Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

Ranking Teams By Their Center Strength

07/09/2014 at 6:15pm EDT

from Allan Muir of Sports Illustrated,

We looked at the presumptive top-four centers on each team—with the understanding that some players will move in and out of the position—to see which club will dress the most impactful group of pivots in the coming season.

30- FLORIDA PANTHERS

ALEKSANDER BARKOV-NICK BJUGSTAD-DAVE BOLLAND-DEREK MACKENZIE
There's no 1-2 punch with less experience than Barkov and Bjugstad, and while on-the-job training is critical to the process of developing, it's going to make for some long nights. Putting his contact aside, Bolland's experience and leadership make him a valuable presence in a depth role, especially with those two kids looking for guidance along the way.

15- COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

RYAN JOHANSEN-BRANDON DUBINSKY-ARTEM ANISIMOV-MARK LETESTU

That breakthrough season (33-30-63) was nice, but more will be expected of Johansen in 2014-15. His physical tools and supporting cast should help him approach a point-per-game. The Jackets were a top-10 face-off team with this current group, so possession won't be an issue. Dubinsky, Anisimov and Letestu combined for a solid 50 goals and 123 points. Not bad, but there's room for improvement.

28 more teams...

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Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

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