So does Toronto now have the best centers in the league?

[Nadal On Clay]

Im trying my best to not be a homer, but it’s Pittsburgh by a mile.

 

[WillTheThrill]

Penguins probably still do. Leafs wingers are better though.

 

[Tavares to Marner]

overall offense depth were probably #1, center depth we are 2nd or 3rd

 

[Panthaz89]

boy do Leafs fans overrated Kadri....30 goal scorer? you think he's getting that kind of production playing on the 3rd line all season

 

[LivingRentFree]

Where do you think he played last year bud? Kadris ice time and linemates will likely be extremely similar. Scary depth

 

[Lebanese Leaf]

boy do Leafs fans overrated Kadri....30 goal scorer? you think he's getting that kind of production playing on the 3rd line all season

He was essentially a 3rd line C last year. He and Bozak had almost identical ice time, but Bozak got to play with Marner and JVR, while Kadri played with Brown and Komarov for most of the year. Not saying he's a lock to score 30 this season, but he can certainly do it again within the same role.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Kardi's a beautiful #3, but I'm not sure that offsets the difference in talent of Taveres/Matthews vs. Crosby/Malkin, Kuznetsov/Backstrom, McDavid/Draisaitl, Stamkos/Point/Johnson, and Kopitar/Carter. Each of those teams still have a centre (or two) who is a league above both Taveres and Matthews.

 

[NextYear67]

We do for sure. No contest

 

[Lebanese Leaf]

Kardi's a beautiful #3, but I'm not sure that offsets the difference in talent of Taveres/Matthews vs. Crosby/Malkin, Kuznetsov/Backstrom, McDavid/Draisaitl, Stamkos/Point/Johnson, and Kopitar/Carter. Each of those teams still have a centre (or two) who is a league above both Taveres and Matthews.

You could argue the first 3 pairs no problem, but C'mon on the bolded. You cant't tell em Point/Johnson or Carter are on the level of a Matthews.

 

[robertmac43]

Kuznetsov/Backstrom, McDavid/Draisaitl, Stamkos/Point/Johnson, and Kopitar/Carter. Each of those teams still have a centre (or two) who is a league above both Taveres and Matthews.

I think Crosby and Malkin are the only ones clearly better. Maybe the Caps duo, but after that I'm taking Tavares and Matthews over everyone else. Especially over the TB and LA ones. Carter is not what he once was, and TJ and Point are no where near the level of Tavares and Matthews

 

[robertmac43]

boy do Leafs fans overrated Kadri....30 goal scorer? you think he's getting that kind of production playing on the 3rd line all season

With PP time, yeah I do think he still hits 30

 

[Panthaz89]

With PP time, yeah I do think he still hits 30

who the heck is he getting PP time with Tavarres and Matthews playing

 

[Martin Skoula]

who the heck is he getting PP time withavarres and Matthews playing

Kadri is going to take over JVR's net front role, he already played it a lot this year.

 

[Yackiberg8]

Kuznetsov > Tavares, Backstrom > Mathews, Kadri > Eller

lolll

 

[Kranix]

They now have the best centres of all time.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

I think Crosby and Malkin are the only ones clearly better. Maybe the Caps duo, but after that I'm taking Tavares and Matthews over everyone else. Especially over the TB and LA ones. Carter is not what he once was, and TJ and Point are no where near the level of Tavares and Matthews

You could argue the first 3 pairs no problem, but C'mon on the bolded. You cant't tell em Point/Johnson or Carter are on the level of a Matthews.

Ehh these two are fair points. Stamkos I think is a slight tier above Tavares, but Point and Johnson don't really hit that level. I'll take that one back.

Though McDavid can still outscore either of the Leafs by 20+ points, and Drai's more or less a PPG player too matching them, that one I will keep over the Leafs.

I'll hold my reservation on Carter. Admittedly I love him as a player, but Kopitar is a clear step above the Leafs duo.

 

[Darcy Tucker]

Penguins
Kings
Leafs
Caps
Lightning
Oilers

Something like that for centers. Who cares we have Marner and Nylander on elc. Our forward group is top 5 and we have a legit netminder. We are contenders the power rankings don't matter.

 

[ViewsFromThe6ix]

What other team has a 30 goal scoring shutdown 3rd line center?

 

[Darcy Tucker]

What other team has a 30 goal scoring shutdown 3rd line center?

No one . Kadri is underrated. He plays with balls and has a great offensive toolset. Penguins are still better at C overall.

 

[Einzakin]

As a Leaf fan I think Penguins are the undisputed #1 in terms of centre. Toronto is a close 2nd.

We do have to take into account the fact that Malkin and Crosby have always played on the same team, which makes them both better. Matthews is a beast 5v5 and with Tavares on the team there is no telling how much better all 3 of them (Mattews, JT, Kadri) will get. Just a thought.

 

[gamer1035]

Let me know when Crosby, Malkin and brassard play a flight season together

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

it's still definitely Pittsburgh. I'd take the Leafs overall forward group though

 

[rent free]

nope. the pens and caps centers are better. toronto's will have to prove it on ice as well, right now its just good on paper

 

[Hockey4Lyfe]

Let me know when Crosby, Malkin and brassard play a flight season together

Wtf is a “flight season”. I’m assuming you meant full season?

Considering they picked up Brassard at the trade deadline last year, this would be the first season where they could potentially play it all together.

Not really sure the point you are trying to make though.

 

[Tonka]

Penguins are the best, but Toronto is 2nd, followed by Washington.