HockeyBuzz Hotstove: Top-5 centers in the NHL age 22 and under

McKinnon’s first 3 seasons - .74 PPG
Eichel’s first three seasons .85 PPG

Even strength goals first three seasons -

MacKinnon - 41
Eichel - 52

Eichel has played less games as well.

They aren’t that close. Eichel will be better

Matthews

Sabres fans are gonna hate this. Therefore I love it

Whoa, how can a list like this not have Eichel.

If this article came out 2 weeks later(literally 9/2 and 9/1 respectively) Barkov and MacKinnon wouldn't be on it. They're going to be 23 when the season starts. They shouldn't be eligible to be considered in any kind of real sense, just an incredibly pedantic one.

Sabres fans are gonna hate this. Therefore I love it
- AxlRose91

I actually don't hate it. Jack Eichel is going to have to show us. period.

I actually don't hate it. Jack Eichel is going to have to show us. period.
- sabreadvocate1

Show us....what, exactly?

Someone's offended

Show us....what, exactly?
- sbroads24

That he worth the money. He can and should be better than he has been. I have been a fan since day one and have seen some individuals leading this team deep into to the playoffs. I am expecting the same from Eichel but he has to show us he can. Don't let him off the hook.

Connor McDavid - he outscored the entire NHL by almost 20 even-strength points last year
- James Tanner

I don't think this is accurate. I think that "the entire NHL" aside from McDavid had well over 1000 points.

That he worth the money. He can and should be better than he has been. I have been a fan since day one and have seen some individuals leading this team deep into to the playoffs. I am expecting the same from Eichel but he has to show us he can. Don't let him off the hook.
- sabreadvocate1

Sure, his contract. In terms of this list, his first three years were better than Mackinnon’s or Barkov.

If this list is based off of 1 season, then Barzal should be #2 behind McDavid

Sure, his contract. In terms of this list, his first three years were better than Mackinnon’s or Barkov.

If this list is based off of 1 season, then Barzal should be #2 behind McDavid
- sbroads24

First I don't think its fair to add Mackinnon and Barkov as they will both be 23 before the season starts.

With that said, I don't think It's based on just one season, and you can't just say that Eichel had a better first 3 years and take it as he will have a better 4th and 5th. Some players develop differently then others. Some take time and improve slowly, some explode out of the gate and never look back, some regress before they get better, and some regress and never make it back.

For example I'd take Mackinnon's first year over Eichel's first, but Eichel's 2nd and 3rd over Mackinnon's. I'd take Eichel's first 2 years over Barkov, but Barkov's 3rd over Eichel's. I think Eichel was actually worse in 3rd then in his 2nd, I didn't see any improvement.

Also out of the players mentioned, I think Eichel is the worse in his own end. I don't think McDavid or Mackinnon are anything special in that department, but both made up for it by really out scoring they others this past season, McDavid the season before as well. Barkov is in a totally different league defensively, and Matthews is below Barkov, but way ahead of Eichel. The only one I can't comment on is Barzel as I would like to see what he does now that he is going to be the main focus of the other team.

McDavid
Gap
2.a Barkov
2.b Mackinnon
small gap
3 Matthews
small gap
5.a Eichel
5.b Barzal

McDavid
Gap
2.a Barkov
2.b Mackinnon
small gap
3 Matthews
small gap
5.a Eichel
5.b Barzal
- Pet.m.d.

Nope

Eichel is criminally underrated. Had he not gotten injured the past 2 seasons he would've had back to back seasons of over 70 points. Not to mention while playing on bottom feeder sabres teams.

Add in Skinner and Dahlin this year, and if he stays healthy I could see a 90 point season no problem.

McDavid
Gap
2.a Barkov
2.b Mackinnon
small gap
3 Matthews
small gap
5.a Eichel
5.b Barzal
- Pet.m.d.

Matthews at 2 is literally the easiest thing to do how did you screw it up

it's a shame the Islanders fired Garth Snow and lost Tavares,

Eichel is criminally underrated. Had he not gotten injured the past 2 seasons he would've had back to back seasons of over 70 points. Not to mention while playing on bottom feeder sabres teams.

Add in Skinner and Dahlin this year, and if he stays healthy I could see a 90 point season no problem.
- FLAM3SFAN

I hope you are right.

McDavid
Matthews
Mackinnon
Eichel
Barkov

Draisaitl
Barzal
Point
Monahan
Horvat

Nope
- poopstash

What chu mean hoss? We are separating short and curly 's here...I love Barkov's defense, and Mack can straight up fly. I love Matthews but he ain't there yet

Vukota,

Im glad another isles fan saw that. I spit my drink out when i read that

PLD. In 1 more year everyone will know the name.

McDavid
Matthews
Mackinnon
Eichel
Barkov

Draisaitl
Barzal
Point
Monahan
Horvat
- Wissler

Monahan is 23, which is why this hotstove is dumb because barkov and mackinnon were drafted the same year as monahan and will be over 22 before the season starts

Its not stupid. It specifies 22 and younger. They fit that age group. If draft class mattered it would be Best players from this draft class and up. It isnt there fore they are fair game.