The NHL centers have continued to play vital roles in their teams, from leading rushes to setting up teammates.
According to the NHL Network, here are the best centres currently in today's rankings:
20. Sam Bennett (Florida Panthers)
Sam Bennett makes the list of the best NHL centers currently while in the books of the Florida Panthers. The NHL star has the stats on his side with assists (26) and points (51) during the 2024/25 season.
Sam Bennett had a career-best seven-game point streak (four goals, four assists) between November and December, with 15 goals leading the Stanley Cup Playoffs, as well as lifting the Stanley Cup with the Panthers. He also won the Conn Smythe Trophy.
He won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Panthers in 2024 and 2025. He had previously played for the Calgary Flames.
19. Macklin Celebrini (San Jose Sharks)
Macklin Celebrini is the next center on our list today. The San Jose Sharks star was a finalist for the 2025 Calder Trophy after recording 63 points (25 goals, 38 assists) in 70 games.
Macklin Celebrini currently serves as alternate captain. The Canadian played college hockey for the Boston University Terriers and won the Hobey Baker Award.
The Canadian ice hockey star remains one of the best-performing NHL centres today with his consistency and statistics.
18. Tage Thompson (Buffalo Sabres)
Tage Thompson, who plays for the Buffalo Sabres, also makes the list with an impressive record and is also an alternate captain of the team.
The former University of Connecticut college ice hockey star has been a consistent figure in the Sabres' first team. He scored the golden goal 2:02 into overtime to hand the US a 1-0 victory against Switzerland in the final of the 2025 IIHF World Championship.
17. Roope Hintz (Dallas Stars)
Roope Hintz also continued to register impressive performances with 67 points (28 goals, 29 assists) in 76 regular-season games for the Dallas Stars as well as 12 points (six goals, six assists) in the NHL playoffs.
The Finland ice hockey star plays as a forward and an alternate captain for the Dallas Stars. He played in the Finnish Liiga, where his performance for Ilves ranked him among the best players during his time on the team.
16. Tim Stutzle (Ottawa Senators)
Tim Stutzle, who plays for the Ottawa Senators. He was rated as one of the top prospects during the 2020 NHL entry draft.
He ranked as one of the top players during his Stanley Cup Playoff debut with five points (two goals, three assists). His performance over the years earned him a place in Germany's preliminary roster for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.
Tim Stutzle began his professional ice hockey career with Adler Mannheim before making the switch to the NHL.
15. Dylan Larkin (Detroit Red Wings)
Dylan Larkin is one of the best centres around. He is the current captain of the Detroit Red Wings, becoming the team's ninth player in history with four consecutive 30-goal seasons. During the 2024/25 season, he played all 82 games and registered 40 assists and 70 points.
Larkin played collegiate hockey for the University of Michigan, winning the Freshman of the Year award, and was also selected for the All-Freshman Team, All-Big Ten First Team, and Second Team All-American.
14. Nico Hischier (New Jersey Devils)
Nico Hischier is another top NHL centre currently. His performance ranks him among the best Swiss ice hockey players globally. He is the current captain of the team and was recently named to Team Switzerland's preliminary roster for the 2026 Olympics.
Nico Hischier scored a career-high 35 goals during the 2023/24 NHL season and has registered 422 points (171 goals, 251 assists) in 527 games.
13. Sebastian Aho (Carolina Hurricanes)
Sebastian Aho is the next star on the list currently. The Carolina Hurricane star was named to Team Finland's preliminary roster for the 2026 Olympics after his impressive form in the NHL.
With up to three NHL All-Star appearances (2019, 2022, 2024), Sebastian Aho deserves his place on the list. He currently has a record of 631 points (283 goals, 348 assists) in 677 games.
He is an alternate captain for the Carolina Hurricanes. He played for Oulun Kärpät in the Finnish SM-liiga before switching to the NHL.
12. Robert Thomas (St Louis Blues)
Robert Thomas plays for the St Louis Blues. During the 2024/25 season, he had an impressive record of a 12-game point streak (four goals, 21 assists) and later got up to 81 points (21 goals, 60 assists) after helping the team to reach the NHL playoffs.
Robert Thomas is the alternate captain for the St Louis Blues. He played in the Ontario Hockey League with the London Knights and the Hamilton Bulldogs, winning the 2016 Memorial Cup with the Knights.
11. Jack Hughes (New Jersey Devils)
Jack Hughes, who plays for the New Jersey Devils, also ranks as one of the centres in the National Hockey League. Statistics show that he averaged at least 1.10 points per game for four straight seasons.
Jack Jack Hughes is the alternate captain for the New Jersey Devils. He was a product of the U.S. National Development Team.
10. Nick Suzuki, Montreal Canadiens
Nick Suzuki of the Montreal Canadiens is arguably one of the biggest names in the National Hockey League today. He has continued to break records while with the team.
At 23 years old, Nick Suzuki was named the youngest captain in the team history of the Montreal Canadiens on September 12, 2022. The Canadian ice hockey star is often regarded as one of the best players and is known for his craftiness.
9. Mark Scheifele (Winnipeg Jets)
Mark Scheifele is the next player on the list currently. The Canadian ice hockey star is the alternate captain for the Winnipeg Jets.
Mark Scheifele currently holds the Winnipeg Jets record for both goals and points. He recorded 87 points (39 goals, 48 assists) in 82 games to help the Jets to win the Presidents' Trophy. Throughout his career at the Winnipeg Jets, he has been a key contributor offensively for the team.
8. Brayden Point (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Brayden Point's inclusion on the list is not a surprise amid his top form in the National Hockey League. The Canadian ice hockey star is one of the key players in the Tampa Bay Lightning squad.
He played an important role as the Tampa Bay Lightning went on to win the Stanley Cup back-to-back in 2020 and 2021, as well as leading the playoffs in goal-scoring both times.
Statistics show that he has scored at least 40 goals in about three consecutive seasons. His performance had earned him a place in Team Canada's preliminary roster for the Olympics.
7. Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs)
Auston Matthews is arguably one of the best in the NHL today. The National Hockey League superstar was named in Team USA's preliminary roster for the Olympics.
Since the 2016-17 season, Auston Matthews has continued to rank among the NHL's leading goal scorers, scoring at least 30 in each of his nine seasons. He is widely considered to be one of the best ice hockey players in the world.
6. Jack Eichel (Vegas Golden Knights)
Jack Eichel is the next player on the list of NHL top centres. He is often regarded as one of the best players in the league currently. He also made Team USA's preliminary Olympic squad. Last season, he managed 94 points (28 goals, 66 assists) in 77 games.
5. Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins)
Sidney Crosby plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins. The team captain and Canadian ice hockey star is one of the best players in the NHL today.
4. Aleksander Barkov (Florida Panthers)
Aleksander Barkov is the next player on the list. The Florida Panthers star is known for his versatility and consistency. The Finnish ice hockey star is regarded as an elite two-way centre and one of the best defensive forwards.
He has won two Stanley Cup championships and was named in the NHL All-Star twice and the Frank J. Selke Trophy three times.
3. Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers)
Leon Draisaitl, who plays for the Edmonton Oilers, is the next NHL centre on the list. He was a Hart Trophy finalist for the NHL League MVP and is the alternate captain for the team.
Leon Draisaitl made history as the first German to win the Art Ross Trophy as the leading point scorer in the NHL. He has contributed to getting the numbers for the Edmonton Oilers in the league.
2. Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche)
Nathan MacKinnon is the alternate captain for the Colorado Avalanche. The Canadian also made the preliminary list for the Olympics. His performance has earned him a place among the highest-rated players in the NHL. He recorded 116 (32 goals, 84 assists) in 79 games in the 2024/25 season.
1. Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers)
Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers tops the list of the best NHL centers currently. The captain is also part of Team Canada's Olympic team. He is widely regarded as one of the best players in the world.