NHL.com recently released a top 20 centers list, which left off Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar.
This has to be the first time in a long time Kopitar hasn’t featured on a list like this and I’m sure he isn’t far out of the top 20.
However, leaving Kopitar out makes sense from NHL.com.
Looking at the above list, Connor Bedard is the obvious argument to pull out and replace with Kopitar.
After just one season, where he was very impressive offensively, it’s fair to argue Bedard shouldn’t be that high so early.
I’d probably agree with that argument too, but I get buying on the talent with Bedard.
The other arguments come with players who aren’t full time centers.
Jack Hughes, Tim Stutzle and Elias Pettersson are all better than Kopitar currently, but all three played significant minutes at wing last season.
Purely as a center, there’s an argument to have Kopitar above these players.
Kopitar is still one of the league’s best two-way centers and that complete game can keep him in the conversation around those superior offensive powers.
Kopitar’s offense and play-driving did drop off pretty noticeably last season though.
Quinton Byfield was the main play driver on Kopitar’s line and he finished outside the top 50 in scoring and outside the top 65 in points per game amongst forwards.
There’s more to being a good center than points, but you can’t be an elite center without the production to match.
While Kopitar is certainly still a productive player, it’s difficult to be considered top 20 in your position when you aren’t cracking the top 50 in points. Especially if the play driving isn’t there.
For Kings fans, Byfield emerging as a top 20 centers over the next season or two is their best hope of having a player in that upper echelon again.
Source Agencies
