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 on Wednesday revealed their list of top 20 centers in the League right now in the fifth of a nine-part series. Here is the list:

20. Sam Bennett , Florida Panthers

Bennett set NHL career highs in assists (26) and points (51) last season and had a career-best seven-game point streak (four goals, four assists) from Nov. 25 to Dec. 7. His 15 goals led the Stanley Cup Playoffs, helped the Panthers repeat as Stanley Cup champions and he won the Conn Smythe Trophy voted as most valuable player of the postseason.

19. Macklin Celebrini , San Jose Sharks

The No. 1 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft was a finalist for the 2025 Calder Trophy given t

See Full Page