My Top 15 NHL Centers
There are a lot of things that go into determining what makes one player better than another. His ability to make plays for himself while also making those around him better. Playing well at both ends of the ice and being able to play in any situation. A guy you would have on the ice in the last minute whether you are a goal up or a goal down, and in the case of centermen, who you would trust to take that draw.
Apr 12, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews (19), Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jakub Kindl (4), and center Pavel Datsyuk (13) fight for the puck during the first period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports
I intended to go with a top 10, but there were simply too many elite players to limit it to that number. So as a result, here are my top 15 NHL pivotmen:
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Starting off, there are a number of players who didn’t make the cut, even in the top 15.
Four names that were tough to keep off the list but could easily be on many other people’s list are Eric Staal, Joe Thornton, Anze Kopitar and Ryan Kesler.
May 7, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; Vancouver Canucks center Ryan Kesler (17) pushes down San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton (19) during the overtime period in game four of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at HP Pavilion. The San Jose Sharks defeated the Vancouver Canucks 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
15. Mike Richards
May 21, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Mike Richards (10) against the San Jose Sharks during the third period of game four of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at HP Pavilion. The San Jose Sharks defeated the Los Angeles Kings 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
One of the most competitive and all-around centres in the game today. Won’t likely ever contend for a scoring title, but his leadership and awareness in both ends of the ice makes him a great player in the league.
14. John Tavares
May 11, 2013; Uniondale, NY, USA; New York Islanders center John Tavares (91) skates during pre-game warmups before game six of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
One of the fast-rising players in this ranking, could easily be a top 10 with another good season. Tavares is great offensively and still learning how to play in his own end, but has superior talent, even if many people don’t get to see it as often on Long Island.
13. Logan Couture
May 18, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings defenseman Rob Scuderi (7) attempts to block a shot by San Jose Sharks center Logan Couture (39) during the first period in game three of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at HP Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Steadily climbing, all Couture does is play smart hockey. His 2o13 playoff announced his true arrival and signaled a passing of the torch from Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau to Joe Pavelski and Couture.
May 6, 2013; New York, NY, USA; Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (19) handles the puck against the New York Rangers in game three of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports
Had an perceived off-season and not sure if he drives Alex Ovechkin or if Ovie drags Backstrom along. Either way, Backstrom ended up averaging a point per game in 2013 and is over a point per game in his career.
May 25, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Henrik Zetterberg (40) is defended by Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Johnny Oduya (27) uring the second period in game five of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports
One of the most well-round games in the league, especially among the elite level players. Zetterberg is a big reason why the Red Wings are competitive year after year.
10. Ryan Getzlaf
May 8, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf (15) moves the puck to score a goal against the Detroit Red Wings during the second period in game five of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
His the size and skill to be dominant, and after a disappointing 2011-12 season, Getzlaf bounced back with a good 2013 season to re-take his spot in the top-10.
9. Jason Spezza
May 24, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Ottawa Senators center Jason Spezza (19) on the ice against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period in game five of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 6-2 to close out the series. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Injuries derailed his 2013 season, but there is no doubting the fact that Spezza is one of the most creative offensive minds in the game. His defensive deficiencies have been overstated, and he has become one of the best faceoff men in the league.
Apr 27 2013; Ottawa, ON, CAN; Philadelphia Flyers rght wing Claude giroux (28) during warm ups prior to game against the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Place. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
The Flyers captain is one of the up and coming dynamic forwards in the game. His game is slightly ahead of Tavares, probably due to the quality of players around him.
Jun 24, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron (37) passes the puck against the Chicago Blackhawks during the first period in game six of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Michael Ivins-USA TODAY Sports
Truly one of the best two-way forwards in the game. Has shown clutch scoring ability and there isn’t a player you would rather have taking a big faceoff.
6. Henrik Sedin
Apr 6, 2013; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks center Henrik Sedin (33) during the second period against the Calgary Flames at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Sedin is set for a slide in the rankings, but for now he is still among the elite centres in the game. Works incredibly well off his twin brother and it would be interesting (but not likely) to see what these two would do if separated for an extended period of time.
May 27, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk (13) against the Chicago Blackhawks in game six of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
If Bergeron isn’t the best two-way player in the game, then it is Datsyuk, and the Russian adds top end offensive abilities and every time he has the puck he has the potential to tie up a defenseman’s legs like a pretzel.
Jun 24, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews (19) warms up before game six of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Michael Ivins-USA TODAY Sports
Captain Serious is another two-way forward who adds dynamic offensive abilities. He couldn’t get much going offensively in the Hawks’ run to the Cup, but his impact on the game didn’t suffer. Even when he isn’t scoring he is one of the best players on the ice.
Jun 3, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (71) handles the puck against the Boston Bruins during the first period in game two of the Eastern Conference finals of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Boston Bruins won 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Part of Pittsburgh’s incredible 1-2 punch up the middle he would be “the man” on any other team in the league. A two-time scoring champion and former MVP.
Apr 21, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) against the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period at the Tampa Bay Times Forum. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Perhaps the best sniper in the game today, Stamkos has blinding speed and has been either 1st or 2nd in the league in goals the last 4 seasons. Finished as the highest scoring centre in 2013, one point ahead of Crosby.
Jun 3, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) at the face-off circle against the Boston Bruins during the third period in game two of the Eastern Conference finals of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Boston Bruins won 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
There’s not much doubt about it, with the only knock against him being durability. There isn’t a more dynamic player who works harder at his game, and one for one, there isn’t a team out there that wouldn’t trade any player on their roster for Crosby, like him or not.
Conclusion
Obviously there is a reason why Canada has to be considered a favorite for the gold in Sochi. Their depth up the middle is unparallelled and of my top 15 centres, 10 of them are Canadian. As a result, there could be 3 or 4 of them not making the trek to Russia, and another 3 or 4 could be switched to the wing to make the team.
The Swedes have the second-most on my list, with three while Russia rounds out the list with two. The Americans were shut out of my list, with the best US centre, Ryan Kesler, getting the honorable mention nod.
Check back in the coming days as I break down the rest of the positions.
Feel free to debate my selections, or the ranking that I have given, in the comments section below. The thing with rankings like this, you could have 100 different people and no two rankings would be the same. I would like to hear your opinion as well.