On Wednesday night, NHL Network revealed its list of the top 20 centers in the game today. The list included many of the usual suspects, particularly in the top 15. However, there is one name on the list combined with one omission that may interest Blackhawks fans.
San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini made the list at number 19. Meanwhile, Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard was missing. The 2024 first overall pick made it, but the 2023 first overall pick fell off after appearing at number 13 last summer.
NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) on XNot bad, kid!
Macklin Celebrini makes his Top 20 Centers Right Now debut!
@SanJoseSharks | #NHLTopPlayers
Celebrini, in his first season, had 25 goals and 38 assists for 63 points in 70 games played on a lousy Sharks team. That earned him a third-place finish in the Calder Trophy voting for the league's top rookie.
As for Bedard, in his second season, he had 23 goals, 44 assists, and 67 points in 82 games played. This was his second straight 20-goal – 60-point campaign to begin his NHL career. He won the Calder Trophy for his outstanding performance during his rookie 2023-2024 season.
It is interesting to see the love that Celebrini gets, which is well deserved, compared to the oversight that Connor Bedard gets. They are equally as productive at this stage of their careers, and neither of them is on a winning team yet.
The guy who rounded out the top-20 list, Sam Bennett, won the Conn Smythe Trophy and a back-to-back Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers.
NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) on XThe 2025 Conn Smythe Trophy winner kicks off our Top 20 Centers Right Now list!
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Right now, the NHL Network believes that Celebrini is better than Bennett, which is an incredible compliment. How long before Bedard is seen as such?
The ironic part is that Bedard and Celebrini have been skating together this summer. Lots of videos have surfaced throughout the off-season of the two practicing, looking better than ever.
Both of them are primed to break out in the coming years. Chicago and San Jose may even be forced rivals because of these two, once they reach their peak. By then, both of these stars will be staples on this list of top 20 centers.
Another layer to this is the Olympics. Neither Bedard nor Celebrini made it to the 4-Nations Face-Off with Team Canada, but they were both invited to Hockey Canada's Olympic Orientation Camp. They are seen as bubble players at this time, but big starts to the 2025-26 NHL season could change all of that.
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