Top 10 Centers of the '09-'10 Season

Yahoo Sports just put up their list of the top 10 centers currently in the NHL, and needless to say it caused a lot of controversy.

Here is the list, and the link to the page is below:

1. Sidney Crosby (Pit)
2. Pavel Datsyuk (Det)
3. Henrik Sedin (Van)
4. Jonathan Toews (Chi)
5. Mike Richards (Phi)
6. Evgeni Malkin (Pit)
7. Mikko Koivu (Min)
8. Joe Thornton (SJ)
9. Nicklas Backstrom (Was)
10. Ryan Getzlaf (Ana)

Yahoo

Now, this list is totally up for debate, and just like the people who wrote the countless angry comments, I too have my issues with the list. I want to look at it with no biases, so instead of picking favorites based on team, and points I’d like to truly consider what it takes to be a first (or second) line center in the NHL.

Centers are probably the most important offensive position in the game. Countless teams have been built based on who fills the center slot and that is because of the significance of the position. I feel like the best centers are the ones with the best all around game. Centers should be the best playmakers, but should also do more than pay their dues defensively.

So, I’ve created a list, and be as brutal as you’d like with the comments. But this list isn’t just about points; it’s also about leadership, defensive abilities, and the roundedness of the player. Honestly the current great NHL centers couldn’t possibly be truly narrowed down to a ten-person list, so I’ll try to make it as fair as possible. Instead of the list being based on the current best centers in the league, I’ll focus, and break down the centers that played the best during the 2009-2010 season. Also, to level out the playing field I’m not adding any centers that have a minus rating in the +/- statistic. This is because, as I said, a truly great center can make ends meet offensively and defensively.

Here is the list:

1. Sidney Crosby (Pit)
This one is fairly obvious. He’s been the face of the league since his debut in ’06, but what has been his best asset is his consistency. In 09’-’10, he was second in points with 109, scored 51 goals, tying him for first, and had 58 assists making him 8th overall in that column. Besides the fact that Crosby can put numbers on the boards, his overall play has been the most impressive of any other player this season. He has a 55.9% faceoff stat, and that should not be overlooked. Crosby had a plus 15 rating, putting him at the 11th position amongst centers this season. But, most notably, Crosby put up 13 power-play goals, and had 6 game winning goals, proving that he can play hard when the team needs it the most.

2. Jonathan Toews (Chi)
Although his point stat isn’t too impressive (68), and he only scored 25 goals, Toews impressed the hockey world with his level of play this season. But Toews can stand by his reputation as a great center in the NHL with his plus 22 rating, and 57.3% faceoff win stats. This year should be called “the Toews year,” as the Winnipeg native, 22-year-old won an Olympic Gold Medal with team Canada, the Conn Smyth Trophy for best player during the playoffs, and, of course, captained the Chicago Blackhawks to their Stanley Cup victory. Toews may not put up the greatest numbers but his leadership is respected throughout the league. Also, his efforts have put him on the cover of EA Sport’s NHL 11 game coming out in September.

3. Nicklas Backstrom (Was)
The ’09-’10 season was a breakout year for Backstrom. And although it may not be so difficult to get a few assists when your line mate is Alexander Ovechkin, Backstrom has 68, a very impressive number that put him at third on the assists list amongst centers last season. At only 22-years-old, Backstrom is already making a name for himself, and with his 33 goals, plus 37 rating, 11 power-play goals, 4 game winning goals, and 49.9% faceoff wins, he was one of the most well-rounded centers in the league. Although the Capitals haven’t accomplished their cup-winning goal yet, Backstrom has already proven to be a powerful asset to the team, and a potential force for their victory in the near future.

4. Henrik Sedin (Van)
Amongst centers, Henrik Sedin is #1 in points with 112. With a plus 35 rating, five game-winning goals, 49.5% Faceoff wins, and 23 goals to add to the 83 assists he got this year, it’s obvious that Sedin has made a name for himself as a playmaking star. This was a breakout year for Sedin, and the only reason he isn’t higher on his list is because of his consistency. Although this list is about the ’09-’10 season, a great center should still be a factor on a year-to-year basis. It’s questionable whether the 112 points were just part of a great road ahead, or just a good year for him. If he can match that number (or at least come close) it would be no question that he deserves the credit for a top 3 spot on the list of the current best centers.
5. Joe Thornton (SJ)
Big Joe Thornton has already taken the reputation of a great playmaking center man, and his name would probably been on this list since the ’99-’00 season. He’s a great leader, and has arguably the best pass in the current NHL, and with the second most assists of the ’09-’10 season at 69, a plus 17 rating, and 53.9% faceoff wins, Thornton is consistent with his great reputation, yet again.

6. Ryan Kesler (Van)
Kesler probably wouldn’t be considered for most of the best center position lists, but for the sake of his well roundedness I think it is well deserved. Some may consider Kesler the best defensive center in the league, and it’s his defensive skills that put him on this list. A good team needs a good checking line, and with a plethora of fights, and enforcement, Kesler is unmatched in this arena. But the most impressive part about him is that, unlike many of the other defensive centers, Kesler can definitely score. He had 50 assists this year, 7th in the league, and that added to his 104 penalty minutes, Kesler has proven to be a Jack-of-all-trades.

7. Anze Kopitar (LA)
22-years-old, 7th in points last season with 81, 34 goals, 47 assists, a plus 6 rating, and a 49.7% faceoff rating makes Kopitar more than just notable. The world is still waiting for his King’s to win the Cup, and there is no doubt in my mind that Kopitar will be lifting it if that happens. He’s a future great, a present great, and best of all, he probably hasn’t peaked yeat. He deserves the spot on this list because of his work ethic, and in that he has the game-play to make him one of the best NHL centers in today’s league.

8. Ryan Getzlaf (Ana)
With Niedermayer retired, and Selanne potentially on the way out, there is no better Duck to take the role as captain than Ryan Getzlaf. He’s a power-forward play-maker, with the checking skills to match his offensive skills, making him one of the most well-rounded players the league has to offer. Getzlaf was 17th in points (69), 8th in assists, and had a plus 4 rating on a team that had a bad season. Even when the Ducks aren’t doing so well, Getzlaf plays his heart out, and with a cup already under his belt, Getzlaf would be a prime candidate for captaincy to renew the Duck’s reputation of success.

9. Pavel Datsyuk (Det)
Despite being one of the top five best forwards in the NHL over the last five years, Datsyuk didn’t have an incredible season. Consistency is important, and Datsyuk isn’t getting any younger, and thus, if he wants to continue to build his reputation for greatness, he’ll have to add more than just 70 points in a season. However, it should be noted that Datsyuk having an off year is like any other forward having a good year. He’s fast, he’s possibly the best puck-handling skills in the league, and he has a plus 17 rating. He’s a four-time Lady Bing Memorial Trophy winner, and a three time Frank J. Selke trophy winner, as well as a two time Stanley Cup Champion and an Olympic bronze medal winner with team Russia. Datsyuk has paid his dues, and would have a place on this list over the past five-six years. No doubt Datsyuk is a star-caliber, well-rounded center.

10. Paul Statsny (Col)
I think the league is still waiting for the Colorado Avalanche to reestablish their stardom in the league, and Paul Statsny would be a candidate to lead them there. He was 5th in assists with 59, and 8th in points, with a plus 2 rating, and 50% on faceoff wins. He was also a silver medal winner in the Olympics with team USA this year, and although he has yet to peak, he deserves a spot on this list for being a leader and an important part of a rebuilding team, that managed to surprise the league with it’s success last season.



So there you have it, my picks for the top 10 centers of ’09-’10. I’m sure many will disagree, but please consider the overall performance of a player, rather than just the points, or assists statistics.





Sources:

Nhl.com

Yahoo