Top Two Centers
Living in Toronto, you constantly hear about the perceived lack of a first line center and how you need to draft in the first three or four picks to enable you to get one.
The Leafs have not drafted that low since 1989 when they drafted Scott Thornton third overall. Now, he was not the number one center that you dream about but he did play 941 games in the NHL, mostly as a third line pivot.
I am going to go through every team and see where the top two centers went in the draft. You may be surprised at how low some actually went.
Martin Brodeur retired this week after an outstanding career with the New Jersey Devils and seven games with the St. Louis Blues this season. He won 691 career games and had 125 regular season shutouts as well as playing in 1,266 games, just some of his NHL records for a netminder. He also won three Stanley Cups with the Devils but strangely never won the Conn Smythe Trophy.
His next stop will be the Hockey Hall of Fame. Congratulations to Marty on a great career.
Don’t forget, for everything NHL, check out Rotoworld's Player News, and follow @Rotoworld_ HK and@mfinewaxhockey on Twitter.
Now to The Week Ahead.
WEEK OF FEBRUARY 2-8
4 Games- Anaheim, Buffalo, Colorado, Dallas, Florida, Nashville, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, St. Louis, San Jose, Tampa Bay, Washington, Winnipeg
3 Games – Arizona, Boston, Calgary, Carolina, Chicago, Columbus, Edmonton, Los Angeles, Montreal, New Jersey, Ottawa, Pittsburgh, Toronto, Vancouver
2 Games – Detroit, Minnesota, Philadelphia
Buffalo, Calgary, Nashville, the New York Rangers, Vancouver and Washington play three games at home.
Anaheim, Carolina, Chicago, Colorado, Los Angeles, the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh play three games on the road.
INJURIES
Kyle Okposo is out six-eight weeks with an upper body injury. (Click here to see the rest of the injury list.)
Note: A tired team is one that has played the day or night before and is going against a team that did not play the previous day or night. The reverse is true for a rested team.
ANAHEIM
Games this week
vs. Carolina, @ Nashville, @ Washington, @ Tampa Bay
Rested Team: @ Tampa Bay (Sunday)
Tired Team: None
Notes
Anaheim’s top center is Ryan Getzlaf who was taken 19th overall in the 2003 Draft. Ryan Kesler, whom the Ducks received from Vancouver in the off-season, was taken 23rd in the same draft. Getzlaf has already won a Cup and is the top center every team needs. The Ducks play three games in four nights so look for Ilya Bryzgalov to play once in place of Frederik Andersen. Andersen sure loves playing against the Vancouver Canucks. He shut them out on Tuesday to improve his career record to 6-0-1, and he has allowed one or fewer goals in six of the seven games. It looks like Dany Heatley’s NHL career is over as he is having trouble even at the AHL level. Heatley was sent down on December 30 and has only two goals and an assist in 13 games with a minus-seven rating.
ARIZONA
Games this week
@ Columbus, vs. Carolina, vs. Detroit
Rested Team: None
Tired Team: None
Notes
Antoine Vermette was selected 55th overall in the 2000 Draft by Ottawa while Martin Hanzal was picked 17th overall by the Coyotes in 2005. They could use a top center like Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel. Oliver Ekman-Larsson started the season slowly but has really picked up his pace and now has 13 goals (to lead all defensemen) and 23 points with eight goals and 12 points coming on the power play. Mikkel Boedker underwent surgery to remove his spleen after suffering the injury on January 18. He is out another three-five weeks. Mike Smith stopped 39 shots in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Flyers on Tuesday.
BOSTON
Games this week
@ New York Rangers, vs. New York Islanders, vs. Montreal
Rested Team: None
Tired Team: None
Notes
The Bruins have won a Stanley Cup with David Krejci (64th in 2004) and Patrice Bergeron (45th in 2003) as their centers. They lucked out in 2010 with the selection of Tyler Seguin with the second overall pick but traded him to Dallas during the 2013 off-season. The Bruins will host the Montreal Canadiens in the Winter Classic on New Year’s Day in 2016 at Gillette Stadium. You have to wonder how fast they can get the stadium back in use for football if the Patriots host a home playoff game, especially if it’s a wild card game. Zdeno Chara skated during the All-Star break to keep in shape as he missed 19 games with a tear in his knee.
BUFFALO
Games this week
@ Montreal, vs. St. Louis, vs. Dallas, vs. New York Islanders
Rested Team: None
Tired Team: None
Notes
The Sabres are another team that needs help up the middle as Tyler Ennis (26th overall in 2008) and Cody Hodgson (10th in 2008 by Vancouver) are their two centers. They drafted Zemgus Girgensons and Mikhail Grigorenko in the first round in 2012 and Sam Reinhart second overall in 2014 and hope that one or two of them work out. Matthew Hackett should get one start this week with Jhonas Enroth getting the remainder as the Sabres play four games this week including three in four nights. Nikita Zadorov was suspended for a game after the break as he missed practice on Monday due to the fact he was bumped from his flight while on vacation. He was reinstated but a healthy scratch on Thursday.
CALGARY
Games this week
vs. Winnipeg, vs. San Jose, vs. Pittsburgh
Rested Team: None
Tired Team: None
Notes
The Flames have a nice piece in Sean Monahan who was drafted sixth in the 2013 draft but certainly need a boost with their second center as Matt Stajan was selected 57th in 2002 by Toronto. Sam Bennett (if he remains at center) will help. Johnny Gaudreau started the second half off nicely with a pair of goals. Sven Baertschi is still having trouble cracking the Flames lineup and was a healthy scratch on Tuesday. He was recalled on Monday and has played only nine games in the NHL this season, garnering three assists. Joni Ortio was sent to the minors as Karri Ramo is back after an upper body injury kept him out of action for four games.
CAROLINA
Games this week
@ Anaheim, @ Arizona, @ San Jose
Rested Team: None
Tired Team: None
Notes
You cannot complain with the selection of Eric Staal who went second overall in 2003 and led the Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup in 2006. Jordan Staal has also played center in his career but the Hurricanes are using him on the wing so Victor Rask (42nd overall in 2011) is the second pivot. Anton Khudobin continues to get the net as he has surpassed Cam Ward on the depth chart. Alexander Semin continues to be a healthy scratch and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Hurricanes bought him out during the off-season. Jiri Tlusty went head-first into the boards on Tuesday but was able to practice on Thursday. Jordan Staal has a goal and eight points in 11 games this season.
CHICAGO
Games this week
@ Minnesota, @ Winnipeg, @ St. Louis
Rested Team: None
Tired Team: None
Notes
You can’t do much better than Jonathan Toews in the third slot as he was taken there in 2006. Brad Richards, who won the Conn Smythe when the Lightning won the Stanley Cup in 2004, was drafted 64th overall in 1998. In the last seven seasons Patrick Sharp has been a minus player only once and it was a minus-one at that in 2010-11 but this season he is minus-seven. He has a goal and five points in his last four games. Brent Seabrook has almost half his points on the power play as he has 12 of his 25 with the man-advantage.
COLORADO
Games this week
@ Dallas, vs. Detroit, @ Minnesota, @ Winnipeg
Rested Team: None
Tired Team: @ Winnipeg (Sunday)
Notes
The Avalanche have taken advantage of a couple of low finishes to pick up centers as they took Matt Duchene third overall in 2009 while taking Nathan MacKinnon first overall in 2014. Don’t let MacKinnon’s sophomore slump fool you; he is going to be a great player and could combine with Duchene to give the Avs a one-two punch that could be the best in the NHL in a few years, once the Penguins Crosby and Malkin start to age. The Avs play three games in four nights as part of their four game week so Reto Berra could get a start in place of Semyon Varlamov. Alex Tanguay leads the Avalanche in points this season with 33.
COLUMBUS
Games this week
vs. Arizona, vs. St. Louis, @ Ottawa
Rested Team: vs. St. Louis (Friday)
Tired Team: @ Ottawa (Saturday)
Notes
The Blue Jackets have one center in Ryan Johansen who was taken fourth overall in 2010 who is capable of being a star center. Their second center is Brandon Dubinsky who was drafted 60th overall in 2004 by the Rangers. Johansen has 44 points in 47 games. Artem Anisimov returned to the lineup on Thursday after missing 23 games with a torn tricep. Ryan Murray did not play on Thursday but is very close to returning. He has missed most of the season with a knee injury and is someone to look at next season. Jeremy Morin is out of action as he had an accelerated heart rate on Tuesday.
DALLAS
Games this week
vs. Colorado, vs. Tampa Bay, @ Buffalo, @ New York Rangers
Rested Team: None
Tired Team: None
Notes
Who says you can’t trade for a first line center. The Stars have done it twice as they picked up Tyler Seguin (second overall in 2010) from the Bruins, and Jason Spezza (second overall in 2001) from the Senators in the last two seasons. The Stars play four times this week including three games in four nights so look for Anders Lindback to play once for Kari Lehtonen. Seguin has scored only three goals in his last 16 games and is still tied for second with 28 goals this season. He really did get off to a great start. Dallas is hoping that Valeri Nichushkin (hip) could return to action in March. Stay tuned.
DETROIT
Games this week
@ Colorado, @ Arizona
Rested Team: None
Tired Team: None
Notes
The Red Wings took advantage of some great scouting in Europe to draft Pavel Datsyuk 171st in 1998 and Henrik Zetterberg a year later at 210th. While Zetterberg has been playing the wing this season, he and Datsyuk have led the Red Wings the past 15 seasons with their play at center. The Red Wings are without their two starting goalies from the beginning of the season as Jimmy Howard (groin) and Jonas Gustavsson (shoulder) won’t be back until the Colorado game at the earliest. Good thing Detroit only plays two games this week. Teemu Pulkkinen was sent to the minors during the All-Star break and has yet to return.
EDMONTON
Games this week
@ San Jose, vs. Pittsburgh, @ Toronto
Rested Team: @ Toronto (Saturday)
Tired Team: None
Notes
The Oilers are proof positive at this time that even having the first overall pick (which they had for three years in a row) will not guarantee you a stud first center. They took Ryan Nugent-Hopkins first overall in 2011 but shoulder woes and a lack of physical strength has prevented him from becoming the stud a team needs at center. The recently acquired Derek Roy (32nd overall in 2001) is their second center but that spot will be taken over eventually by Leon Draisaitl. If the Oilers luck out with Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel, I would not be surprised if Nugent-Hopkins is eventually dealt. Taylor Hall (another first overall pick in 2010 but a left winger) suffered a bone bruise in practice this past week and has missed the last two weeks.
FLORIDA
Games this week
@ New York Rangers, @ New York Islanders, vs. Los Angeles, vs. Nashville
Rested Team: vs. Nashville (Sunday)
Tired Team: @ New York Islanders (Tuesday)
Notes
The Panthers top center at this time is Nick Bjugstad who was drafted 19th in the 2010 draft. While he is a nice piece, the real top center should be Aleksander Barkov who was taken second overall in the 2013 Draft and was having a nice rookie campaign in 2013-14 until he re-injured his knee playing for Finland at the Olympic Games, ending his season. He got off to a slow start this season but has two goals and five assists in his last six games. The Panthers play four games including three in four nights so expect to see Al Montoya play once for Roberto Luongo. Former leading scorer Tomas Fleischmann has been a healthy scratch since returning from the break. The Panthers waived Dylan Olsen this past week. Aaron Ekblad has seven goals thus far, not too shabby for an 18-year-old defenseman.
LOS ANGELES
Games this week
@ Washington, @ Florida, @ Tampa Bay
Rested Team: None
Tired Team: None
Notes
The Kings have won two Stanley Cups with a center selected 11th overall in 2005 as Anze Kopitar has been a stud for Los Angeles. While Jeff Carter (also 11th overall but in 2003 by the Flyers) has seen plenty of duty as the second line center, Jarret Stoll who was drafted 36th overall in 2002 by Edmonton, has taken over the spot of late. The Kings received good news this past week as Tyler Toffoli returned to the lineup after missing three weeks with mononucleosis. Toffoli celebrated with a goal and an assist on Wednesday. After a terrible, terrible start in which he had five goals and 12 points in his first 28 games, Kopitar has been hot since the middle of December with six goals and 27 points in his last 17 games. He once again leads the Kings in points.
MINNESOTA
Games this week
vs. Chicago, vs. Colorado
Rested Team: None
Tired Team: None
Notes
The Wild have drafted two centers early as they took Mikko Koivu sixth overall in 2001 while grabbing Mikael Granlund with the ninth pick in 2010. The jury is still out on Granlund while Koivu is a solid but underrated center. The Wild have been getting great goaltending from Devan Dubnyk since he was dealt from Arizona six games ago as he is 4-1-0, giving up only nine goals in 131 shots including a horrible outing when he gave up four goals on 10 shots to Detroit. Former number one goalie Darcy Kuemper is in the minors on a rehab assignment as he attempts to return from a lower body injury. Zach Parise has six goals in his last six games.
MONTREAL
Games this week
vs. Buffalo, vs. New Jersey, @ Boston
Rested Team: vs. New Jersey (Saturday)
Tired Team: None
Notes
Tomas Plekanec is currently the top center on Montreal, playing alongside Max Pacioretty. Plekanec was drafted 71st overall in 2001. David Desharnais is the first undrafted center we have as he is in the middle of the Habs second line. The Habs drafted Alex Galchenyuk with the third pick in 2012 and he could be the top center that most teams covet. Carey Price is hot of late as he has won his last four games, including shutting out the Rangers 1-0 on Thursday. P. A. Parenteau is out with his second concussion in a month. He has been a disappointment this season with six goals and 15 points in 40 games.
NASHVILLE
Games this week
vs. Toronto, vs. Anaheim, vs. New York Rangers, @ Florida
Rested Team: None
Tired Team: @ Florida (Sunday)
Notes
Nashville has picked up their top two centers via trade and free agency. Mike Ribeiro was inked for $1.05 million (he’ll get a huge raise next season) and was selected 45th overall in 1998 while the Predators stole Filip Forsberg (11th overall in 2012) from Washington as they gave up only Martin Erat and Michael Latta. The Predators play four games this week including three in four so it’s likely that Carter Hutton and Marek Mazanec will split the net as usual number one starter Pekka Rinne is still out. Mike Fisher had a three point night on Thursday to give him 21 in 26 games. Not bad.
NEW JERSEY
Games this week
vs. Ottawa, vs. Toronto, @ Montreal
Rested Team: None
Tired Team: @ Montreal (Saturday)
Notes
Travis Zajac was selected with the 20th pick in the 2004 draft while second liner Patrik Elias was taken with the 51st pick, way back in 1994. Adam Larsson has been playing wonderfully under the new regime of co-coaches Scott Stevens and Adam Oates with Lou Lamoriello also on the scene and he is showing why he had the talent to be selected fourth overall in 2011. Soon to be 43, Jaromir Jagr’s flu turned out to be the mumps. He managed to return to the lineup on Wednesday after missing three games. Cory Schneider picked up his 17th win of the season on Wednesday and has a 2.37 GAA and a .921 save percentage this season.
NEW YORK ISLANDERS
Games this week
vs. Florida, @ Philadelphia, @ Boston, @ Buffalo
Rested Team: vs. Florida (Tuesday)
Tired Team: None
Notes
The Islanders hit the jackpot in 2009 when they selected the ultra-talented John Tavares first overall. While it was a no-brainer, Tavares is exactly the type of player every team wants. At this time, Mikhail Grabovski is their second center. He was drafted 150th by Montreal in 2004. The Islanders play four games this week including a three in four so expect to see Chad Johnson play once in place of Jaroslav Halak. Halak had a rare off-night on Thursday as he gave up four goals on 32 shots in a 5-2 loss to the Bruins. Tavares continued his hot play with a goal and an assist to give him nine points in his last five games. Kyle Okposo is out six-eight weeks with an upper body injury that hurts the Islanders and his fantasy owners. Grabovski has the first shot in his spot, on the wing for Tavares.
NEW YORK RANGERS
Games this week
vs. Florida, vs. Boston, @ Nashville, vs. Dallas
Rested Team: None
Tired Team: None
Notes
Derek Stepan was selected by the Rangers with the 51st pick in 2008 and the New Yorkers got their second center in a trade with the Blue Jackets who took Derick Brassard sixth overall in 2006. The Rangers play four games this week so do not be surprised if Cameron Talbot gets one start for Henrik Lundqvist. The Rangers have had trouble scoring since the break with only one goal in their last two games as Carl Hagelin scored with eight seconds left on Tuesday to break the shutout bid by Jaroslav Halak. Lee Stempniak was a healthy scratch on Tuesday but played again Thursday. He has only six goals and 14 points in 39 games so he has to be considered a disappointment.
OTTAWA
Games this week
@ New Jersey, vs. Washington, vs. Columbus
Rested Team: vs. Columbus (Saturday)
Tired Team: None
Notes
The Senators are another team that traded for its top center as they acquired Kyle Turris (third overall in 2007) from the Coyotes. Their future is likely Mika Zibanejad who they selected sixth overall in 2011. It was thought that David Legwand would do the second line job this season but Ottawa has been quite disappointed in the veteran and has made him a healthy scratch the last two games. Craig Anderson is day-to-day with a hand injury so the Senators started Robin Lehner on Thursday and recalled Andrew Hammond on an emergency basis. Colin Greening was sent to the minors as he went unclaimed after being put on waivers.
PHILADELPHIA
Games this week
vs. New York Islanders, @ Washington
Rested Team: None
Tired Team: None
Notes
The Flyers were fortunate in 2006 as they took Claude Giroux 22nd overall. He has given them as good a front line center as any team in the NHL with the exception of Pittsburgh. Sean Couturier is a perfect two-way center who was drafted eighth overall in 2011. He will eventually show his scoring side but is all you can ask for defensively. The Flyers need more help, especially on the blueline but they are rock solid with their top two centers. Scott Laughton is another center taken in the first round and he is starting to skate again after suffering a possible concussion on January 14. Kimmo Timonen (blood clots) could return before the end of the season.
PITTSBURGH
Games this week
@ Edmonton, @ Calgary @ Vancouver
Rested Team: None
Tired Team: @ Vancouver (Saturday)
Notes
No team in the NHL has two better centers at this time than the Penguins, who have superstar Sidney Crosby (first overall in 2005) and Evgeni Malkin (second overall in 2004). They have led the Penguins to one Stanley Cup in 2009 but have yet to get their second win. The Penguins play all three games in Western Canada this week and do so in four nights so expect to see Thomas Greiss play once for Marc-Andre Fleury. Both Crosby (lower body) and Malkin (lower body) missed the All-Star game and Tuesday’s first game back but Crosby is back in the lineup while Malkin was placed on the injured list. Patric Hornqvist returned to the lineup and scored once on Tuesday after missing a month of action with a lower body injury.
ST. LOUIS
Games this week
vs. Tampa Bay, @ Buffalo, @ Columbus, vs. Chicago
Rested Team: None
Tired Team: @ Columbus (Friday)
Notes
The Blues switch up their lines with great regularity but lately David Backes (62nd overall in 2003) and Paul Stastny (44th overall in 2005 by Colorado) are their top two in the middle. St. Louis plays three games in four days as part of their four game week so look for Jake Allen to play at least once for Brian Elliott. Alexander Steen’s 10 game point streak was halted on Thursday but he did manage 18 points during that time. The Blues acquired Marcel Goc from the Penguins in exchange for Maxim Lapierre this past week and Goc will slot into the fourth center spot on the depth charts. The retired Martin Brodeur has joined the Blues’ front office, at least temporarily.
SAN JOSE
Games this week
vs. Edmonton, @ Calgary, @ Vancouver, vs. Carolina
Rested Team: None
Tired Team: @ Vancouver (Thursday)
Notes
The Sharks have been challenging for the Stanley Cup for years with Joe Thornton (first overall in 1997 by Boston) in the middle but at age 35, the veteran is in the late autumn of his career. Logan Couture is their second center and he was selected ninth overall in 2007 when the Sharks traded up to get him. The Sharks play four times this week including three in four nights. Alex Stalock should play at least once for Antti Niemi. Patrick Marleau is heating up with three goals and seven points in his last five games. Tommy Wingels is out with a broken hand while Justin Braun has a hand injury.
TAMPA BAY
Games this week
@ St. Louis, @ Dallas, vs. Los Angeles, vs. Anaheim
Rested team: None
Tired Team: vs. Anaheim (Sunday)
Notes
The Lightning drafted first overall in 2008 and picked up superstar Steve Stamkos. They then went out and picked up undrafted Tyler Johnson who has been as good as any first line center this season and better than most. The Lightning play three games in four days as part of their four game week so I would not be surprised if Evgeni Nabokov got into at least one game for Ben Bishop. Alex Killorn has been hot of late with three goals and nine points in his last 11 games. Cedric Paquette picked up his first career hat trick on Thursday and now has nine goals and 15 points this season.
TORONTO
Games this week
@ Nashville, @ New Jersey, vs. Edmonton
Rested team: None
Tired Team: vs. Edmonton (Saturday)
Notes
The Maple Leafs are one of three teams with an undrafted top two center as their top pivot is Tyler Bozak who was inked by Toronto in 2009 out of the University of Denver.
Most undrafted centers who succeed are undersized (David Desharnais and Tyler Johnson) but the six foot, one inch Bozak just was a late bloomer. The Leafs second center, Nazem Kadri, was picked seventh overall in 2009. Toronto continues to slump as they are 3-15-1 in their last 19 and are getting close to being in the hunt for McDavid or Eichel. Phil Kessel scored his 20th on Thursday but has only three goals in his last 19, coinciding with the slump. Dion Phaneuf is week-to-week with an upper body injury.
VANCOUVER
Games this week
vs. Winnipeg, vs. San Jose, vs. Pittsburgh
Rested Team: vs. San Jose (Thursday), vs. Pittsburgh (Saturday)
Tired Team: None
Notes
The Canucks selected Henrik Sedin with the third pick of the 1999 draft. They traded number two centers with Anaheim in the off-season, giving up Ryan Kesler and getting back Nick Bonino who was drafted 173rd in 2007. The Canucks complete their current six game home stand on Saturday with the Pittsburgh game. Derek Dorsett left Tuesday’s game with a possible head injury. Kevin Bieksa is out six-eight weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a broken hand. His presence on the blueline will be missed. Tom Sestito led the NHL in penalty minutes last season but only played three games with Vancouver in 2014-15 before being sent back to the minors. He thinks he will be back in the NHL next year.
WASHINGTON
Games this week
vs. Los Angeles, @ Ottawa, vs. Anaheim, vs. Philadelphia
Rested team: None
Tired Team: None
Notes
Nicklas Backstrom was drafted fourth overall in 2006 and has been everything that the Capitals and his winger Alex Ovechkin have needed. Evgeny Kuznetsov was highly touted as ‘the best player not in the NHL’ when he arrived after he Sochi Olympics but he has struggled thus far. Kuznetsov was taken with the 20th pick in the 2010 Draft. The Capitals play four times this week including three games in four nights so look for Justin Peters to play once for Braden Holtby. Mike Green has a goal and six points in his last five games and nine points in his last 10. Jay Beagle replaced Andre Burakovsky on the first line Wednesday and played alongside Ovechkin and Backstrom. Burakovsky is someone to keep an eye on next season.
WINNIPEG
Games this week
@ Calgary, @ Vancouver, vs. Chicago, vs. Colorado
Rested team: vs. Colorado (Sunday)
Tired Team: None
Notes
Bryan Little was taken with the 12th pick in the 2006 Draft and he has been terrific for the Jets organization. Look for Mark Scheifele (seventh overall in 2011) to provide solid work as a second line center in the upcoming years as the Jets are definitely a team on the rise. Mathieu Perreault continues to provide scoring for Winnipeg as he had two goals on Thursday to give him eight in his last eight games and 25 points in his last 23 contests. He has been the Jets second line pivot of late and was drafted 177th overall by Washington in 2006. Michael Hutchinson has been great this season but coach Paul Maurice still wants to use Ondrej Pavelec, at least on a rotating basis. I do not understand it.
