Barzal is a top-10 centre in the league, isnt he?

[De Montreal]

Who' legit better than him at this point? McDavid, Eichel, MacKinnon, Draisatl, Crosby, Petterson, O'Reilly, Point... who else? Maybe Malkin, Stamkos? Maybe Aho? Barkov?

Where do you rank him? I think at this point I put him ahead of Malkin, Stamkos, Aho and Barkov but behind all the other names.

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[TomasHertlsRooster]

Connor McDavid
Nathan MacKinnon
Ryan O’Reilly
Sean Couturier
Patrice Bergeron
Sidney Crosby
Elias Pettersson
Brayden Point
Auston Matthews
Evgeni Malkin

I love Barzal but I don’t really see an argument for him being a better center than any of these guys.

 

[De Montreal]

Connor McDavid
Nathan MacKinnon
Ryan O’Reilly
Sean Couturier
Patrice Bergeron
Sidney Crosby
Elias Pettersson
Brayden Point
Auston Matthews
Evgeni Malkin

I love Barzal but I don’t really see an argument for him being a better center than any of these guys.

Forgot about Matthews, yeah he's ahead of Barzal

I thought of Couturier and Bergeron but I'd say Barzal is at least on par with them moving forward. They are not getting any quicker, and while they are better defensively Barzal is much better at creating offence. He also dont have a Pastrnak or a Marchand next to him.

 

[Bounces R Way]

Barzal>>>Tavares

 

[Ace of Hades]

Barzal>>>Tavares

Easily. Not much of an argument here.

 

[SI90]

People will look at points and production and that’s fair but this kids talents are just unreal. Trotz has also made him a complete player. He’s a relentless puck hound and doesn’t stop working without the puck now. Offensively he’s a wizard and his skating is amount the very best in the world.

 

[Hockeyholic]

Connor McDavid
Nathan MacKinnon
Ryan O’Reilly
Sean Couturier
Patrice Bergeron
Sidney Crosby
Elias Pettersson
Brayden Point
Auston Matthews
Evgeni Malkin

I love Barzal but I don’t really see an argument for him being a better center than any of these guys.

An argument can be made for him over these guys. And ROR is iffy too.

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

An argument can be made for him over these guys. And ROR is iffy too.

What argument puts him above those three players?

 

[GrandmaSlices51631]

I remember when MacKinnons point totals dipped in his Sophomore season there were many writing him off and now he is being discussed in the same vein as McDavid.

Perhaps an Isles bias, but I do believe he has all the tools to be a top-5 C in the show. He isn't there yet but is only 23 and still learning, no one else in the league really plays the position the way he does, mainly due to his edge work and ability to literally turn on a dime at top speed.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

I definitely think so.

 

[Hockeyholic]

What argument puts him above those three players?

This season. His defensive responsibilities. Alot of those guys are being heralded for accomplishments pre 2019-2020.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

top 3 C in New York, yes.

 

[Ryan Michaels]

Connor McDavid
Nathan MacKinnon
Ryan O’Reilly
Sean Couturier
Patrice Bergeron
Sidney Crosby
Elias Pettersson
Brayden Point
Auston Matthews
Evgeni Malkin

I love Barzal but I don’t really see an argument for him being a better center than any of these guys.

Yeah, I feel like most "this guy is a top 'x' at his position" posts don't really consider who they're ranking him ahead. Great player, can't we leave it at that?

 

[kabidjan18]

His team is still in the playoffs. Which is not true for a large number of the other players being mentioned.

 

[Mr Positive]

Connor McDavid
Nathan MacKinnon
Ryan O’Reilly
Sean Couturier
Patrice Bergeron
Sidney Crosby
Elias Pettersson
Brayden Point
Auston Matthews
Evgeni Malkin

I love Barzal but I don’t really see an argument for him being a better center than any of these guys.

I feel like there's a few on that list there by reputation. Malkin, O'Reilly and Bergeron in particular. I think Barzal is better than Couturier and Pettersen as well

 

[miscs75]

Skating-ability alone he’s top 5 if not higher with his edge work.

 

[JTToilinginToronto]

Yes he is, but he pays the Islanders tax. Most here will simply disregard him because of the team he plays on. You know, the usual.

 

[kabidjan18]

I feel like there's a few on that list there by reputation. Malkin, O'Reilly and Bergeron in particular. I think Barzal is better than Couturier and Pettersen as well

You say "by reputation" and then list a bunch of players who have recently won cups...

 

[Mr Positive]

You say "by reputation" and then list a bunch of players who have recently won cups...

well yes, and being on those teams adds a lot to their reputation. That is for good reason, but it also should make anyone wonder how much is from them and how much is from their team. It's not like Barzal has some of the elite talent around him that those other centers do.

And btw, I'm not saying anyone listed is a bad player. They are all great but any honest discussion of top 10 player should have some extreme standards and look at every angle

 

[VanillaCoke]

Not in the top 10 yet, but close. Another year or two and it'll be much tougher to argue he isnt, if things progress reasonably.

 

[DearDiary]

I feel like there's a few on that list there by reputation. Malkin, O'Reilly and Bergeron in particular. I think Barzal is better than Couturier and Pettersen as well

Malkin put up a 110 point pace this season... Barzal paced 72 points

 

[KareemTrustfund]

I feel like there's a few on that list there by reputation. Malkin, O'Reilly and Bergeron in particular. I think Barzal is better than Couturier and Pettersen as well

Malkin was on a 110 point pace this season. Barzal is not better than Malkin.

 

[kabidjan18]

well yes, and being on those teams adds a lot to their reputation. That is for good reason, but it also should make anyone wonder how much is from them and how much is from their team. It's not like Barzal has some of the elite talent around him that those other centers do.

And btw, I'm not saying anyone listed is a bad player. They are all great but any honest discussion of top 10 player should have some extreme standards and look at every angle

Sure.

I think a big thing that's amiss from a lot of these calculations though are just the player's ability to execute systems of hockey that win games. Far too many times when the question is asked "who is a top 10 X" in the league, the basic question being asked is "who is a top 10 regular season point scorer in the league?" And I think that kind of mentality is a bit misguided.

The goal of the season is to win the cup. And to do it recently. Players, I think, who've demonstrated the ability to do so should be valued highly.

 

[Riseonfire]

Other than McDavid or MacKinnion, no one can hold onto the puck like he can in the offensive zone. (Kane is a winger).

Idk about top 10 juuuust yet but he's f***ing close.

 

[mm11]

Who' legit better than him at this point? McDavid, Eichel, MacKinnon, Draisatl, Crosby, Petterson, O'Reilly, Point... who else? Maybe Malkin, Stamkos? Maybe Aho? Barkov?

Where do you rank him? I think at this point I put him ahead of Malkin, Stamkos, Aho and Barkov but behind all the other names.

Get the guy a running mate. Barzal is a star that is about to take off. Top 10? Getting there