NHL Network has released its annual list of the top 20 centers in the league, highlighting players who excel at winning face-offs, leading offensive plays, and assisting teammates. The announcement is part of a nine-part series by NHL Network producers and analysts.
Sam Bennett of the Florida Panthers was ranked 20th after setting career highs in assists and points last season. He led all players with 15 goals in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, helping Florida secure a second consecutive championship and earning the Conn Smythe Trophy as postseason MVP.
Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks was listed at 19. The first overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft finished his rookie season with 63 points in 70 games and was a finalist for the Calder Trophy.
Tage Thompson from the Buffalo Sabres came in at number 18, having scored 25 goals after January 20, which led the league over that period. His performance included two hat tricks and an overtime goal to win gold for Team USA at the IIHF World Championship.
Roope Hintz of the Dallas Stars took spot number 17. Hintz contributed significantly during both regular season and playoffs, including making history alongside teammate Mikko Rantanen as they each recorded four points in a single playoff period.
Tim Stutzle of the Ottawa Senators was ranked 16th. Stutzle made his playoff debut this year and broke a team record with an 11-game assist streak during the regular season.
Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin placed 15th on the list after achieving his fourth straight season with at least 30 goals.
Nico Hischier, captain of the New Jersey Devils, ranked at number 14. “The Devils captain became the highest-drafted Switzerland-born player in NHL history when New Jersey selected him No. 1 in the 2017 NHL Draft. Hischier was named to Team Switzerland’s preliminary roster for the 2026 Olympics after scoring an NHL career-high 35 goals last season. He has 422 points (171 goals, 251 assists) in 527 games and has competed at Worlds the past six seasons, winning silver in 2024 and ’25.”
Sebastian Aho of Carolina Hurricanes was listed at number thirteen; Robert Thomas from St. Louis Blues took twelfth place; Jack Hughes of New Jersey Devils secured eleventh position. “The No. 1 pick of the 2019 NHL Draft is one of 11 NHL players to average at least 1.10 points per game for four straight seasons, even with injuries limiting the 24-year-old to 251 of 328 games in that span. Hughes played 62 games last season before a shoulder injury March 2. He’s scored at least 26 goals in four straight seasons, has 351 points (141 goals, 210 assists) in 368 games and played four games for the United States (one assist) at 4 Nations.”
Nick Suzuki from Montreal Canadiens rounded out the top ten after reaching his milestone of recording his first three hundred points faster than most recent franchise players.
Mark Scheifele (Winnipeg Jets), Brayden Point (Tampa Bay Lightning), Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs), Jack Eichel (Vegas Golden Knights), Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins), Aleksander Barkov (Florida Panthers), Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers), Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche), and Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers) completed spots nine through one on this year’s list.
Connor McDavid remains atop as he continues to lead all players over the past decade in total points since being drafted first overall by Edmonton in 2015. He also helped Canada secure victory at major international tournaments with crucial overtime performances.
