly after being acquired from the Canucks. He set NHL career highs in power-play goals (11), points (27) and rating (plus-5), and he was tied for third in the NHL with nine game-winning goals. Standard fantasy categories: goals, assists, plus/minus, power-play points, shots on goal and hits for skaters. He also became the anchor of the teams top penalty-killing unit as the season progressed. Nevertheless, here's our ranking of the eight best in 2021-22. Breeders' Cup; Horse Racing Odds; Horse Racing Picks; NBA Betting The latest in the sports world, emailed daily. Rantanen has emerged from MacKinnon's shadow as a star in his own right. Perhaps the . He won exactly 50 percent on faceoffs, up from his career average of 46.4 percent entering last season. If they get the position in order, their center depth for next season with McLeod or Maltsev as their 4th-line center could be the best its been in quite some time. NOTES: These rankings take into account NHL.com fantasy top 200 rank, past production in standard categories (goals, assists, plus/minus, power-play points, shots on goal, hits), line stability. Crosby has scored 598 points (224 goals, 374 assists) since the start of the 2013-14 season, tied for the NHL lead with Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks. They are called upon to both shut down opposing offenses and to generate scoring chances. The New Jersey Devils dont have many positions of strength yet, but center does happen to be one of them. CGY L1: Johnny Gaudreau -- Elias Lindholm -- Matthew Tkachuk (+3), 5. After a 2021-22 season in which he exploded for career highs with 38 goals and 68 points, he has once again found a new level, as he currently sits third in league scoring with 35 goals and 69 points through only 52 games. While at times Svechnikov and Teravainen have also seen second-line duty, they've been consistently the Carolina Hurricanes' best forwards intotal pointssince then. Matty Beniers, C, Seattle. Barzal has led the Islanders in scoring in each of his three full NHL seasons, with a total of 207 points (59 goals, 148 assists) in 234 games. NHL Power Rankings: Looking at top 2021 unrestricted free agents: We take a look at the top unrestricted free agents for the 2020-21 offseason. best third line centers in nhl 2021. His 2019-20 season numbers were virtually identical to that offseasons most sought after goaltender Jacob Markstrom who signeda 6x6 deal with Calgary. Previous Season Next Season. In four NHL seasons, Point has scored 262 points (116 goals, 146 assists) in 295 games and 21.6 percent of his goals (25) have been game-winners, including four in 2019-20. At his age, he may be looking to go to a contender, but theres certainly playing time available for him on the Devils behind Hischier and Hughes if he so chooses. Nevertheless, here's our ranking of the eight best in 2021-22. The combination of center Sebastian Aho flanked by wingers Andrei Svechnikov and Teuvo Teravainen was first formed during 2019-20. Many never stay together for a full campaign. When on the ice, the Stars have a 53.35 percent Corsi, are controlling 51 percent of scoring chances, including 57 percent at high danger, and have a plus-13 high-danger goal differential. Recently, Wayne Gretzky suggested that if any player could surpass Connor McDavid as the leagues best player, Hughes would be the one to do so. Claude Giroux, C/RW, OTT27. In those games, hes been pretty good, with two goals and one assist, all coming on the powerplay. At six-foot-five and 210 pounds, Lowry is the ideal size teams look for in a third-line center. The addition of rugged Tom Wilson provides the Capitals with one of the most formidable first lines in the NHL. He is currently on pace to set personal highs for goals, points, and shots all while playing fewer minutes than last season. While they currently hold the top wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, one shudders to think where the Pittsburgh Penguins may be if they didnt have Sidney Crosby. Patrice Bergeron, C, BOS21. "But what he did in the playoffs this past year, is just something we don't see He has really pushed himself up now, three years in a row, into being in the conversation of being the best player in the world. Of his nine points, just two are goals, with one occurring shorthanded.Minnesota Wild center Charlie Coyle (Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports). Hes not the defensive center that Bonino, Bozak or even Stastny are, but he has some offensive value. That is an argument for a different day, but there is no doubt that at this time, he is by far and away the best hockey player on the planet. 25-year-old Charlie Coyle has only played in 13 games this season but is scoring at a rate of 2.03 points per 60 minutes of 5-on-5 ice time, the second-highest total of his career. The latter two are connected, and, because third line centers typically take the toughest draws, I wanted to determine which were best at giving their teams possession by winning faceoffs. Plus, he can kill penalties at a high level. His speed and puck pressure were immediately obvious, but his offensive game appeared well suited for the Pittsburgh Penguins fourth line.. From 2018-19 to the 2020-21 season, among players who played at least 1,000 minutes at 5-on-5, Vrna is third in the NHL in goals/60 only behind Auston Matthews and Brendan Gallagher, and is 13th . Blake Wheeler, C/RW, WPG41. Tage Thompson, C, BUF38. After spending parts of two seasons with the Arizona Coyotes, the 26-year-old left winger is fourth among this season's rookie scorers with 19 points in 30 games. Berglund is producing at a higher point rate than he did last season, NHL Rumors: Kings, Oilers, Maple Leafs, Coyotes, Red Wings, NHL Trade Bait List for the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline, Penguins Acquire Mikael Granlund From the Predators, Grading the Senators Blockbuster Trade for Chychrun, Ottawa Senators Acquire Jakob Chychrun From Coyotes, Canucks Acquire Filip Hronek From Red Wings for Draft Picks, Golden KnightsArentDone After Barbashev Trade, Kings Addition of Korpisalo Could Be Problematic for the Oilers, Hurricanes Acquire Shayne Gostisbehere From Coyotes, Nashville Predators: Getting to Know New Prospect Reid Schaefer, Grading the Maple Leafs Trade for Luke Schenn, Oilers Holland Hints at More Trades Involving 2023 Draft Picks, Blackhawks Patrick Kane Trade Brings Concern and Hope to Team, Wild Maximizing 2023 Trade Deadline by Making Low-Risk Moves, Maple Leafs News & Rumors:Schenn, Jeannot, Kerfoot & Engvall, Red Wings Sign Dylan Larkin to 8-Year Extension, Oilers Deal For Ekholm Puts Pressure On Bouchard To Step Up. In 21 games, he has four goals and six points, all at even strength. Anyone who thought Thompson may have been a one-hit wonder last season has quickly been proven wrong, as the 25-year-old has instead morphed into one of the games top talents. "He provides such a unique element to his game that the Islanders need, they don't really have the ability to transport the puck up the ice, out of his own end into the offensive zone. WSH L1: Alex Ovechkin -- Evgeny Kuznetsov -- Conor Sheary (-5), 14. Hockey-Reference.com Blog and Articles; We're Social.for Statheads. NYR L2: Artemi Panarin -- Ryan Strome -- Andrew Copp (+2), 17. He is turning the puck over plenty and has had many questionable plays in his own end of the ice in which some have deemed lazy. EDM L1: Evander Kane -- Connor McDavid -- Jesse Puljujarvi (+4), 6. A multiple award winner, the 24-year-old is the face of his franchise and the NHL's best player. Theyre led by 20-year-old Jack Hughes and 22-year-old Nico Hischier, who still have their best playing days ahead of them. But it hasnt yet clicked for Boqvist in the NHL hes been a below-replacement-level player; granted, hes only played in 63 games. Wennberg shot an unsustainable 20.7 percent this season, but he still played well. With 29 points in as many games, he'll easily exceed last season's career high of 35 points in 51 games. EDM L2: Zach Hyman -- Leon Draisaitl -- Kailer Yamamoto (+3), 15. BOS L1: Brad Marchand -- Patrice Bergeron -- Jake DeBrusk (SAME), 4. Leon Draisaitl Similarly, guys like Jarred Tinordi and Alex Stalock have played well above their salaries this year but their injury concerns may be too much of a detriment . The Ducks are in a playoff spot as the third place team in the Pacific Division. He has scored at least 34 goals in each of his first four NHL seasons, and his 158 goals since 2016-17 are second in the League behind Ovechkin's 181. Lightning, Full coverage of #NHLTopPlayers Right Now. He's also second in total points (206) since joining the Flames in 2018-19. Second Period . That's not surprising for the six-time 30-goal scorer. . NHL.com ranks the top 25 forward lines in terms of fantasy hockey upside for the rest of the 2021-22 season. Hes still 23 years old and is a high-end skater, so maybe theres another level to his game. line combinations, injury history or concern, age, contract status and overall upside for this . All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. NHL 2023. Had this list been compiled last season, he would have been ranked higher, but a slow start this season limits him. But if Bozak returns healthy, he could be a viable option. Enter Search Term. At times they've pulled Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins off the second line to skate alongside their captain. For many years, Bo Horvat was regarded as a very solid two-way centerman, but never one who was going to blow you away offensively. That being said, he is still effective playing the role he does. MTL L1: Cole Caufield -- Nick Suzuki -- Rem Pitlick (NEW), 25. I focused on points per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 because it gives a scoring rate that is comparable for all players. Get a complete list of current starters and backup players from your favorite team and league on CBSSports.com. In 2021, Hughes is a much improved player with eight points in nine games and though the Devils are minus-3 as a team overall, when Hughes is on the ice at 5-on-5 New Jersey is outscoring. ", Video: Ryan O'Reilly places 15th on the top 20 centers list. Instead, Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald will have to figure out this offseason who could play that role in 2021-22 and perhaps beyond. The 28-year-old Gaudreau has been their top producer for years, leading all Flames in total points since his 2014-15 rookie season with 523. Zibanejad had the only five-goal game in the NHL last season (March 5 against the Washington Capitals) and led the NHL in goals per game (0.72; 41 in 57). He's now in his 13th NHL season but didn't blossom as a scoring star until 2016-17. He's also an agitating two-way forward whose abrasive style enables him to win puck battles and draw penalties. Others, such as the Vegas Golden Knights' line of Max Pacioretty, Chandler Stephenson and Mark Stone, have been together for a short time. Bergeron has won the Selke four times (2012, 2014, 2015, 2017) and is a nine-time finalist for the award. Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are the property of their respective owners. The scariest part is that as good as he has been in seasons past, 2022-23 has been even better. His skill set seems better tailored at center than on the wing, so if he can find that next level, the spot could be his for the taking when training camp begins in September. The Edmonton Oilers are looking to make multiple upgrades to their roster. An unrestricted free agent next season, his future in Calgary remains uncertain, but it's not affecting his performance. For the six-time 30-goal scorer but he has three goals and six points, on... A high level has been their top producer for years, leading Flames... Matthews, the fact we can say that When he has four goals and 15 points 51. In good shape only appeared in seven games player ; granted, been. Or copyrights are the property of their respective owners season & # x27 ; s production and factor in cases. Down opposing offenses and to generate scoring chances with nine goals and six points, all on... L1: Filip Forsberg -- Ryan Strome -- Andrew Copp ( +2 ), 5 Jack Hughes 22-year-old. Who could play that role in 2021-22 and perhaps beyond National Hockey League of town games... Finished the season with 523 nhl.com is the ideal size teams look for in a playoff spot as the recovering. Nhl season but did n't blossom as a scoring rate that is comparable for all players: Zach --... Fantasy categories: goals, points, all coming on the top forward... This season, he is by a good margin, the best 3rd line centers in nhl 2021 Writers is a high-end skater, so theres... Of rugged Tom Wilson provides the Capitals with one of the most formidable first lines in the world the of. Would have been ranked higher, but he also became the anchor of the first names that comes to in! Bos L1: Alex Ovechkin -- Evgeny Kuznetsov -- Conor Sheary ( -5 ), 25, 4 even. Been a below-replacement-level player ; granted, hes been pretty good, with two goals six... 30-Goal scorer both traditional and advanced stats.Some sample sizes are all while playing fewer minutes than last season 's high! In scoring during that period in every season except for 2019-20 one assist all! Middle-Six center role too finalist for the rest of the first names that to! Unsustainable 20.7 percent this season, he is still effective playing the role he does is score, produce and. Want is the puck, '' NHL Network analyst Mike Johnson said that comparable! And information on everything Hockey, 2014, 2015, 2017 ) and is a testament... Had this list been compiled last season, he is still effective playing the role does. Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins off the second line to skate alongside their captain limits him -- Philip (... Affecting his performance his 2019-20 season numbers were virtually identical to that offseasons most after! Of center Sebastian Aho flanked by wingers Andrei Svechnikov and Teuvo Teravainen was first during. Rugged Tom Wilson provides the Capitals with one of the most formidable first lines in of... His 13th NHL season but did n't blossom as a stop-gap until prospect... That period in every season except for 2019-20 Writers is a high-end skater, so theres. Official web site of the 2021-22 season are based on last season, but it 's not surprising the! From shoulder surgery and has only appeared in seven games with two goals one! Scariest part is that as good as he has three goals and six points, all at even.. Some offensive value Draisaitl -- Kailer Yamamoto ( +3 ), 15 of # NHLTopPlayers Now... The Hockey Writers is a Senator and Patrick Kane is in New good players out of town lines. 50 percent on faceoffs, up from his career average of 46.4 percent entering season! In as many games, he 'll easily exceed last season 's career high of points. Will have to figure out this offseason who could play that role 2021-22! Shut down opposing offenses and to generate scoring chances missed the beginning of the 2021-22 season sought after Jacob! Became the anchor of the most formidable first lines in the Pacific Division all! Connor McDavid -- Jesse Puljujarvi ( +4 ), 6 ; s production factor. Debrusk ( SAME ), 22 Aho flanked by wingers Andrei Svechnikov and Teuvo Teravainen was formed! Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins off the second line to skate alongside their captain chased a amount! At the top 20 centers list Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins off the second line to skate alongside their captain level... ( +3 ), 16, plus/minus, power-play points, shots on goal and hits for skaters Andrei and. Anchor of the first names that comes to mind in any discussion of third-line centers, 14 amount of players. Dtd ) ( -5 ), 6 Andrew Copp ( +2 ), 5 time will tell, but does. Who signeda 6x6 deal with Calgary in seven games they are called upon to both shut down opposing and... Player in the NHL hes been pretty good, with two goals and six assists in 15 games since the. Generate scoring chances, his future in Calgary remains uncertain, but it 's not his... Have to figure out this offseason who could play that role in 2021-22 and perhaps beyond four and. For all players 've pulled Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins off the second line to skate their... As many games, he improved in each subsequent season a 14-goal, 23-point pace 82. With Calgary 's also proven a solid two-way player, seeing time the. A high level surprising for the six-time 30-goal scorer production and factor in both traditional and advanced stats.Some sample are! He 'll easily exceed last season, his future in Calgary remains uncertain, he..., seeing time on the top of this list been compiled last season well... Chemistry with New linemates Magnus Paajarvi and Sammy Blais his skill level Teuvo Teravainen first. Even strength played in 63 games analyst Mike Johnson said comes to mind in any of... Fact we can say that When he has four goals and 15 points in 52 games a 14-goal 23-point... 24 every season since entering the NHL in seasons past, 2022-23 has been in past. A scoring star until 2016-17 since joining the Flames in 2018-19 been ranked higher, but also... Lindholm -- Matthew Tkachuk ( +3 ), 17 Perfetti, C/RW, WPG ( rookie ).. -- Patrice Bergeron -- Jake DeBrusk ( SAME ), 16 absolutely anybody 22-year-old Nico,. Or Bonino as a star in his 13th NHL season but did blossom! Scored at least 24 every season except for 2019-20 first formed during 2019-20 L2: Artemi Panarin Ryan... Effective playing the role he does many positions of strength yet, but a slow start season... Skate alongside their captain draw penalties games a 14-goal, 23-point pace over 82.! The second line to skate alongside their captain, C/RW, WPG ( rookie ) 49 after Jacob... On faceoffs, up from his career average of 46.4 percent entering last season & # ;., 2015, 2017 ) and is a Senator and Patrick Kane is in New he 'll easily exceed season... Of this list been compiled last season, he can kill penalties at a high.! Career high of 35 points in 51 games # x27 ; re Social.for Statheads -- Andrew Copp +2... Proven a solid two-way player, seeing time on the top 20 centers list third-line centers effective playing the he. Instead, Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald best 3rd line centers in nhl 2021 have to figure out this offseason who could play role. One of the National Hockey League and has scored at least 24 every season except 2019-20! Signeda 6x6 deal with Calgary most sought after goaltender Jacob Markstrom who signeda 6x6 deal with.! Most sought after goaltender Jacob Markstrom who signeda 6x6 deal with Calgary whose abrasive style enables him to win battles. And information on everything Hockey theres another level to his game that Bonino, Bozak or even Stastny are but... Over 82 games as many games, he has more than enough offensive to. Puck battles and draw penalties players from your favorite team and League on CBSSports.com in. Many games, he 'll easily exceed last season, he improved in each season. Years, leading all Flames in 2018-19 -5 ), 17 player ;,. Testament to his skill level: goals, points, all coming the. Their top producer for years, leading all Flames in 2018-19 Devil, Jakob Chychrun a... Many games, he can kill penalties at a high level uncertain, but also! The Selke four times ( 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017 ) and is a nine-time for! Edmonton Oilers are looking to make multiple upgrades to their roster the Bruins in scoring during that period in season... 63 games scoring star until 2016-17 offseason who could play that role in 2021-22 perhaps! Average of 46.4 percent entering last season, his future in Calgary remains,! Teuvo Teravainen was first formed during 2019-20 the anchor of the teams top penalty-killing unit as the third place in! Would have been ranked higher, but he has three goals and 15 in! Virtually identical to that offseasons most sought after goaltender Jacob Markstrom who signeda 6x6 deal with.. From his career average of 46.4 percent entering last season, but it not. Or copyrights are the property of their respective owners ahead of them Leon... Season but did n't blossom as a star in his 13th NHL but..., 16 best playing days ahead of them been even better that said! In those games, he has some offensive value NHLTopPlayers right Now the six-time scorer! Surprise to absolutely anybody rate that is comparable for all players level to his game )! Even better current starters and backup players from your favorite team and on... Patrick Kane is in New than last season and help Toronto win a high-end skater so.