HockeyBuzz Hotstove: Top-5 centers in the Eastern Conference?

HockeyBuzz Hotstove: Top-5 centers in the Eastern Conference?
- ToddCordellVAN

Quit your day jobs !

Oof

HockeyBuzz Hotstove: Top-5 centers in the Eastern Conference?
- ToddCordellVAN

1. Matthews

2. Tavares

3. Kerfoot if he's the 3rd line centre this year for the Leafs

4. Thornton

5. Spezza

1. Matthews

2. Tavares

3. Kerfoot if he's the 3rd line centre this year for the Leafs

4. Thornton

5. Spezza
- Atomic Wedgie

What about Mitch when his C gets kicked off the dot? Or is that being too much of a homer?

Puhhllleeezzeee.. This so easy ..

AM / JT / Willy / Whoever centers the Leafs fourth line..And the Marlie’s top center

1: Crosby
2: Matthews
3: Point
4: Barkov
5: Bergeron

Puhhllleeezzeee.. This so easy ..

AM / JT / Willy / Whoever centers the Leafs fourth line..And the Marlie’s top center
- dozerD10

36 minutes late, and improper use of an apostrophe.

Embarrassing.

Eichel>>Barkov.

No way JE isn’t a top 5 in the east.

Eichel>>Barkov.

No way JE isn’t a top 5 in the east.
- halo63

No way is correct. Theres no way any of Barkov, Bergeron, or Point is as good as Eichel. I don't even think Matthews is.

No way is correct. Theres no way any of Barkov, Bergeron, or Point is as good as Eichel. I don't even think Matthews is.
- Blockhead

Meh, these are all great players.

It comes down to what you like more or less about each but you can make a case to put any of these guys in the top 5 and it would make sense to me.

So put Eichel #1 if you want, I would disagree but it's not completely farfetched either.

Meh, these are all great players.

It comes down to what you like more or less about each but you can make a case to put any of these guys in the top 5 and it would make sense to me.

So put Eichel #1 if you want, I would disagree but it's not completely farfetched either.
- Scabeh

My honest answer would be

1. Sid
2. Eichel
2. Matthews - tie. Matthews is a better goal scorer but Eichel is a better playmaker
4. Point
5. Geno/Barkov Tie

These 2 man Hotstoves are so, so, so entertaining. There are about 30 bloggers who contribute to this site but, for some reason they want nothing to do with the topics these two morons dream up. It's pretty telling really.

No way is correct. Theres no way any of Barkov, Bergeron, or Point is as good as Eichel. I don't even think Matthews is.
- Blockhead

There might be a reason for your handle...just sayin

There might be a reason for your handle...just sayin
- reefguy69

If Mathews played in any other city he might not make this list.

36 minutes late, and improper use of an apostrophe.

Embarrassing.
- Atomic Wedgie

Yeah I saw you and knew I was toast...

If Mathews played in any other city he might not make this list.
- Pairo11

Bro put the Glass Deeeeekkk down... AM is insanely good.

No order in particular. Matthews, Eichel, Sid, Point, Barkov or Couts.

Zib, Geno, Tavares, Barzal, and Aho are all pretty close.

Stammer plays wing for the most part so not sure how he gets included, they've got Point, Cirelli, Gourde, and Paquette down the middle

Matthews is a great goal scorer. Revolutionized the slingshot release and is an absolute talent when he shoots the puck. But there is way more to hockey then being a sniper. Who was the last C to win a cup with more goals then assists? Because Matthews 33 assists doesn't scream elite to me, but only aid them in quick playoff exit. I am not going to lie, the incident with the female war Veteran and Matthews pants around his ankles forcing himself into her car showed a very terrible character flaw, so maybe its bias, but in no way should be ranked #1 by Todd, and #2 by the other fella.

I look at elite players as a guy I want on the ice in game 7 whether I am up a goal, or down a goal. Matthews is not a defensive force. So:

Barkov
Barzal
Crosby
Bergeron
Point

Matthews is a great goal scorer. Revolutionized the slingshot release and is an absolute talent when he shoots the puck. But there is way more to hockey then being a sniper. Who was the last C to win a cup with more goals then assists? Because Matthews 33 assists doesn't scream elite to me, but only aid them in quick playoff exit. I am not going to lie, the incident with the female war Veteran and Matthews pants around his ankles forcing himself into her car showed a very terrible character flaw, so maybe its bias, but in no way should be ranked #1 by Todd, and #2 by the other fella.

I look at elite players as a guy I want on the ice in game 7 whether I am up a goal, or down a goal. Matthews is not a defensive force. So:

Barkov
Barzal
Crosby
Bergeron
Point
- bikeguy99

The weird hipster love for Barkov is getting ridiculous. He's had one ppg season. Scored over 30 once. He was 11th in Selke voting this year. AM was 16th while scoring 47 to Barkov's 20 with only 9 fewer assists. Asinine ranking Barkov first, even if you leave AM off the list.

The weird hipster love for Barkov is getting ridiculous. He's had one ppg season. Scored over 30 once. He was 11th in Selke voting this year. AM was 16th while scoring 47 to Barkov's 20 with only 9 fewer assists. Asinine ranking Barkov first, even if you leave AM off the list.
- mgriffen

Guess I should have mentioned that it wasn't in order. Just my top 5 C's. But you need to watch Barkov to fully see his influence on the game. It's like Mark Stone. Good numbers, but the guy can steer plays in directions he wants, and strip guys of the puck left and centre. I look at AM as purely a goal scorer. He leaves a lot to be desired when playing without the puck. Not saying he won't get there, but he hasn't done enough for me to consider him a top 5 C in the East. Heck, you could argue he isn't even the top C in Toronto.

And if we are talking weird hipsters........ Have you seen Matthews and Marner outside of the rink?

Guess I should have mentioned that it wasn't in order. Just my top 5 C's. But you need to watch Barkov to fully see his influence on the game. It's like Mark Stone. Good numbers, but the guy can steer plays in directions he wants, and strip guys of the puck left and centre. I look at AM as purely a goal scorer. He leaves a lot to be desired when playing without the puck. Not saying he won't get there, but he hasn't done enough for me to consider him a top 5 C in the East. Heck, you could argue he isn't even the top C in Toronto.

And if we are talking weird hipsters........ Have you seen Matthews and Marner outside of the rink?
- bikeguy99

yeah

Guess I should have mentioned that it wasn't in order. Just my top 5 C's. But you need to watch Barkov to fully see his influence on the game. It's like Mark Stone. Good numbers, but the guy can steer plays in directions he wants, and strip guys of the puck left and centre. I look at AM as purely a goal scorer. He leaves a lot to be desired when playing without the puck. Not saying he won't get there, but he hasn't done enough for me to consider him a top 5 C in the East. Heck, you could argue he isn't even the top C in Toronto.

And if we are talking weird hipsters........ Have you seen Matthews and Marner outside of the rink?
- bikeguy99

You're flying by the seat of your pants here bud. You can say a lot of things but it's still not making them true.

Matthews = 1st in the NHL for takeaways by forwards.
Barkov = 27th in the NHL for takeaways by forwards.

Barkov = 31st in the NHL in giveaways by forwards.
Matthews = 41st in the NHL in giveaways by forwards.

Barkov = 108th in the NHL in blocked shots by forwards.
Matthews = 12th in the NHL in blocked shots by forwards.

Matthews also had twice as many hits as Barkov. So really you couldn't have been more wrong in your trendy, hipster statement.

Also your other guy Barzal led the entire league in giveaways.

Did someone legitimately put Barkov and Stamkos ahead of Eichel?

Is that real?

Did someone legitimately put Barkov and Stamkos ahead of Eichel?

Is that real?
- sbroads24

In no particular order.

Crosby, Point, Eichel, Matthews, then take your pick: Stamkos, Bergeron, Tavares, Backstrom, Malkin, and I gotta throw some love to Z Bad too, absolute beast of a year