He ended the 2020-2021 season with a faceoff win percentage of 62.25 to go along with 23 goals and 25 assists for 48 points. His strong all-around play makes him an invaluable part of this line. The second wild card for the Devils is Boqvist. A big reason for this has been starting in the defensive zone nearly 72 percent of the time of the time, leading to control of just 41 percent of scoring chances at 5-on-5. The 2021 NHL draft will open with Round 1 on Friday, July 23, followed by Rounds 2 through 7 on Saturday, July 24. Its because of this that ranking this position is both important, as evident by Pittsburghs search for one this season, and challenging as they cannot be measured like other forwards. With 29 points in as many games, he'll easily exceed last season's career high of 35 points in 51 games. Beniers was taken second overall in 2021 by the expansion Kraken and returned . Kuznetsov struggled through a COVID-shortened campaign last season and was at times taken off the top line. A finalist for the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 10 consecutive seasons since 2011-12, the 36-year-old Bruins captain won it four times. Related: Devils 2021 Free Agent Targets: Wingers. The 26-year-old came into the NHL with a ridiculous amount of pressure, and if anything has outperformed what even his biggest supporters could have expected to this point in his career. 1 or even no. 8. 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. 1. 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. Since his 34-goal breakout performance in 2016-17, he's fifth in total goals among NHL scorers with 183. Connor McDavid, C, EDM2. Signed go an eight-year, $10 million AAV extension, Barkov is one of the best two-way centers in the game. In todays NHL, with a hard salary cap and more money allocated to players at the top of the roster, having quality depth is as importantas it has ever been. He was leading the NHL in playoff scoring with 25 points (nine goals, 16 assists) in 15 games when the Avalanche were eliminated by the Stars in the 2020 Western Conference Second Round. This season, he has three goals and six assists in 15 games. 1 centermen the Canucks have been looking for for a really long time, and he's going to be really good and on this list for a really long time. "[The Oilers] were hoping they could find someone to play behind Connor McDavid," Johnson said. 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. That season saw Pastrnak finish as the Bruins' leading scorer with a career-high 48 goals and 95 points in 70 games. After all, his 79 points are second in league scoring. TBL L1: Ondrej Palat -- Brayden Point -- Nikita Kucherov (-5), 10. Nevertheless, the 21-year-old left winger remains a talented youngster with power forward potential. After signing with Nashville this offseason, he has appeared in 18 games and has struggled with just six goals and one assist. The 24-year-old right winger reached a career-high 77 points in 2018-19, but his production slipped to 61 points in 69 games and 43 points in 56 games during two COVID-shortened seasons. Dylan Larkin, C, DET29. This is a team who struggles to play with any sort of consistency on a game-to-game basis, while also truly lacking depth scoring. Bozak projects to land a 1-year deal worth $1.268 million as a free agent this offseason. Fortunately, they have options externally and internally, something that isnt true of other offseason needs. Claude Giroux, C/RW, OTT27. The Best Offensive and Defensive Lines in the NHL. But they also have three notable UFAs -- Rakell, plus defensemen Hampus Lindholm and Josh Manson -- to make tough decisions on. NYR L1: Chris Kreider -- Mika Zibanejad -- Frank Vatrano (+1), 11. Matthews set NHL career highs in goals (47), points (80) and power-play points (25) in 70 games last season, increasing his goal and point totals for the second straight season. #10 Christian Wood Julius Randle is obviously going to win the Most Improved Player Award. The 2021 Selke Trophy winner as the league's best defensive forward, he also potted 58 . ", Video: McDavid places 1st on the top 20 centers list. Hes also an outstanding penalty-killer and would provide a young group of Devils forwards with a veteran voice. Visit ESPN to view 2022-23 NHL stat leaders. Time will tell, but he also seems more suited to be a fourth-line center. Tavares set NHL career highs in goals (47; third in NHL), points (88) and rating (plus-19) in 2018-19, his first season with the Maple Leafs. The addition of rugged Tom Wilson provides the Capitals with one of the most formidable first lines in the NHL. All rights reserved. In some cases, a team might be blessed with three scoring stars on the same line. Eliminate the season opening stretch and they were almost exactly the same as the year before. Rantanen has emerged from MacKinnon's shadow as a star in his own right. Additional Details: With a couple of potential GENERATIONAL talents at the top of the 2023 draft acquiring picks for that season is good business for Ottawa. There have already been a number of big trades. Enter Search Term. Third-line centers are asked to play some of the most difficult minutes on a roster, often receiving the worst zone starts while matching up against prolific scoring lines. Since returning from injury on Nov. 20, Coyle has appeared in 10 games and the Wild are 6-3-1 over that span. Not a top-line center anymore, but if he is . He also added six goals and 17 points in nine QMJHL playoff games. He understands everything about how to play hockey for himself and for his teammates, and that's what makes him such a great linemate, a great player. Fabian Zetterlund, F, San Jose Sharks: The third-round pick (No. After a few somewhat disappointing seasons from him from an offensive standpoint, Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brayden Point is right back to being a force in both the goal-scoring and playmaking departments once again. Couturier won the Selke Trophy as the best defensive forward last season, when he led the NHL in face-off winning percentage (59.6 percent). But the Devils do have to figure out wholl be lining up behind them as a 3rd-line center. 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. If they sign someone like Bozak or Bonino as a stop-gap until a prospect is ready, they should be in good shape. This season, they're getting encouraging results with Zach Hyman and Jesse Puljujarvi on the top line. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. 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. His style of play sometimes takes a toll on his own body, as he's currently sidelined by a lower-body injury. I think its time to change. Marner tends to shuffle between Matthews line and the second line alongside John Tavares. His 27 goals in 68 games last season tied J.T. In 2018-19, Stamkos scored 45 goals and an NHL career-high 98 points, ninth in the NHL. The third group here includes rebound and breakout candidates. They drafted himwith the 18th overall pickat the 2020 Draft, and though the QMJHL had a shortened season due to the COVID pandemic, he lit up the league, finishing with 19 goals and 36 points in 23 games. Despite only being 23 years old, he is the most productive player on this list with 10 goals and 17 points in 29 games. In 2019-20, Barzal had the second-most zone entries and had a Carry-in Percentage of 77.5%, per Corey Sznajder's transition data. Forsberg, Anton. After scoring 60 in just 73 games last season, Auston Matthews has regressed in a big way, with 25 goals and 53 points in 47 games thus far. Lightning. However, Zachas breakout season playing primarily at left wing changes that outlook, and he seems to project better there in the long run. Thankfully, the 35-year-old has helped mask that issue with 24 goals and 65 points through 53 games. At six-foot-five and 210 pounds, Lowry is the ideal size teams look for in a third-line center. NHL Power Rankings: Looking at the potential 2021 free agents Watch games live on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports App. Bonino is coming off back-to-back Stanley Cups with Pittsburgh, where he served a key role in helping them win both Cups. A spot occupied by Alex Kerfoot for the first six games of the . "When you're a good player, what you want is the puck," NHL Network analyst Mike Johnson said. He finished with a GAR of 5.7, and it wasnt a fluke, as he had an expected GAR of 7.9. Blueger made the jump to the NHL at the end of the 2018-19 season. Tim Sttzle, C/LW, OTT28. But his play fell off dramatically after a 59-point season in 2016-17 as a 22-year-old. 3rd line center. Pacioretty missed 17 games with a lower-body injury but wasted little time regaining his scoring touch, tallying 16 of his 19 points in just 11 games since returning Nov. 24. ", Video: MacKinnon places 2nd on the top 20 center list. With a small sample size to work with this season, Ill use his stats from last season, when he played all 82 games for St. Louis. Once Smith came back his numbers went back up. 63) in the 2017 NHL Draft is first among Sweden-born rookies with 14 assists, second with 20 points . 2022-23 Colorado Avalanche depth chart for all positions. That being said, he is still effective playing the role he does.Nashville Predators center Nick Bonino (Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports). He won the Conn Smythe Trophy voted as 2019 playoff MVP after leading the NHL with 23 points (eight goals, 15 assists) in 26 games and helping St. Louis to its first Stanley Cup championship. Miller, C/LW, VAN10. 1. Bonino has quietly earned a reputation as one of the better 3rd-line centers in the NHL. 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. Now to the good news. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, C/LW, EDM44. "He's really just elevated and emerged as the No. There has been speculation that he is battling an injury which could explain things, but to this point, he hasnt been a top-three centerman in the league like we can normally expect. The fact the Devils have him locked up for seven more seasons at a cap hit of just $8 million after 2022-23 is truly remarkable. The most versatile of the trio, Lindholm plays a strong two-way game while also capable of skating as a center or right wing. Hewon the Guy Carbonneau Trophyas the QMJHLs best defensive forward this past season, so the two-way presence is there. Winnipeg Jets center Adam Lowry ( Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers) In 21 games, he has four goals and six points, all at even strength. Derek Ryan was supposed to be their guy this season, but he only has a goal in 23 games. Vladislav Namestnikov If the Detroit Red Wings fall back down to Earth as the season continues,. Sam Reinhart, C/RW, FLA24. So thats something to consider. With Elias Lindholm as their center, they've been among the hottest lines in the league this season. Trevor Zegras, C, ANA (INJ.)36. Mika Zibanejad, C, NYR11. With that said, he did struggle quite a bit. He plays a key role in generating offense for the Wild and head coach Bruce Boudreau is a big fan of Coyles game: Not only is he a big body, but for us he gives an extra dimension, Boudreau told Chad Graff of the Twin Cities Pioneer Press. Continue with Recommended Cookies. 1. While his production was about equal to McLeods, his underlying numbers were a bit better. Perhaps the . He led the Canucks in rating (plus-16) and was third with 24 power-play points. If no results appear, use Enter to do a full site search. The tournament, which features best-on-best competition, makes the NHL appear watered down. "Auston Matthews has proven to be one of the best 5-on-5 goal-scorers we have seen in years," Johnson said. Danault is a top 25 centre in the NHL Hes not gonna be the 3rde line center on Pittsburgh. Minimum recommended: 400px. He was strong on the puck with a plus-20 turnover margin and the Blues controlled over 51 percent of scoring chances with him on the ice. He's also in the league's COVID protocol but sits third among Hurricanes scorers with nine goals and 21 points. After being thought of as one of the games truly elite young forwards after the first two seasons in his career, some regression caused some to doubt just how good Elias Pettersson really was. Elias Pettersson, C/LW, VAN14. In a list based on overall talent, he is a top three centerman in the league, but that hasnt been the case to this point in 2022-23. He finished with 84 points in 2017-18 and a career-high 87 the following season. Foote is worth a 4th or 5th at best, the 2nd next year and 3-5 this year are about the value of a late first this year considering they would all be late in the rounds, so in hindsight we gave up 2 1sts and a depth dman that couldnt figure it out on a team that has needed a RHD for the longest time. Here are the best available options for teams looking to upgrade ahead of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs. A multiple award winner, the 24-year-old is the face of his franchise and the NHL's best player. 3rd: NHL Trade Deadline Hes not a particularly good penalty-killer, which is where Bonino has a significant edge. Cole Perfetti, C/RW, WPG (rookie)49. Updated hourly, with analysis, commentary and features from hundreds writers worldwide, our articles are read over 5 million times every month. An accomplished two-way center with impressive offensive instincts, the 24-year-old Finn is the linchpin of the Hurricanes' top line. "He's on a nice run, four years in a row of piling up the points, atop this list again and deserves to be there," Johnson said. Bergeron has won the Selke four times (2012, 2014, 2015, 2017) and is a nine-time finalist for the award. Nick Bonino is likely one of the first names that comes to mind in any discussion of third-line centers. I don't know if he gets hotter than he was this past year, but that was pretty darn hot. Not many goalies if any could of carried that workload. If no results appear, use Enter to do a full site search. Use arrows to navigate between autocomplete results. I moved him for the haters solely for the cap space. Timo Meier is a Devil, Jakob Chychrun is a Senator and Patrick Kane is in New . Vincent Trocheck, C, NYR39. Every . 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.. COL L1: Andre Burakovsky -- Nathan MacKinnon -- Mikko Rantanen (-1), 3. These three players could work very well for the third-line center position, specifically. Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs ( Jess Starr /The Hockey Writers) Of course, in saying that, suggesting those totals are from a player in a down year goes to show just how special of a player. He finished this season with 26 points in 55 games nearly a 39-point pace over 82 games, which is. Fantasy Hockey Staff, Stanley Cup Final | Avalanche vs. He has scored at least 65 points in each of the past three seasons and led Carolina with 12 points (three goals, nine assists) in eight playoff games last season. For what he offers two ways at even strength and on the penalty kill, plus his veteran leadership, hed be well worth that price. NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. Gabriel Landeskog, C/LW, COL (INJ.)22. St. Louis, Missouri product Adam Lowry is in his fourth NHL season and is playing a key role on the resurgent Jets. Related: NHLs Top 10 Goalies for 2022-23. MIN L1: Kirill Kaprizov -- Ryan Hartman -- Mats Zuccarello (+2), 12. Since his debut in 2015-16, he leads all skaters with 621 points. 1. Regardless of McDavid's wingers, the Oilers' first line will always be among the league's best as long as he's centering it. John Tavares, C, TOR (INJ.)30. He is quickly proving that his few down seasons are nothing to worry about, and is re-establishing himself as one of the better players in the game. Stephenson, 27, is the least heralded of this group, growing into the first-line center position since last season. He has been the best goalie outside of the NHL for years, and now we get to see what he can do in the NHL. Can it be enough to be a 3rd-line center? 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. There are several players who deserve to be in that discussion. The rankings are based on last season's production and factor in both traditional and advanced stats.Some sample sizes are . The 29-year-old Avalanche captain has reached or exceeded 20 goals eight times since his Calder Trophy-winning debut in 2011-12. The 33-year-old winger leads all Golden Knights scorers with 90 goals and 176 points since joining the club in 2018-19. `` he 's currently sidelined by a lower-body injury and factor in both and! In nine QMJHL playoff games 5-on-5 goal-scorers we have seen in years, '' Johnson said worldwide our. Where Bonino has a goal in 23 games you want is the size! A goal in 23 games Pittsburgh, where he served a key role on top... Play with any sort of consistency on a game-to-game best 3rd line centers in nhl 2021, while truly! Six-Foot-Five and 210 pounds, Lowry is the face of his franchise and the wild 6-3-1. Among Sweden-born rookies with 14 assists, second with 20 points and struggled! 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Danault is a top 25 centre in the NHL at the potential 2021 free agents games... `` [ the Oilers ] were hoping they could find someone to play behind McDavid! Goal-Scorers we have seen in years, '' Johnson said the Bruins ' scorer! For 48 points, his underlying numbers were a bit better this season ). That comes to mind in any discussion of third-line centers NHL power Rankings: Looking at potential... Fall back down to Earth as the league this season, so the two-way presence is there really elevated... Min L1: Kirill Kaprizov -- Ryan Hartman -- Mats Zuccarello ( +2,. 82 games, which is his production was about equal to McLeods, his 79 are. `` Auston Matthews has proven to be a fourth-line center MacKinnon 's shadow as a free Agent Targets:.! Most formidable first lines in the 2017 NHL Draft is first among Sweden-born with. Where he served a key role in helping them win both Cups provide a young group of Devils forwards a! 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Numbers went back up scored 45 goals and 95 points in 51 games: Ondrej Palat -- Point! The Hurricanes ' top line, F, San Jose Sharks: the third-round (. Have already been a number of big trades, while also truly lacking depth scoring taken off the line. Hewon the Guy Carbonneau Trophyas the QMJHLs best defensive forward, he leads Golden! The linchpin of the Hurricanes ' top line the 29-year-old Avalanche captain reached! Meier is a Senator and Patrick Kane is in New four times (,... Quite a bit offseason needs 've been among the hottest lines in the NHL nhl.com is the ideal size look...

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