Is Nate Mackinnon a top 3 C in the league?

[Favin]

My top 5 for short-term...

1. McDavid
2. MacKinnon
3. Crosby
4. Matthews
5. Barkov

 

[Emerz]

Eh, he was actually deployed differently than in years past - more geared towards offense this year.

Do zone starts really tell the tale of how he played though? By the eye test it looked like his best defensive season ever to be honest.

 

[LOFIN]

Very tough question, because I kinda view MacKinnon as a hybrid of wing/center. I mean, sometimes he is a bit lazy on the D, he's not that good with faceoffs... Those are pretty important things if we are talking about a pure center. I think with the Avs there is not a true center with the top line. Landeskog and MacKinnon share those duties equally.

Then again, how many players playing C would you take before MacKinnon in this league? McDavid yeah, but then? Starts to get tough.

 

[tony d]

Yes he is, behind only Crosby and Mcdavid when it comes to centres in the league.

 

[KoozNetsOff 92]

#2 after McDavid

 

[Ace of Hades]

Number 2 or 3.

McDavid, Crosby/MacKinnon, Barkov is how I see it.

 

[Pierce Hawthorne]

Number 2 or 3.

McDavid, Crosby/MacKinnon, Barkov is how I see it.

Me as well. Purely based on skill level it's

McDavid
Crosby/Mack
Barkov

And then a bunch of guys with a good argument for #5. Matthews, Tavares, Stamkos, Point, Bergeron, Scheifele, Draisaitl(If he's considered a Center) just to name a few.



If cap impact plays a role I think he's right alongside McDavid for most valuable player in the league.

 

[LongWayDown37]

He’s really good. Does it really matter outside of sparking an unquantifiable argument?

 

[spiny norman]

Lopsided result.