I've been saying he's a top 5 since before he signed with the Leafs. You can go back and check if you like.
On that list you provided, he's better than all those guys minus McDavid, Crosby and Malkin.
He's been top 3 for GAR(Goals above Replacement) since 2015. *Note this is all forwards.
He's been top 10 for DGAR(Defensive Goals above Replacement since last year. *Note this is all forwards
In the last two seasons, Tavares is in the 95th percentile for controlled zone entries, zone exits, shot assists.
From TheAthletic: Here’s a list of players who finished in the 70th percentile of shot rate and 95th percentile in shot assist rate since 2016:
- Artemi Panarin
- Connor McDavid
- Jack Eichel
- John Tavares
- Nikita Kucherov
- Patrick Kane
He's been right there with Crosby the last few years as well
Not saying he's better than Crosby but he's been amazing on a team that gave him nothing to work with all these years.
So yeah, definitely a top 5 center IMO, and it'll be more apparent this year.
He's going to have more help now than he's ever had, and that should scare the league.