Where does Barkov rank right now for best centers in the NHL?

[Conspiracy Theorist]

Top 3. He's the sole superstar on his team.

 

[5Hollywood5]

Depends. You want to win the Stanley Cup or the Art Ross? Barkov is #1 and he's proving it right now. He has just shut down major offensive threats.... That have scored ZERO goals against him at 5v5. He's producing at PPG. And we're still debating if be may be #3-5? This is why he's still considered underrated.

He has a case for #5, but not any higher.

 

[pantherbot]

He has a case for #5, but not any higher.

McDavid and Drai for 1 and 2 amirite?

 

[5Hollywood5]

McDavid and Drai for 1 and 2 amirite?

McD/MacK

 

[The Crypto Guy]

He just had what the most dominant Selke run and is currently in the middle of the most dominating 2way playoff run we’ve seen

He’s scored 88 points in 67 games with 96 point career high so you know he can put up the points as well and is a 2 time Selke winner at the peak of his prime

Soo you’re right let’s say 10th, in reality top 3/5

One good year doesn't bump him pass players who have been doing it for years. He was 27th in scoring for crying out loud. He's good, top 5-7. Not in the conversation for top 3, not at all.

 

[NotCommitted]

One good year doesn't bump him pass players who have been doing it for years.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Yes? Are you saying he has been a top 3 center for years? Lets add some context to your post.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

3-5

 

[elmaco]

One good year doesn't bump him pass players who have been doing it for years. He was 27th in scoring for crying out loud. He's good, top 5-7. Not in the conversation for top 3, not at all.

Who gives a f*** about regular season?

 

[NotCommitted]

Yes? Are you saying he has been a top 3 center for years? Lets add some context to your post.

Yeah you could easily argue that at least ever since his 1st Selke win if not before. Personally I've had him as #3 behind McDavid and MacKinnon for a few years, what he loses in points to some of the other guys in the top10, he in my mind more than makes up for with a combination of his defensive play and elevating linemates. He's the proverbial guy to build around.

Even if you don't rate him as highly as me, he's been ~top10 center for something like 5-7 years, so it's not like it's "one good year".

 

[Craft Beer Lover]

He’s #3.

Incidentally, Matthews isn’t a center. He’s a left wing playing center.

 

[BB88]

One good year doesn't bump him pass players who have been doing it for years. He was 27th in scoring for crying out loud. He's good, top 5-7. Not in the conversation for top 3, not at all.

Good thing it’s not a 1 year thing..

He’s a +ppg player while being the best defensive forward in the league for crying out load as you want to say

88 points in 67 games shows you plenty of offense
96 point career high

80 points in 73 games while absolutely running away with Selke

Floridas best player throughout this playoff run, proven he’s a playoff performer as well. Unlike many you’d rank ahead of him

”But it’s only 1 good season”

He could score more points but as everyone in Florida says since Maurice game in they rather focus on winning over run and gun hockey

 

[NotCommitted]

I think Barkov's offense gets underrated because of the role he's played in Florida for years, he was 6th in scoring the year he played mostly in a more traditional 1st line setup with Huberdeau on his wing, but even then he had the lowest o-zone start% in the team with a meager 42%. He's too good to be used like a true "shutdown specialist" and ofc get #1PP time, but his usage is way more defensive than most #1 centers in the league and it's not because he doesn't have the offensive skill to be a "star".

Also what seems to happen a lot is Florida get a Duclair, Verhaeghe, or whoever who's done nothing in their previous team, put them on the wing of Barkov and suddenly they are 1st liners. I mean Verhaeghe is a very good player on his own these days, but his first season in the Panthers I seem to recall their first line was mostly Verhaeghe - Barkov - Duclair and that was all Barkov, he carried that line so hard both ends of the ice.

Even the 2nd line gets a big boost playing behind Barkov, a lot of it is just simple usage but I've seen Barkov make highlight reel plays at the end of shifts just to buy time for the line change and get them the o-zone start.

 

[Panthaz89]

Ugh top 10 don't let a dominate deep team fool you into thinking otherwise....its great to have a defensive center but the top guys can be easily be matched against a 4th line that got stuck and get a goal in few seconds most of the time. The problem is when you play against Florida is that they don't really have any bad lines.

 

[Three On Zero]

Right now, in this moment? #1 in the league

 

[Marioesque]

He dominates any matchup he gets, shuts down and overperforms head to head against the other guys on the "top 10" list.

So it's really about what you consider the best. He gives you the best chance of winning. He won't score nearly as many points as some other guys will in a season. But those leading guys won't be scoring those points against him.

He's not as marketable or his skills as recognizable as a 120+ pt offensive weapon, but he's a better overall player with a bigger game impact when facing those otherwise high offense guys.

If I get to pick a team for a game or tournament, out of a lineup of all players and get to go first pick, he's the one I'm picking. Because who ever you pick 2nd and 3rd, my guy will blank them.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Good thing it’s not a 1 year thing..

He’s a +ppg player while being the best defensive forward in the league for crying out load as you want to say

88 points in 67 games shows you plenty of offense
96 point career high

80 points in 73 games while absolutely running away with Selke

Floridas best player throughout this playoff run, proven he’s a playoff performer as well. Unlike many you’d rank ahead of him

”But it’s only 1 good season”

He could score more points but as everyone in Florida says since Maurice game in they rather focus on winning over run and gun hockey

It’s only one top 3 center season. Pay attention.

 

[Dead Coyote]

I'd say he's either #3 or #4 depending on how much you value offense vs defense and playoffs vs regular season. At worst he's 5 if you put both guys ahead of him. I'd also have Point and Rantanen around here somewhere. Top 5 defensive center in the league, elevates in playoffs, still is capable of putting the game on his back offensively. Best overall forward in the NHL right now IMO.

 

[MrGuyPerson]

Right now anywhere you want in the top 5. Championships make goats. Every 1 C is competing to win the same thing and only one of them gets to hoist the hardware that matters most. Championships is the only stat that matters. Why is Tom Brady the goat? 7. Why is Jordan better than LeBron? 6. Why is Mahomes better than Josh Allen and Lamar? 3. If anyone makes points based on selfish hardware stats you're using the wrong score board. Selfish stats don't get the city a parade.

If Florida runs it back next season and wins the cup back-2-back I think you could die on the hill of solo #1 and it would be tough to disagree. If Florida goes back-2-back then back again for 3 straight cups wins? I think you could die on the #1 C of his Gen hill. Good luck arguing he isnt. The 1 C who captained the first 3 pete since the 80s? No amount of Hart trophies on earth can counter cups. McDavid could outscore Gretzky long term, but if he doesn't start winning cups him Lindros and Dan Marino get to party in the Greatest. To. Never. Win. Category in trivia

 

[Gurglesons]

Top 10. Much like Toews he is getting overrated because an absolutely nuts playoffs.

 

[KevinRedkey]

Drai
Matthews
Crosby
Barkov

I think those 4 have a legit argument for #3, but one of them has to fall outside the top-5. Tough to decide as there's valid points for all 4.

 

[pantherbot]

If Barkov played on a Canadian team, he'd be hailed as the best player in the world. He doesn't produce as many points but he helps you win games. You want individual trophies or you want to win the Cup?

 

[KevinRedkey]

If Barkov played on a Canadian team, he'd be hailed as the best player in the world. He doesn't produce as many points but he helps you win games. You want individual trophies or you want to win the Cup?

Total BS..

MacKinnon has a cup, doesn't play on a Canadian team, is better than Barkov, and still isn't considered as good as McDavid. Swap McDavid and Barkov, and it's 3-0 Florida against a team not called the Oilers right now.

Congratz on the cup, but try not to let it get to your head too much.

 

[wetcoast]

#3-5 seems reasonable. I've been beating his drum for years now. I wouldn't argue with anyone saying any spot within that range. He's clearly behind McDavid and MacKinnon. He's in the range with Matthews and Draisaitl. I voted #3 purely based on recency bias.

3-5 does seem reasonable but so does top 10 as I look at this question as to which center do I take going into next season throw everyone in the pool and redrafting them.

In the last 4 seasons he has basically missed an average of 10 games per 82 and this season was the healthiest with 73 games in 82.

It's a string of my favorite centers, Fedorov, Zetterberg, Kopitar, Barkov. Who is next?

Maybe Celebrini?

 

[Svencouver]

#4 behind Matthews, ahead of Drai