Avalanche star was ranked No. 5 among active NHL centers in the NHL Network’s annual top-20 countdown show Sunday night. The 22-year-old trailed only Edmonton’s , Pittsburgh teammates Sidney Crosby and , and Auston Matthews of the .
MacKinnon, who was named a second-team NHL All-Star by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association in June — McDavid was the first-team center — was making his debut in the NHL Network’s top-20 list. McKinnon finished second McDavid in points-per-game last season (1.32 to 1.31) and second to New Jersey winger Taylor Hall in Hart Trophy voting as the league’s MVP.
The NHL Network will release its top-20 defensemen, top-20 wingers, top-20 goalies and top-50 overall active players in the ensuing weeks.
The show’s Tony Luftman, E.J. Hradek and Mike Johnson voted on the best centers based on performance over the past several seasons, with an emphasis on the 2017-2018 season. The ranking also weighted projected performance next season.
Johnson, an retired 11-year NHL player, said of MacKinnon: “He could always skate, but now everything else is catching up to his incredible legs which get him going so fast. But he has the hands to go with it and a shot as well. He’s very dangerous and not going anywhere on this list.”
NHL Network’s top 20 centers:
1. Connor McDavid,
2. Sidney Crosby,
3. Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins
4. Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs
5. Nathan MacKinnon,
6. Anze Kopitar,
7. Mark Scheifele,
8. Patrice Bergeron,
9. Tyler Seguin,
10. John Tavares, Toronto Maple Leafs
11. Steven Stamkos,
12. Evgeny Kuznetsov,
13. Aleksander Barkov,
14. Nicklas Backstrom, Washington Capitals
15. Jack Eichel,
16. Mathew Barzal,
17. William Karlsson, Vegas Golden Knights
18. Sean Couturier,
19. Ryan Getzlaf,
20. Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers
On ensuing Sundays, the NHL Network will release its top-20 active defensemen (Aug. 12), top-20 wings (Aug. 19), top-20 goalies (Aug. 26) and top-50 overall players (Sept. 2 to Sept. 30).
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