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In this edition of the hotstove, we share our rankings for the top-5 centers in the Western Conference.
Todd Cordell
1. Connor McDavid
He led the league in points, 5v5 points, and posted a plus-20 5v5 goal differential on a team that was outscored by 13 in that game state. He is as dynamic, and dominant, as anyone I have seen.
2. Nathan MacKinnon
He was the driving force behind an Avalanche team that was much better than anyone anticipated. The skillset has always been there and it looks like he is finally piecing it all together.
3. Anze Kopitar
He isn't flashy but he is one of the top players in the league at both ends of the ice.
4. Mark Scheifele
Scheifele has averaged 32 goals and 84 points per 82 games played over the last two seasons and emerged as one of the bigger offensive threats in the league.
5. Tyler Seguin
He is fast, dynamic, and as consistent as they come having registered no fewer than 72 points in any of the last five years.
Sean Maloughney
1. Connor McDavid.
Best player in the game. Period.
2. Mark Scheifele
Injury prevented a second consecutive 80 point season and had he played full 82 I have no doubt he would have done it. Unbelievable offensive talent.
3. Anze Kopitar
Similar to Bergeron what makes Kopitar great is his two way game and ability to be dangerous at both ends of the ice. Will be interesting to watch his numbers playing with Kovalchuk.
4. Nathan MacKinnon
Debated on putting Mackinnon before Kopitar but I need to see him do something similar this season. MacKinnon was a worthy Hart finalist as he dragged the Avalanche into a playoff spot.
5. Tyler Seguin
Dynamic goal scoring machine. Four 30+ goal seasons in the last 5 years including him reaching the 40 goal plateau for the first time in his career.
Peter Tessier
Well, number one is easy after that it gets a bit complicated.
1. Connor McDavid- can he carry a team alone all the way, maybe not yet but are there any players in the NHL who can now with the way the game is played? He's the best and let's not argue about it.
2. Nathan MacKinnon- the guy had an MVP season and basically brought the Avalanche back to the surface with a playoff appearance. He's not McDavid but he's damn good.
Now it gets tricky as there were only 4 point per game players in the west at centre.
3. Kopitar- even on the offensively challenged Kings, Anze had 92 points and 48 of them at even strength.
4. Seguin- 40 goals is huge and on the Stars even with the likes of Benn and Radulov to help he rose back and had a great season.
5. Scheifele- 60 games and 60 points 34 at even strength. Maybe the best contract in the league for his production given he's a centre.
Why no Golden Knights? I'm not sure what they did this past season is repeatable again this coming season. Both Karlsson and Marchessault have to prove this is what they are and not an aberration.
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