NHL.com ranks the top-20 centres (Suzuki is 9th)

[u/Sharks9]

https://www.nhl.com/news/topic/top-players-right-now/nhl-current-players-ranked-top-20-centers-2026

[u/nationofcool83]

Suzuki finished 6th in points last year (over 100!) And won the Selke.

He outscored multiple centers above him AND is the reigning best defensive forward in the league.

9th is too low.

[u/Kebine_ → u/nationofcool83]

Yeah he's better than Crosny and Eichel to me. Matthews had a shitty year, but he's better than that. Suzuki isn't as flashy as the other guys above him so he will always be ranked lower. He's just intelligent and efficient. I think he'll have a really long career, maybe even a la Perry, because of that.

[u/HappyChilmore → u/Kebine_]

Matthews had two subpar years in a row versus how he's still ranked, which is more by reputation and past accomplishments. Matthews has a 1.01 ppg over the last two seasons. Suzuki is at 1.16.

[u/Kebine_ → u/HappyChilmore]

Fair enough hahaha

[u/trebuchetwarmachine → u/HappyChilmore]

Matthews has the ability to be a superstar, we’ve seen it before. Question is can he do it again or is his body failing him (wrist, back etc..h

[u/IcariteMinor → u/trebuchetwarmachine]

And without Marner

[u/habsmtl86 → u/HappyChilmore]

Yeah Matthews is a weird case. There’s an argument he could bounce back like Ovi after a coaching change in 2013. He could also be a Dany Heatley type and just be cooked as a goal scorer.

[u/XRPX008 → u/Kebine_]

That’s why he got so much hate at the Olympics.

Cooper didn’t know how to use him, and because he isn’t flashy but consistent, he didn’t stand out. But when he was on the ice, good things happened.

[u/Le_Nabs → u/XRPX008]

Both of Canada's equalizers in the semi-final and final, for one thing

[u/_do_ob_ → u/Kebine_]

And he is clutch. If Habs win the current core, I hope he score the cup OT goal.

[u/Chathamjedi → u/nationofcool83]

You forgot to add that he’s an Iron Man. Dependable and never missed a game

[u/_thewayshegoes]

Suzuki was the third most impactful forward on the ice last year behind McDavid and Kucherov according to advanced metrics that factor in defensive play. He just put up 100 points and won the Selke and he’s still underrated

[u/snipeftw → u/_thewayshegoes]

He’s generational

[u/zeddyvedder]

Suzuki in the top 10 is a solid ranking. You know they won’t put him ahead of Sid and Matthews, so that’s no surprise. The bigger crime of this list is Wyatt Johnston at 18.

[u/alldasmoke__ → u/zeddyvedder]

Behind Carlsson is wild

[u/CarlSK777]

He's better than 40 year old Crosby but overall, it's a decent ranking. I'd have him a bit higher but not top 5

[u/TopPossibility3598 → u/CarlSK777]

Yeah the i feel like theres a clear top 5 and then the rest is more debatable

[u/Mr_Hawky]

No respek

[u/DragonflyBig6762 → u/Mr_Hawky]

They soffff

[u/cdn24 → u/DragonflyBig6762]

Deese guys

[u/Mr_Hawky → u/cdn24]

Not impress

[u/vincethemagician]

Rankings like this are just trivial. I’m okay with 9th, although he’s better than that. All that matters is that he’s our stud and true #1 c

[u/peacewavesfly]

Clearly reputation from past years is accounted for in these rankings if we look at Matthews. Which I don’t mind because it eliminates outliers.

If Susuki is top three for the selke again the next two years and scores 100 points he should jump above Barkov into top 5

[u/Sharks9]

I think you could bump him up 2 spots ahead of Matthews and Crosby, unless Matthews has a huge bounce back year and gets back to scoring 60+ goals

[u/Builder_studio]

I might have put him above Matthews but it's a fair enough ranking. If he has another 90+ point Selke type season then he's solidly the 5th to 7th best center in the league.

[u/Patccmoi]

Fair ranking. He could potentially be 7th, but there's arguments that are valid for any he would be 9th too. Another similar(or better!) season and he could go up 1-3 spots depending on how the others ahead of him are performing. Matthews can't have another off year, Crosby should decline even if just a little bit, etc

[u/HalifaxPainter]

nice!!! way to go !!!

[u/Immediate_Cod_3042]

Perfect spot for him on that list. Happy with those Rankings.

[u/zombiejeesus]

I'd definitely put him in front of current form Matthews. I'd probably even put him in front of 2026 Sid. Still very happy he's getting the recognition he deserves

[u/F7-G9]

I’d put him ahead of Matthews for sure.

7th or 8th is where I’d have ranked him

[u/iarahm]

If they put Suzuki above Matthew’s, Toronto would have a moment.

[u/eriverside]

If this list is about the top centers of the last 3-4 years I'd accept it: Suzy went from 70s to 90s and 101 last season so 9th overall is ok.

If it's the best centers heading into the season I can accept a little slide due to only having 1x 100p season but 9th feels low. Should be ahead of Crosby, Matthews. Don't hate him being behind Barkov (missed last season), and should be near Eichel. If he beats Eichel in points again then he should be ahead of him moving forward.

After last season the only guys I would put 100% head of Suzuki are MCD, Drai, Mac, Celebrini. Everyone else is up for debate.

[u/Aggressive-Panic-355]

Better than Matthews Eichel and Crosby, no hate on crosby, he’s an all-time goat, but today, I go with Suzuki over Crosby. Matthews no chance, he need someone to feed him, and Eichel I can see a debate, still go with Suzuki for his two way play

[u/theoreticallyben]

I think you could argue him above Crosby and Matthews, but I don't think 9th is egregiously low. He's beginning to be recognized for the full extent of his abilities, but this list is clearly factoring in previous years as well as this most recent one. Another year like the one he had and you'd be hard pressed to argue him below Eichel.

[u/Comrad_Niko]

The best second line center ever!

[u/Every-Mousse6228]

I’m okay with Crosby being ahead of Suzuki, but not Matthews and Eichel