NHL News

Ranking The 20 Best NHL Centers For 2022-23 Season

What centers rank as the Top 20 in the NHL during the 2022-23 season? We put them in order and detail our top seven.

by
Colton Pankiw
November 2, 2022

The NHL’s 2022-23 season is already nearly a month underway, and we have seen some outstanding play both individually and team-wise. Some thought that the 2021-22 campaign — which featured eight players scoring north of 100-points — was a bit of an anomaly, but based on what we are seeing early into this year, that may not be the case. Instead, it looks as though the overall skill in the game is at a level we have never witnessed before.

Even with all that skill, however, there are certain players that just seem to be flat-out better than their peers. For the most part, these individuals have had a relatively lengthy track record of success, and as a result, have established themselves as some of the best the game has to offer. Here are 20 centers throughout the league that fit that criteria, and can be counted on to be the best of the bunch for the remainder of the 2022-23 season.

1. Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers)

There is little that needs to be explained here, as Connor McDavid is undoubtedly the most talented player in the game today. The 25-year-old already has four Art Ross Trophies, three Ted Lindsay Awards, and two Hart Trophies under his belt, and is far from done in terms of personal accolades. In fact, he may very well have his first-ever Rocket Richard Trophy by the time the 2022-23 season comes to an end (he’s got 11 goals in 10 games to start the season).

While his offensive skill has never been in question, McDavid often gets overlooked when it comes to his goal-scoring abilities. He seemed to acknowledge that this summer, and has made it a goal to put more pucks in the back of the net this season. So far, so good, as the Oilers captain has a league-leading nine goals through nine games. To no surprise, his 18 points are also currently leading the league as well. Assuming health is on his side, he should be able to surpass his career highs of 44 goals and 123 points from a season ago.

2. Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers)

For many years, Leon Draisaitl was considered by many to be a by-product of McDavid, but that narrative has changed plenty in the last year. That, in large part, is due to the German forward proving to all during the playoffs this past season just how dominant he is. Despite playing with a high ankle sprain for the majority of the postseason, he recorded a ridiculous 32 points in 16 outings. On top of that, he did so on a separate line from McDavid.

Though Draisaitl does still play on a power play unit with McDavid, what many fail to recognize is that the two rarely play together at even strength anymore, and haven’t for a number of seasons now. His stats should be accredited to himself only, as he is flat-out dominant each and every time he hits the ice. If there is one player who could challenge McDavid for the Art Ross Trophy this season, it is none other than Draisaitl himself.

3. Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs)

The 2022-23 season has gotten off to a slow start for Auston Matthews, as he has managed just three goals and eight points through 10 games. Those would be very good numbers for a lot of players around the league but are disappointing for the 25-year-old who is coming off of a career-best 60-goal, 106-point season.

The good news for those who are banking on Matthews turning it around is that he started out slow last season as well, having only scored one goal through the Leafs’ first six games. He is simply too elite of a player to maintain this modest pace for much longer. In fact, two of his three goals on the season have come in his past three outings, meaning he may be heating up.

4. Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche)

After a dominant playoff performance earlier this year which led to a Colorado Avalanche Stanley Cup Championship, Nathan MacKinnon is right back to where he left off. The 27-year-old has three goals and 12 points in nine games, a pace that actually feels a little underwhelming given his true talent level. That said, those numbers will continue to increase as the year goes on.

Despite how dominant he has been in recent seasons, MacKinnon has yet to put up a 100-point season since entering the league. That will likely change in 2022-23, should he remain healthy. In just 65 games last season, he registered 32 goals and 88 points. His elite skill level, paired with the fact he has several tremendous talents surrounding him in Colorado, gives plenty of reason to believe he could be in line for a career year.

5. Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins)

Due to the emergence of several other superstar-like talents in recent years, it seems Sidney Crosby’s name is often forgotten when discussing the best players in today’s game. Make no mistake, however, he is still among the most elite, even at the age of 35.

Though he has cooled off as of late, having failed to record a point in three straight, Crosby started this season off on fire, putting up three points in three of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ first five games of the season. Overall he has 11 points in nine games and could be in store for his first 100-point season since 2018-19 if he can find a way to avoid injury.

6. Aleksander Barkov (Florida Panthers)

Prior to the season beginning, I would personally have had Aleksander Barkov ahead of Crosby on this list. However, the elite two-way Florida Panthers centerman has struggled a bit for his standards to begin the 2022-23 season, having scored just one goal through his first nine games.

Despite his subpar play thus far, there isn’t a ton to worry about when it comes to Barkov. His playmaking is still there with seven assists on the year, and his scoring touch should come back in the near future. On top of that, he is maintaining his elite defensive play, and could very well bring home his second-ever Selke Trophy once the season has commenced.