Or more than one season of elite offensive production and preferably with a normalized shooting %. Otherwise, McDavid would be near or at the top of the list already.
- MaximumBone

it's not all about offensive production as Toews is also clearly a top 5 center.

Everyone on here who doesn't think Barkov is an elite center has obviously never watched the Panthers or hates them
- SuperCatsFan16

He is definitely an elite centre. The absolute number 1? not so much

WTF calisse!!

Ok let's just say he is a no.1 center.

A good one?? Probably.

We will leave it there for now.

100 point seasons are definitely the norm for the NHL these days. Not including the lockout year, the art Ross winner had more than 100 points in 9 of the past 10 seasons. Jamie Benn won it with 87 in 2014-15 and that's the exception not the rule.

100 point seasons are definitely the norm for the NHL these days. Not including the lockout year, the art Ross winner had more than 100 points in 9 of the past 10 seasons. Jamie Benn won it with 87 in 2014-15 and that's the exception not the rule.
- rangerdanger94

Maybe, but I think only 3 centers have reached more than 100 points since 2008 (Crosby, Malkin and Backstrom) who played at significantly more offensively gifted teams than the Panthers last year.

and if just 1 player a season reaches 100 points would you call that the norm? I wouldn't....

Top 7 Yes, best?...Not Yet.

Maybe, but I think only 3 centers have reached more than 100 points since 2008 (Crosby, Malkin and Backstrom) who played at significantly more offensively gifted teams than the Panthers last year.

and if just 1 player a season reaches 100 points would you call that the norm? I wouldn't....
- DutchSenators

He basically said that Kane leading the league in scoring with over 100 points isn't the norm. The player who leads the league in scoring producing over 100 points is in fact the norm. That's my point.

Btw I think the Sedins did it too recently. There might be 1 or 2 other centers that did it too.

it's not all about offensive production as Toews is also clearly a top 5 center.
- DutchSenators

Never said it was, but Toews has around 5 to 7 (depending on your defenition) elite offensive seasons to his name to go along with his elite defensive game. What I'm saying is the best Cs in the game need both and until Barkov can repeat, he's not going to be in the conversation for top-5, let alone #1.

The same applies to McDavid otherwise he'd be in the conversation for the top spot. Superstar-level offense, elite possessionmetrics, and remarkable shot suppression numbers.

If he stays healthy he will be a top 5 two way center in the NHL. He will never be the absolute best no way.

Sorry to everyone, I've been saying for years what a clown this blogger is. Has no clue whatsoever.

Spiegel. Why do you do this to the handful of Panther fans here?

Also, unblock me on twitter. I want to make millions selling postcards in a definitely-not-pyramid scheme.

Future aside... Here is a list of C that I would rather have than Barkov for this season:

Crosby
Malkin
Toews
Tavares
Kopitar
Bergeron
Pavelski
Stamkos
Giroux
Getzlaf
McDavid
Carter
O'Reilly
Krejci
Seguin
Backstrom
Thorton
Kuznetsov

Edit: Keeping in mind that I'm a BIG fan of Barkov... but I mean.. come on!

Top centers: Crosby, Toews, Barkov, Kopitar, Bergeron
- SuperCatsFan16

I think he is underrated but definetly not even close to being considered top tier number 1 centre. He hasn't yet produced at a rate of 1 pt per game at any point in his career. His numbers last year a great, but still you can't assume a linear extrapolation of points for the time he missed due to injury. Great player, underrated player, but don't overrate him either.

Future aside... Here is a list of C that I would rather have than Barkov for this season:

Crosby
Malkin
Toews
Tavares
Kopitar
Bergeron
Pavelski
Stamkos
Giroux
Getzlaf
McDavid
Carter
O'Reilly
Krejci
Seguin
Backstrom
Thorton
Kuznetsov

Edit: Keeping in mind that I'm a BIG fan of Barkov... but I mean.. come on!
- steve362

I think Toews has lost steam in the last year. I see him being very very sound two way player, great a face offs, but his lack in points prodcutions should place him in the lower top 10 IMO.

no

I think Toews has lost steam in the last year. I see him being very very sound two way player, great a face offs, but his lack in points prodcutions should place him in the lower top 10 IMO.
- PtotheY

If we are talking potential then that changes everything but as the thread title suggests, in the now... he's not close.

Top centers: Crosby, Toews, Barkov, Kopitar, Bergeron
- SuperCatsFan16

God damn Toews is so overrated.

puff puff pass

a good center, yes. the best center? No. even after reading your data as to why you made this statement, it still falls under "come on, man!"

Pretty good but not better than Bergeron, Toews or Kopitar yet

anyone doing the math at home, thats 169 NO 1 Yes

I seriously can't get over half the garbage you write. You are a total baphoon who makes a bigger fool out of himself with each pile of crap you drop on this site. All 6 Panther fans can't even defend your nonsense anymore. Get off this site and go into hiding for everyone's sake. Barkov isn't even in the conversation for top 10 centers in the league. I'll mail you a dollar so you can buy a clue

I seriously can't get over half the garbage you write. You are a total baphoon who makes a bigger fool out of himself with each pile of crap you drop on this site. All 6 Panther fans can't even defend your nonsense anymore. Get off this site and go into hiding for everyone's sake. Barkov isn't even in the conversation for top 10 centers in the league. I'll mail you a dollar so you can buy a clue
- BringNYIhome

wow

That chart.....thats not elite...I dont know what to believe anymore