In this edition of the hotstove we share our rankings for the top-5 centers in the NHL right now.
Todd Cordell 1. Sidney Crosby - There's a reason TSN's staff has voted him the top player in the league six years running.
2. Evgeni Malkin - When he's at his best I'm not sure there's a more dominant player in hockey. Has three 100 point seasons to his name and has averaged at least a point per game in all seven seasons he has dressed in 60 games or more.
3. Jonathan Toews - There may not be a better two-way forward in hockey and he's scored at least 28 goals in four of the last five years.
4. Steven Stamkos - He has scored at least 43 goals every (full) season since his rookie year. I know Cooper used him on the wing at times last year but he's a natural center and certainly prefers to play there.
5. Tyler Seguin - He's recorded 161 points in 151 games over the last two seasons and is still getting better. There's a good chance he'll rank higher next year at this time.
Tim Chiasson 1. Sidney Crosby: He is the best hockey player in the world. What else is there to say?
2. Evgeni Malkin: Everyone knows Malkin is great, but here's a second line center who is a first line center on 29 other teams. He's great all around and keeps Pittsburgh tough during the Crosby injuries.
3. Anze Kopitar: Here's a guy that never gets enough credit for what he does. Nearly a point a game career player, fantastic possession guy and just a great hockey player in general. Kopitar should be talked about the way Patrice Bergeron is, because Kopitar is better.
4. Jonathan Toews: Fantastic hockey player and so much fun to watch play. Toews can score, defend, set up offense and is the clear-cut leader on a modern day dynasty. It would be ridiculous to leave him off the list.
5. Tyler Seguin: If it weren't for an injury last year, Seguin could have won the Art Ross. Boston threw this guy under the bus and he responded by shoving their nonsense down their throat. Offensive threat (scoring and play-making), solid possession guy, back to back 37 goal scorer and over a point per game each of the last two seasons.
John Jaeckel 1. Jonathan Toews The best all-around center in the game. Wins face-offs, kills penalties, scores, sets up, leads, defends (+30 last year), wins. 2. Sidney Crosby Still the best pure scorer in the game. No slouch in others areas either. 3. Anze Kopitar All-around center and proven winner 4. John Tavares Rising star in the do-it-all category, offensively gifted 5. Pavel Datsyuk He was Toews before Toews was. Still a terrific player at age 37.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: Ryan Getzlaf, Henrik Sedin, Claude Giroux, Patrice Bergeron, Nick Backstrom, Tyler Seguin
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