The Top Centers In The NHL
Winning important face-offs, leading rushes up the ice, and setting up teammates are the hallmarks of an elite center. NHL Network producers and analysts chose the top 20 centers in the League right now, and they were revealed on Sunday in the first of a nine-part series. Here is the list:
20. Robert Thomas, St. Louis Blues
Thomas had NHL career highs in goals (20), assists (57), points (77), plus-minus rating (plus-17), power-play points (14), game-winning goals (six), shots on goal (115) and shooting percentage (17.4) in 72 games last season. The 23-year-old also averaged 18:46 of ice time per game, second among Blues forwards behind Ryan O'Reilly (19:05).
19. Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks
After missing the final 30 games of the 2020-21 season because of a wrist injury, Pettersson stayed healthy last season and set NHL career highs in goals (32), points (68), power-play points (27) and shots on goal (192) in 80 games. The 23-year-old, who won the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year in 2018-19, has scored at least 27 goals and 66 points in three of his four NHL seasons.
18. Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins
continued at NHL.com......
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