Jan Levine: NHL Network Top-20 centers - which Rangers pivot made the list? Did Zib or Troch make the list?

Completely agree with you Jan.

Trocheck deserves to be on the list over Mika.

Hopefully Mika can have a bounce back year and prove he belongs on that list.

I'm baffled by these rankings in a way, to be honest.

Seems like for some guys they've taken the past 3-4 years into account whereas for others they've weighted almost exclusively on last season.

Elliotte Friedman
@FriedgeHNIC
·
13s
Working on more, but hearing Rutger McGroarty is being traded from Winnipeg to Pittsburgh

Completely agree with you Jan.

Trocheck deserves to be on the list over Mika.

Hopefully Mika can have a bounce back year and prove he belongs on that list.
- Brukie

Mika and Tro both are not top 20 centers. Both closer to 25-30

Elliotte Friedman
@FriedgeHNIC
·
13s
Working on more, but hearing Rutger McGroarty is being traded from Winnipeg to Pittsburgh
- nyrangers2

If Winnipeg didn’t get Yager back as part of the deal…

Mika and Tro both are not top 20 centers. Both closer to 25-30
- nyrangers2

We can agree to disagree…and we are

Elliotte Friedman
@FriedgeHNIC
·
13s
Working on more, but hearing Rutger McGroarty is being traded from Winnipeg to Pittsburgh
- nyrangers2

And as I suggested
https://x.com/friedgehnic...&t=TjVF8knYfhOudT98NT3GtQ

And as I suggested
https://x.com/friedgehnic...&t=TjVF8knYfhOudT98NT3GtQ
- airjan23

Dont love it as much as I would've had it been a 2nd or multiple picks. Guess he wasnt particularly hell bent on going to one team and the competition was big for him.

No idea what Dubas's mindset is here. He really really liked Yager.

Dont love it as much as I would've had it been a 2nd or multiple picks. Guess he wasnt particularly hell bent on going to one team and the competition was big for him.

No idea what Dubas's mindset is here. He really really liked Yager.
- SuperHenderson13

Fairly even return. Winnipeg did well with their back to the wall. McGroarty needs to get faster but has a slightly better chance to be a top six player than Yager.

Dont love it as much as I would've had it been a 2nd or multiple picks. Guess he wasnt particularly hell bent on going to one team and the competition was big for him.

No idea what Dubas's mindset is here. He really really liked Yager.
- SuperHenderson13

Only thing I can really think of is that maybe McGroarty is maybe a little closer to NHL-ready? Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems like they're trying to milk the last good years out of the 87/71/56 core and maybe they see McGroarty as more ready to contribute now than Yager.

Only thing I can really think of is that maybe McGroarty is maybe a little closer to NHL-ready? Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems like they're trying to milk the last good years out of the 87/71/56 core and maybe they see McGroarty as more ready to contribute now than Yager.
- eichiefs9

That's the million dollar question. None of us really know what the plan is. It seems like they are trying to do a retool of the roster with young players quickly, but the moves they've made this summer arent exactly, "lets go compete with our guys". We have taken 2-3 cap dumps for draft picks.

I think if it was up to FSG, they'd rebuild now with our guys still on the roster so they could still get good attendance while putting a poor product on the ice. If Crosby plays at the level he played at last year, our ability to be a bottom 5-10 team will be limited.

McGroarty is a prospect with a higher % chance to become a regular NHL and start NHL player compared to Yager. So it may just be as simple as Dubas trying to upgrade his prospects

We can agree to disagree…and we are
- airjan23

I would take anyone on that top 20 list over mika. Not sure who on there he is better than. I would take Nico as hes way younger, better 5v5 and defensively. Mika and tro could come in at 21-25. Top 20 based off last year just do not see it over anyone on that list. Plus Horvat had a better year than Zib arguably. Same with Barzal.

Fairly even return. Winnipeg did well with their back to the wall. McGroarty needs to get faster but has a slightly better chance to be a top six player than Yager.
- airjan23

Yea usually you see the disgruntled prospect getting traded for a few non-1st round picks. To get another prospect close to his value is good work by Winnipeg.

I have no issue with the trade, I think from a pure analytical perspective, its a good move for Pittsburgh.

Yea usually you see the disgruntled prospect getting traded for a few non-1st round picks. To get another prospect close to his value is good work by Winnipeg.

I have no issue with the trade, I think from a pure analytical perspective, its a good move for Pittsburgh.
- SuperHenderson13

They get a player who has a bit more grit and attitude to his game. Plus has shown he has a big time shot and can be deployed on the PP. Key will be if the improvements he made on his skating and work still need to be done end up improving that weakness

I would take anyone on that top 20 list over mika. Not sure who on there he is better than. I would take Nico as hes way younger, better 5v5 and defensively. Mika and tro could come in at 21-25. Top 20 based off last year just do not see it over anyone on that list. Plus Horvat had a better year than Zib arguably. Same with Barzal.

Maybe over a 3 year sample but if we are going off just 2024
- nyrangers2

I would take anyone on that top 20 list over mika. Not sure who on there he is better than. I would take Nico as hes way younger, better 5v5 and defensively. Mika and tro could come in at 21-25. Top 20 based off last year just do not see it over anyone on that list. Plus Horvat had a better year than Zib arguably. Same with Barzal.
- nyrangers2

I would take Mika or Tro over Barzal anyday. Barzal often seems to actually make his linemates WORSE, not better. The guy can't help but hold on to the puck when he should've passed it 4 times already.

I would take Mika or Tro over Barzal anyday. Barzal often seems to actually make his linemates WORSE, not better. The guy can't help but hold on to the puck when he should've passed it 4 times already.
- Tonybere

Barzal isn’t on the list though. And I don’t think he’s been playing center

Barzal isn’t on the list though. And I don’t think he’s been playing center
- picklerick

Did I cite "the list," Mr. Pickle?
I was directly refuting his statement in the comment I responded to.
I think there is room for debate on a number of those names, mostly over how many spots they might go up or down. But, for Mika I'm fine with it. I think you could make a case for him being as high as 15 or as low as 22, but either way, he's a very-good bordering on elite #1 center in the league. If there were only 20 teams in the league, I would still want him as my top center if I couldn't get one that is on the list of those who are obviously better.

Did I cite "the list," Mr. Pickle?
I was directly refuting his statement in the comment I responded to.
I think there is room for debate on a number of those names, mostly over how many spots they might go up or down. But, for Mika I'm fine with it. I think you could make a case for him being as high as 15 or as low as 22, but either way, he's a very-good bordering on elite #1 center in the league. If there were only 20 teams in the league, I would still want him as my top center if I couldn't get one that is on the list of those who are obviously better.
- Tonybere

I think the list all depends on if its only on last year or they are weighing it over 3 years.

Did I cite "the list," Mr. Pickle?
I was directly refuting his statement in the comment I responded to.
I think there is room for debate on a number of those names, mostly over how many spots they might go up or down. But, for Mika I'm fine with it. I think you could make a case for him being as high as 15 or as low as 22, but either way, he's a very-good bordering on elite #1 center in the league. If there were only 20 teams in the league, I would still want him as my top center if I couldn't get one that is on the list of those who are obviously better.
- Tonybere

If you go by last years numbers, there is no way you can say Mika is bordering on "Elite"

2 years ago is 2 years ago, players get older not younger.

Maybe he cuts his hair like Panarin and has a good 24-25 season

If you go by last years numbers, there is no way you can say Mika is bordering on "Elite"

2 years ago is 2 years ago, players get older not younger.

Maybe he cuts his hair like Panarin and has a good 24-25 season
- Brukie

I see your point. And, Father Time definitely always wins the race. But, I believe that last year was more about no luck, no confidence and maybe just not quite enough resiliency than it was about being another year older.
I hope he's learned some things and realizes working even harder is usually the safest path to success. All the tools are there.

Mika and Tro both are not top 20 centers. Both closer to 25-30
- nyrangers2

Yeah correct but somehow they finished second, two out of three years, they must suck

Yeah correct but somehow they finished second, two out of three years, they must suck
- irishgerm

Who finished second??

Yes Mika does suck 5v5

Players I would not trade Zibanajad straight up.

Nico Hischier, New Jersey Devils
Robert Thomas, St. Louis Blues
Tim Stutzle, Ottawa Senators
Nick Suzuki, Montreal Canadiens
Dylan Larkin, Detroit Red Wings
Roope Hintz, Dallas Stars
J.T. Miller, Vancouver Canucks
Sebastian Aho, Carolina Hurricanes
Jack Eichel, Vegas Golden Knights
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins


Player I would trade Zibanajad straight up
Connor Bedard, Chicago Blackhawks
Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks
Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils
Brayden Point, Tampa Bay Lightning
Aleksander Barkov, Florida Panthers
Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers
Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs
Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche
Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers

I’m looking for a big rebound season for Zib. I’m attributing last year to being a new dad and coming into the season out of shape as a results. Plus, you never sleep in that first year..