So here it is the greatest centers in the NHL over the last twenty eight years.
Honorable Mentions: Pierre Turgeon (Sabres 1987-88-1991-92, Islanders 1991-92-1994-95, Canadiens 1994-95-1996-97, Blues 1996-97-2000-01, Stars 2001-02-2003-04, Avalanche 2005-06-2006-07), Steven Stamkos (Lightning 2008-09-Present), Evgeni Malkin (Penguins (2006-07-Present), Mike Modano (Stars 1988-89-2009-10, Red Wings 2010-11), Doug Gilmour (Blues 1983-84-1987-88, Flames 1988-89-1991-92, Maple Leafs 1991-92-1996-97, Devils 1996-97-1997-98, Blackhawks 1998-99-1999-00, Sabres 1999-00-2000-01, Canadiens 2001-02-2002-03, Maple Leafs 2002-03), Pavel Datsyuk (Red Wings 2001-02-2015-16), Eric Lindros (Flyers 1992-93-1999-00, Rangers 2001-02-2003-04, Maple Leafs 2005-06, Stars 2006-07), Joe Thornton (Bruins 1997-98-2005-06, Sharks 2005-06-Present)
10. Mats Sundin (Nordiques 1990-91-1993-94, Maple Leafs 1994-95-2007-08, Canucks 2008-09: 1,346 Games Played, 564 Goals, 785 Assists, 1,349 Points, 1,093 Penalty Minutes)
Quiet leadership, smooth skating, great vision and a good shot. All terms that have been used to describe Mats Sundin during his outstanding career. And its not just one thing Sundin did that was better then anything else. He didn't have the hardest or most accurate shot. He didn't have blazing speed. He wasn't overly physical. He could just do everything well, he was one of the most well rounded players to ever step foot on the ice in the worlds best league.. He played 18 years in the league, the only one that wasn't considered a full season was his final year in Vancouver. But in the other 17 seasons, he never scored less then 20 goals in a year. As a matter of fact, Sundin hit 30 or more goals in a year every year but four in the league, including three of those years which he hit more than 40 goals (his career high was 47 scored in 1993 in Quebec). His lowest point total was 59 scored in his rookie year in 1991, and his high was 114 scored in 1993. From year two on till his year in Vancouver he scored at least 70 points in every season. Once he got to Toronto, Sundin took a while but became the face of the franchise and carried the team and the city on his back during the turn of the century. Its just kind of sad that he never really got a chance to win a Cup, he was that good of a hockey player and a very class act.
His number is retired in Toronto and his highest honor is being inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2012. Sundin made history in 1989 when he became the first European born player to be drafted first overall in the NHL Entry Draft. Sundin played in the NHL All-Star Game in 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004, and he was named to the NHL Second All-Star Team in 2002 and 2004. IN 79 career games on the international stage, Sundin has managed 95 points. All this done between three Olympic games and 10 World Championships.
9. Ron Francis (Whalers 1981-82-1990-91, Penguins 1991-92-1997-98, Hurricanes 1998-99-2003-04, Maple Leafs 2003-04: 1,731 Games Played, 549 Goals, 1,249 Assists, 1,798 Points, 979 Penalty Minutes)
For a guy as big as he was, Ron Francis learned to play a much larger game. He was a model of consistency and durability, averaging more than a point a game in over 1,700 games in 23 seasons. He was a great passer, sitting second on the all time list behind only Wayne Gretzky. What made Francis go as an unknown for the early part of his career was that he was playing in Hartford for the first nine and a half years of his career. It kind of allowed him to develop his game to a new level. His skills as a playmaker were ALMOST on par with Gretzky, but not at that level He averaged at least 30 assists every year of his 23 years in the league, topping 50 or more 16 times in his career. He could score goals with some regularity as well. There were only three seasons in his entire pro career where he failed to crack the 20 goal mark. Talk about consistency, this guy had it. He always kind of got overlooked, especially early in his career because he just happened to play in an era with Mario, Wayne, Yzerman and Lafontaine among others. Still, he left an impression on the sport like few others have. He was a great defensive forward, who could skate and make plays. He was a very quiet leader, who let most of his play do the talking.
Francis has cared out a great career for himself. He won two cups with the Penguins in 1991 and 1992 and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2007. He sits 2nd on the all times assists list and 3rd in games played. He was selected to the NHL All-Star Game in 1983, 1985, 1990 and 1996. He won the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 1995, and the Lady Byng Trophy in 1995, 1998 and 2002. He was the first player ever to win the Selke and Byng trophy in the same year. Francis also won the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 2002. Class act and played at a high level. Great all around hockey player.
8. Sergei Fedorov ((Red Wings 1990-91-2002-03, Ducks 2003-04-2005-06, Blue Jackets 2005-06-2007-08, Capitals 2007-08-2008-09: 1,248 Games Played, 483 Goals, 696 Assists, 1,179 Points, 839 Penalty Minutes)
One of the first things that comes to mind when thinking of Sergei Fedorov is speed. One of the second things that comes to mind when thinking of Sergei Fedorov is strong defensive play. Fedorov could do a little bit of everything for the Red Wings, and he could do it at a very high level. He was a superb skater with great hands and the hockey intellect to create exciting goals, but was so defensively sound that he was regularly considered for the Selke Trophy. After his first full year with the Ducks, Fedorov's offensive numbers started to slip. But before that, in a full season, he never scored less then 25 goals or less then 60 points. He was a high scoring phenom right out of the gates in Detroit, a big reason why the Red Wings dominated in the mid to late 90s. Fedorov had the offensive touch that could put him in the elite in the games long and storied history. He also had the most defensive talent out of any forward playing in the 90's, just look at what he did in Detroit. In thirteen seasons with the Red Wings, he scored 20+ goals twelve times, had 30+ goals in nine seasons. Yeah, that's impressive numbers. Hell, he was so good on the defensive side of the game, that had he actually played defense, he might have been able to secure a Norris trophy or two, he was that good.
Fedorov did just about anything and everything you could in hockey. He was inducted into the hockey hall of fame in 2-15, not bad for a guy who's also won three Stanley Cups. He's also managed to be named NHL player of the year in 1994 by the Sporting News. but wait there's more. Fedorov was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 1991. He was named to the First All-Star Team in 1994, the year in which he also picked up the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Lester B. Pearson Award. That same year he picked up the first of his two Frank J. Selke Trophies (an award which he won again in 1996). He also played in the NHL All-Star Game in 1992, 1994, 1996, 2001, 2002, and 2003 Not a bad career for a guy who was take in the 4th round of the draft in 1989.
7. Pat LaFontaine (Islanders 1983-84-1990-91, Sabres 1991-92-1996-97, Rangers 1997-98: 865 Games Played, 468 Goals, 545 Assists, 1,013 Points, 552 Penalty Minutes)
Its so sad that concussion issues cut down Pat LaFontaine in what should have really been the prime of his career. He was a solid defensive player, but that side of his game was overshadowed by his huge offensive upside. He scored 30 or more goals in almost every year he was in the big leagues, at least the ones he was healty enough to play in. His best year was in 1993 in Buffalo, when he dropped 148 points, but that year he finished 2nd to Mario Lemieux in the scoring race. Yeah that was just a great year for Mario. Anyway, we digress. LaFontaine had a skill and talent level that was above a lot of players in the league. While he may not have been the fastest guy in the league, he had a fantastic hockey sense. He had great vision on the ice, making the right pass at the right time. He had no less then 30 assists in any full year in the league. He grew nicely into the role of a top line center. When most people hear his name, they think of the Easter Epic, the goal he scored in the 4th overtime period of game seven in the 1987 playoffs against the Capitals. He had the skills to be a mega star in this league, and the numbers to prove it. But then again, he played during the time of Mario, Wayne, Yzerman and others so he was often overlooked for post season all star teams. Still he had a very impressive career never the less.
He has since had his number retired but the Sabres and has been elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003. LaFontaine was selected to five NHL All-Star Games in his career, playing in 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992 and 1993. He won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in 1994 and was named to the NHL Second All-Star Team in 1993. it sucks that concussions took him down in the prime, he had the makings to possibly hang around in the elite after his big year in 1993. Still, besides what he was able to do on the ice, his off ice contributions to the community have been just as great. His charity work on Long Island and in Buffalo have been well documented, which make him a true giant away from the rink.
6. Adam Oates (Red Wings 1985-86-1988-89, Blues 1989-90-1991-92, Bruins 1991-92-1996-97, Capitals 1996-97-2001-02, Flyers 2001-02, Ducks 2002-03, Oilers 2003-04: 1,3376 Games Played, 341 Goals, 1,079 Assists, 1, 420 Points, 415 Penalty Minutes)
Adam Oates will go down in the books as one of the greatest passers to ever play the game. Sure he had his moments in the goal scoring department. His career high was 45, which he scored in 1993, which was also his career high in assists with 97 and points with 142. Boston finished that year with the best record in the division but were swept bu Buffalo in the opening round. The only two guys who scored more points then Oats that year were LaFontaine and Lemieux, But a big reason for his big year that year was Oates being one of the NHL's greatest playmakers. He averaged no fewer then 30 assists in a year, with the exception of his rookie year and his final year. He led the NHL in assists three time, and finished in the top ten on 12 occasions. He is also the only player in NHL history to centre three 50-goal scorers, helping Brett Hull, Cam Neely and Peter Bondra reach the magic mark. Oates continued to score points at an elite level when he did not have star players as linemates, he just had that quietness about his game. He went out and di his job and did it very well. He never needed the acolades, they did come his way as his career went on but he still played the game at a very high level and had some pretty eye popping numbers along the way.
Oates had himself a pretty good career. He never did win a Stanley Cup, but still not a bad career for a guy who was undrafted and signed out of RPI college by the Red Wings in 1985. He was elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2012. He was elected to the Second Team All-Star in 1990–91, and played in NHL All-Star Game in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, and 1997. Oates coaching career was decent, but I think a lot more people are going to remember him for how great a center he was. Only so few in the history of the sport had better vision on the ice then he did.
5. Sidney Crosby (Penguins 2005-06-Present: 707 Games Played. 338 Goals, 600 Assists, 938 Points, 552 Penalty Minutes)
They don't call him Sid the Kid for nothing. Crosby may very well be the best center in the game today, at least from an offensive standpoint. Sure there maybe better defensive forwards and there maybe more physical players, but when he's on his game, there's not too many guys that can match his offensive output and touch on the ice. Crosby has scored 20 or more goals in each professional season except two and both were injury shortened seasons. As a matter of fact, Crosby has cracked the 30 goal mark every year in the league except four, (two of them were 24 and 28 goal seasons in 2008 and 2015, respectively. He's not only a goal scorer, Crosby is just as comfortable setting one up as well. He has registered over 40 assists in each season he's been in the league, except for 2011 and 2012, years which again were cut short due to injury. Noted for his on-ice vision, passing ability, work ethic, and complete overall game, Crosby has been considered one of the best players in the world since he was drafted in 2005. He's also been noted, because of the flat blade he uses on his stick, Crosby has been given the nod as having one of the best backhand shots in all of hockey. Crosby also has some deceptive quickness to his game, he moves a lot faster then I think people realize. Crosby, when he was younger, drew a lot of comparison to Wayne Gretzky, much of which was deserved for how good an offensive talent Crosby is.
He's done just about everything there is to do in this game. Crosby has twice led the Penguins to a Stanley Cup title, in 2009 and again in 2016 (He won the Conn Smythe trophy as playoff MVP that same year). His trophy case has gotten full over the course of his career. Crosby was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 2006. Crosby has twice won the Art Ross Trophy, picked up in 2007 and 2014. Crosby has won the Lester B. Pearson Award/Ted Lindsay Award three times and the Hart Memorial Trophy twice. He's been named to the First All-Star Team four times and the Second All-Star Team twice. Crosby got elected to play in six NHL All-Star games, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2015, and 2017. Despite the fact that the guy has had to deal with quite a bit in the injury department, most notably concussions, he hasn't really been able to reach full potential since his early days. Still he's going to go down in the books as one of the greatest to ever lace up a pair of skates.
4. Mark Messier (Oilers 1979-80-1990-91, Rangers 1991-92-1996-97, Canucks 1997-98-1999-00, Rangers 2000-01-2003-04: 1,756 Points, 694 Goals, 1,193 Assists, 1,887 Points, 1,910 Penalty Minutes)
When the Moose was on the Loose, there was few forwards who were more intimidating then mark Messier. Also, there were few guys who were feared more as a leader then Messier. He had a mean streak to him and he loved to play the physical game, but there was always an offensive upside to Messier. He was a lot like Gordie Howe in that he could score a pretty goal, set up a pretty goal, or beat you up to clear some space for a goal to happen. He could do a little bit of everything. There were six times in his career where Messier broke the 100 point mark, his best year coming in 1990 when he dropped 129 points. He helped turn the fortune around for not one but two franchises. He started the turn for the Oilers against the islanders in 1984. His goal in game three turned the series and helped the Oilers on their way to their first title. He did the same thing in 1994 with the Rangers. His hat trick against the Devils in game six helped propel them, eventually, to a Stanley Cup title. With his all-around talent and his often punishing game, Messier established a wide cushion of space to work in during his 25-year NHL career. Messier possessed elite skill and speed, his game spiced with physicality and a mean streak, when required, like Howe's. His leadership quality was off the charts. Messier could put fear into your heart just by looking at you. That's just the way he was.
His list of accomplishments in the league are off the charts. messier was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2007.He is a six-time Stanley Cup champion, five with the Oilers and one with the Rangers, and is the only player to captain two different professional teams to championships. Oh but wait there's more. messier played in the All-Star Game in 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, and 2004. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1984, the Hart Memorial Trophy and Lester B. Pearson Award in both 1990 and 1992, he was named to the First All-Star Team in 1982, 1983, 1990, and 1992 as well as the Second All-Star Team in 1984. There are only a few players who can compare to the Moose as far as being an all around player is concerned he's just that damn good.
3. Joe Sakic (Nordiques 1988-89-1994-95, Avalanche 1995-96-2008-09: 1,378 Games Played, 625 Goals, 1,016 Assists, 1,641 Points 614 Penalty Minutes)
If there were two traits that really defined Joe Sakic during his career it was his leadership ability and his wrist shot. he had, by far, one of the most lethal wrist shots that have ever been unleashed on the game of hockey. Sakic is also the only player ever to score 100 points in a season for a team that finishes dead last in the NHL regular season standings, accomplishing this feat in 1989-90 with Quebec Nordiques. As proof of how classy a leader Sakic was, look no further then after the Avs 2001 Cup victory. Sakic passed the Cup off to Ray Bourque to hoist the Cup for the champion Avalanche. This was a change from the early points in his career. Throughout his career, Sakic was one of the top scorers in the league, but in his early years, he was criticized for not leading his team to playoff success. That all really started to change in 1996 when the team moved to Denver and captured their first Stanley Cup title. Sakic was the real leader of that team and it really started to show through. Sakic has also been a model of consistency in the modern NHL. Despite the lock-out seasons of 1994-95 and 2004-05 and this last season where injuries limited Sakic to only 44 games, he has produced eight 20+ goal seasons, four 30+ goal seasons, three 40+ goals seasons, and two 50+ goal seasons in 1995-96 and 2000-01.
Sakic was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2012 and went in with those two Stanley Cup rings to his credit. There's more to his career then just that. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1996, as well as the Hart Memorial Trophy, Lady Byng Memorial Trophy and Lester B. Pearson Award in 2001. Sakic played in 13 All Star games in his career, and even managed to pick up All-Star Game MVP in 2004. He was named to the First All-Star Team in 2001, 2002, and 2004. Pretty good career I'd say.
2. Peter Forsberg (Nordiques 1994-95, Avalanche 1995-96-2003-04, Flyers 2005-06-2006-07, Predators 2006-07, Avalance 2007-08, 2010-11: 708 Games Played, 249 Goals, 636 Assists, 885 Points, 690 Penalty Minutes)
For a stretch during the early 2000's there was no better player in the sport of hockey then Peter Forsberg. He would take over games whenever he damn well wanted to, which was quite often in his prime years in Colorado. One of the biggest knocks against one of the best players in the game was that he didn't shoot the puck enough, which is why his goal totals looked a little low for a player of his caliber. Foresberg was, without a shadow of a doubt, a star forward with outstanding playmaking skills and great vision. Forsberg was a guy who possessed an excellent combination of skill and physical play. In the prime of his career, he was considered by many as the best two-way player in the world. He is capable of combining physical play and hits with skill and is responsible offensively and defensively. He had the skills that could make the guys around him a lot better, he always found a way to help other players step their game up. Then again, there was a down side to his game, it lead to a lot of injuries during his career, which really cut his career short. But the guy put up big offensive numbers, breaking the 100 point mark twice and averaging at least 40 assists in every full season he played.
Forsberg has two Stanley Cup Rings to his credit, 1996 and 2001 and he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2014. There's more to his trophy case then just that. Forsberg played in seven All Star Games in his career, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2003. Forsberg won the Art Ross Trophy in 2003 as well as the Hart Trophy the same year. He picked up the Calder Memorial Trophy and was named to the All-Rookie Team in 1995. Forsberg was named to the First All-Star Team in 1998, 1999, and 2003. He could almost do it all, its just a shame his career wasn't longer.
1. Steve Yzerman (Red Wings 1983-84-2005-06: 1,514 Games Played, 692 Goals, 1,063 Assists, 1,755 Points, 924 Penalty Minutes)
The Captain. Say those two words in Detroit and people will smile and think immediately of Steve Yzerman. When little Stevie Y came into the league, he was all about putting up the points. He was ringing up the numbers like it was going out of style. Between 1988 and 1993, Yezerman never scored lower then 100 points. The biggest knock that could be made against him, at least at that time in his career, he was overshadowed by two guys named Lemieux and Gretzky. He would also serve as the longest captain in league history, holding down the C in Detroit for 21 years. All worth it. Yzerman did a fantastic job of being able to reinvent himself during the course of his career, He went from being the highlight reel scorer, to a defensive specialist and all around hockey player. He could do it all during his playing days, skate, pass, shot, defend. The only thing that wasn't really a weapon for Yzerman was being overly physical, but again that wasn't the nature of his game. I really only wish his prime had come a little later, because he then would have gotten the credit he deserved for being as great a hockey player as he was. But the fact that he was able to totally revamp his style of play halfway through his career and keep playing well, speaks volumes to just how great a player he truly was.
His list of accomplishments is quite long. Yzerman won the Stanley Cup three times in his career, 1997, 1998 and 2002 and he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009. There's way more to it then that. Yzerman played in the All-Star Game in 1984 (first 18-year old to be selected to the roster), 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1997, 1999, and 2000 and was named to the First Team All-Star in 2000. Yzerman won the Lester B. Pearson Award in 1989, the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1998, the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 2000, the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in 2003 and still holds the distinction of being the longest-serving captain for a team in league history (19 seasons, 1,303 games). Nobody played the game the way Yzerman did. Still one of the greatest hockey players I've ever had the pleasure of watching.
So there you have it, the top ten centers of the last 28 years!
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