Who is the better all around center?

[PromisedLand]

results seem to indicate that

11 AAV UFA > 11.634 AAV RFA

that is interesting

 

[Rogue]

Tavares today.
I think Matthews at the age of Tavares will be a much better all around player.
Time will tell, but for now experience is on the Tavares side.

 

[Its not your fault]

results seem to indicate that

11 AAV UFA > 11.634 AAV RFA

that is interesting

When you put it like that 11.634 is a good deal. As he will be better player in 2 years.

 

[TakeTheBody]

Lindholm. Really? He can't score in an empty arena. May not be around for the playoffs.

 

[Dog]

Tavares is Mr. Maple Leaf!

 

[diehardleafsfan9878]

Tavares for sure. Matty still dissapears sometimes in the D zone and has a tendency to stick check for the puck instead of using his body to shut off skating lanes.

You have that backwards

 

[DavePoulin4PM]

Wow... what a thread. The obvious answer is Tavares. If you don't understand how much heavy lifting Tavares does.. well.. I suggest you start educating yourself about the game, and read fewer charts.

This isn't up for debate. There is only one correct answer.

 

[Leafs87]

Matthews IMO will be long term but Tavares for now

 

[Koolboss]

Tavares now, likely Matthews soon.

In order: Tavares, Matthews, Lindholm, Gauthier, Bozak,Kadri.

Fixed

 

[hotpaws]

AM's better offensively , defensively and positionally .

you can't be constantly positioned below the puck in the O zone like JT is and be considered a good defensive center

 

[notDatsyuk]

wow you must be ticked off with Kadri right now lol.

No, I just don't think he's as good as the others at the moment.

Judging by the poll results, I'm not alone.

 

[authentic]

No, I just don't think he's as good as the others at the moment.

Judging by the poll results, I'm not alone.

The votes for the other two are jokes, they're clearly not better than Kadri.

 

[BlueBaron]

Obviously it's Matthews.

 

[DarkKnight]

Lindholm. Really? He can't score in an empty arena. May not be around for the playoffs.

To be fair everyone has 55 game goal droughts. Guy is beyond meh, at every facet of the game.

 

[TakeTheBody]

Matthews JT are easily 1 and 1A.

Kadri

Everyone else.....also ran

 

[ToneDog]

Can't believe Goat and Par get one vote let alone 19 between them.

 

[Its not your fault]

Even when players chrip about Taravers they add he does his job. His job is a number one stud center...

 

[notDatsyuk]

The votes for the other two are jokes, they're clearly not better than Kadri.

They might be intended as 'jokes', but it's more likely that they are serious opinions, just as yours is. I respect your opinion, even though I disagree with it, and think you should do me the same courtesy.

 

[TheGreatOne11]

Matthews when he shows up, but Tavares is more consistent so I went that way.

 

[Morbo]

Matthews. Although unfortunately for the haters, Tavares has been excellent this season.

 

[Mess]

AM's better offensively , defensively and positionally .

you can't be constantly positioned below the puck in the O zone like JT is and be considered a good defensive center

A centre's defensive responsibilities are to be the first forward back to help out the defense and as you say JT is always deep in the Ozone and seldom back helping out defensively.

Matthews is well documented as a 2-way C and his Dzone positioning is strong for his age as he breaks up plays.

JT has never had the reputation as a 2-way C, not only the Leafs but his entire career.

 

[kesleaf]

Tavares and AINEC.

Blessing to have both Tavares and Matthews though

 

[PromisedLand]

people that voted for lindholm and goat; ------------->>>>>>>>> REALLY?

 

[Mickey Marner]

A centre's defensive responsibilities are to be the first forward back to help out the defense and as you say JT is always deep in the Ozone and seldom back helping out defensively.

Matthews is well documented as a 2-way C and his Dzone positioning is strong for his age as he breaks up plays.

JT has never had the reputation as a 2-way C, not only the Leafs but his entire career.

I've been a critic of his defensive play for years. I think the eye-test people conflate his compete level for defensive prowess and the analytic people look at his top-3 defensive GAR and also assume he's a good defensive player. In literally every season of his career -including this year- his team has allowed ES goals against at a higher rate with him on the ice than off the ice. Great player, but Bergeron he is not.

 

[notDatsyuk]

people that voted for lindholm and goat; ------------->>>>>>>>> REALLY?

Or Kadri.

It's really only a two horse race, with Tavares ahead of Matthews, at least for the moment. My opinion, anyway.

More than just 'best', I'd be interested in seeing how people rank them 1 through 5.