This is the first in what will be a series focusing on the top 10 at each position. Following centers will be right wings, left wings, defensemen and goalies.
Unlike other lists that may focus on what the pivot not only does on the ice, but between the dots and in his own zone, our primary driver here is how these individuals rank from a fantasy perspective.
Where germane, we most certainly will highlight the non-scoring aspects that the player brings to the table that tell the whole story, but that is a secondary aspect to where he sits on the list.
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1. Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers:
If you needed us to tell us McDavid is the top-ranked center, might we suggest a new hobby to pursue.
McDavid finished third in the NHL last season behind Nathan MacKinnon and Nikita Kucherov with 132 points in 76 games, and now has 982 points in just 645 games. More impressively, McDavid put the Oilers on his back in the postseason, finishing the 2024 playoffs with 42 points (8 goals, 34 assists) in 25 games; only Gretzky and Lemieux had more in one postseason.
Further evidence of just how impressive McDavid was, he became the sixth player on the losing team of the final to win the Conn Smythe Trophy, the last being Jean-Sebastian Giguere from the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in 2003.
2. Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche:
The next three players are all interchangeable based on personal preference. MacKinnon had that truly monster season we all expected to occur at some point, winning the Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award with 51 goals and 89 assists while playing all 82 games.
Like McDavid, MacKinnon can put his team on his shoulders, carrying them to victory. Unlike McDavid, MacKinnon possesses a bit of a nasty streak that manifests itself physically while on the ice. He led the Avalanche to the Stanley Cup in 2022.
Related: 2024-25 Fantasy Hockey Team Preview: Colorado Avalanche
3. Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers:
The ying to McDavid’s yang, Draisaitl lines up as Edmonton’s second center but moves to wing opposite McDavid when the Oilers look to stack their lineup, giving him multi-position eligibility.
For the purposes of this ranking, we will consider Draisaitl a center. He will be remaining long-term in Alberta after inking an eight-year, $112-million contract. Despite scoring 106 points, the 2023-24 campaign could be termed a down season for the 28-year-old center; he failed to reach the 50-goal threshold for the first time in the previous three seasons and was limited to just 39 power-play points — down from 62 in 2022-23. Look for a mild rebound by Draisaitl now that he is re-signed.
4. Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs:
Auston powers in goals could be the headline for Matthews. The new captain of the Maple Leafs hit the 60-goal mark for the second time in his career last season, potting a league-best and new career-high with 69 lamplighters.
In addition, Matthews also notched a career-high 107 points but slumped in the playoffs, posting just four points. Matthews showed the strides he has made in his own zone and how complete of a player he is, finishing third in voting for the Selke Trophy, given annually to the league’s top defensive forward.
5. Aleksander Barkov, Florida Panthers:
Barkov isn’t a massive scorer, as he is a better real-life rather than fantasy player. Don’t let that fool you, as Barkov has been a point-per-game producer for four straight seasons following a 23-goal, 80-point showing in 73 appearances in 2023-24.
Of those 80 points, 29 came on the man advantage. In addition, he won the Selke Trophy for the second time in his career. Barkov notched a career-best 104 hits, doubling his prior best, providing additional value in leagues that count that category.
6. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins.
Sid the Kid is not accurate, nor is the Sid the Aged. Maybe Sid the Wizened one will catch on. Crosby doesn’t seem to get old. He led Pittsburgh with 94 points (42 goals, 52 assists) in 82 games, including 30 (10 goals, 20 assists) in the final 18 as the Penguins made a late rush to try and earn a playoff berth.
The 40-plus goals were the third time in his 19-year career that he hit that mark. One negative for Crosby is the loss of Jake Guentzel and the decline in overall talent around him, which could result in a decline in production. But bet against him at your own peril.
7. Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils:
If you’re looking for a top-five sleeper, Hughes is your man. Hughes finished just shy of the century mark with 99 points (43 goals, 56 assists) in 2022-23, and might have hit that mark if injuries — an annual problem for Hughes — didn’t cost him 20 contests last year.
Despite the time missed, Hughes still posted 27 goals and 74 points in 62 appearances. Two positive stats for Hughes possibly having a career year are him posting a career-high 4.42 shots per game while leading the Devils with 31 power-play points last season. The Devils have added additional talent around Hughes, boding well for a monster season.
8. J.T. Miller, Vancouver Canucks:
This is where we reach the preference portion of our problem. The next several players could easily be moved up or down the list. Miller got a new lease on his career when he moved to Vancouver for the 2019-20 season. He posted 99 points in 2021-22 and 82 in 2022-23, but finally had that breakthrough season last year at 31 years old, notching his first 100-point season with 37 goals and 66 assists.
If you prefer Miller’s teammate, Elias Pettersson, go for it. But Miller also topped 200 hits for the second season in a row, which gives him the edge for me.
9. Brayden Point, Tampa Bay Lighting
The Lightning were loaded with talent, resulting in Point getting overlooked at times. Those who the follow the game, though, know just how good he is.
Very quietly, Point has scored 20 or more goals seven straight times. He dipped somewhat for three straight seasons after scoring 92 points in 2018-19 but has certainly righted the ship the past two campaigns. Point notched 90 points (46 goals, 44 assists) in 81 games last year, one season after his 51 goals led the Lightning and ranked fifth in the NHL. With Steven Stamkos now with the Predators, Point’s production will be needed even more by the Lightning.
10. Roope Hintz, Dallas Stars:
If Point is considered overlooked by some, Hintz most certainly is. Ask the casual fan to pick out Hintz in a crowd and you might still be waiting.
Hintz has several other solid and elite players around him, which blunts his production somewhat. But the retirement of Joe Pavelski will force Hintz to take on even more of a leadership role. In addition, factor in that Hintz skates in between Jason Robertson and Wyatt Johnston and you see why we have him ranked here.
Honorable Mention:
Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks
Jack Eichel, Vegas Golden Knights
Sebastian Aho, Carolina Hurricanes
Robert Thomas, St. Louis Blues
Related: 2024-25 Fantasy Hockey Team Preview: Dallas Stars
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