The NHL's Top 10 Centers Under 25

In my opinion, center is arguably the most important position on a hockey team.

An old hockey cliched saying is being strong down the middle wins you Stanley Cups.

Centers in hockey must occupy two wingers, try to win faceoffs, and, of course, score goals, among other things. They are the engine to a hockey team, so that is why I'm emphasizing this position as my first column in this area.

I first want to look at who I think are the 10 best centers in the game today under the age of 25.

Why age 25?

I look at the age of 25 as the beginning of a hockey player's prime.

It's a good indication of what teams are on the rise and what teams will be contenders when they have talented, young centers (especially more than one), so that's why I'm focusing on the youngsters here.

10. Paul Stastny (Colorado Avalanche)

Birthdate: Dec. 27, 1985
Age: 23
Birthplace: Quebec, Quebec
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 205 lbs.
Shoots: Left
Salary: $710,000
NHL Seasons: 2
Drafted by Colorado in 2005 (2/44)

Paul Stastny is the son of the great NHL legend, Peter Stastny.

Paul is a Canadian-American but only plays for Team USA in hockey.

The drafting of Paul Stastny is a bit of a mystery.

He played well for Denver college and pretty much had all the credentials to be at least a first round pick in many peoples eyes, except the scouts of course which said he had skating problems that would not adapt well to the NHL game.

That is the reason Paul fell to the middle of the second round.

Paul was quick to quiet those critics putting up 78 points in his rookie season in 2006-07, followed by 71 points the following season in only 66 games.

Paul was injured most of this season, but he will clearly be one of the elite centers in the game for many years to come.

Player report: Like his father Peter, Paul owns tremendous two-way and playmaking acumen. Is mature beyond his years and plays bigger than his 6-0 frame.

Career potential: First line playmaking center. Point per game player. Team USA Olympic hockey team first line Center.

Career Stats: GP 193, Goals 63, Assists 122, Points 185

9. Anze Kopitar (Los Angeles Kings)

Birthdate: Aug. 24, 1987
Age: 21
Birthplace: Jesenice, Yugoslavia
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 220 lbs.
Shoots: Left
Salary: $765,000
NHL Seasons: 2
Drafted by Los Angeles in 2005 (1/11)

Anze Kopitar is the first NHL player from the country of Slovenia in Europe.

I remember Kopitar's NHL debut like it was yesterday. Kings fans and hardcore hockey fans will probably know what I'm talking about because the first goal Kopitar scored in his NHL debut while making Chris Pronger look like a pylon was truly unforgettable.

Anze has not slowed down since that night and he has easily established himself as one of the best up and coming young centers in the game.

Player report: Owns the size all 30 NHL teams crave from the center position. Has terrific hands, improving skating ability and the potential for offensive greatness.

Career Potential: First line playmaking and goal scoring center. Point per game player or better depending on his linemates. Greatest Slovenian hockey player of all time.

Career stats: GP 236, Goals 79, Assists 125, Points 204

8. Jeff Carter (Philadelphia Flyers)

Birthdate: Jan. 1, 1985
Age: 24
Birthplace: London, Ontario
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 200 lbs.
Shoots: Right
Salary: $4,500,000
NHL Seasons: 3
Drafted by Philadelphia in 2003 (1/11)

Jeff Carter had his breakout season this year with a total of 46 goals scored, and better than a point per game average with 84 points in 82 games played which was the highest point total for a Flyer this year.

His previous highest goal total was 29, and points 53.

Last year at this time Carter would not have made this list, let alone No. 8 on it. That's how far and fast he has come, and I only expect him to get better. In other words, this season was not a fluke for him.

Player report: Has excellent offensive acumen and great size for the center position. Displays great skating ability and outstanding poise with the puck. Has a deceptive, yet lethal shot.

Career potential: First line goal scoring center. Forty-plus goal scorer and point per game or better player. Bottom six forward for Team Canada's Olympic team.

Career stats: GP 307, Goals 112, Assists 104, Points 216

7. Jonathan Toews (Chicago Blackhawks)

Birthdate: Apr. 29, 1988
Age: 21
Birthplace: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 203 lbs.
Shoots: Left
Salary: $850,000
NHL Seasons: 1
Drafted by Chicago in 2006 (1/3)

Jonathan Toews is the centerpiece and Captain to the hockey renaissance in the Windy City. He is currently the youngest captain in the NHL.

Jonathan really started to turn the heads during his play at the World Juniors in 2006.

He was drafted third overall, so he was not unknown, but Jordan Staal of the Pittsburgh Penguins was taken before him at the two spot. Can you imagine Crosby, Malkin and Toews as your three centers if the Penguins went with Toews over Staal?

Anyways, expect Jonathan to be one of the top-five overall centers in the entire NHL in a few years and many years after once he matures.

Player report: Has tremendous hockey sense and offensive creativity. Is very responsible in his own end. Throw in leadership ability and you get the total package.

Career potential: Franchise center who can do it all. 100 point potential. Team Canada's Olympic hockey captain. Hall of fame player.

Career stats: GP 146, Goals 58, Assists 65, Points 123

6. Nicklas Backstrom (Washington Capitals)

Birthdate: Nov. 23, 1987
Age: 21
Birthplace: Gavle, Sweden
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 210 lbs.
Shoots: Left
Salary: $850,000
NHL Seasons: 1
Drafted by Washington in 2006 (1/4)

Nicklas Backstrom is the best young Swede in the game right now.

Not many people doubt Backstrom's ability, but some do believe his stats are inflated from playing with the best winger in the game (Alex Ovechkin).

I'm not one of those guys who believes that. I think Backstrom's vision is top five in the game. He can work on his skating and goal scoring ability to help round his game out, but those assets will never be his strong points.

I think he can lead the NHL in assists one day.

Player report: Displays outstanding patience with the puck, is a true playmaker and has a knack for being in the right place at the right time. Is mature beyond his years.

Career potential: First line playmaking center as well as a power play specialist. Better than a point per game player. First line center for Team Sweden's Olympic team. Hall of fame player.

Career stats: GP 164, Goals 36, Assists 121, Points 157

5. Mike Richards (Philadelphia Flyers)

Birthdate: Feb. 11, 1985
Age: 24
Birthplace: Kenora, Ontario
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 195 lbs.
Shoots: Left
Salary: $5,400,000
NHL Seasons: 3
Drafted by Philadelphia in 2003 (1/24)

Mike Richards is one of my favorite players in the game today. He reminds me of one of those great old school hockey players.

You know the ones who will fight, kill a big penalty, score a goal, take a puck to the face, go get stitched up then come back and score the game winning goal?

Richards is a true warrior who also averages right around a point per game as well. What more can you ask for out of a player? Every GM would kill for a player like Richards to build around.

Player report: Plays a smart, two-way game and possesses outstanding offensive instincts and leadership qualities. Leads by example.

Career potential: Franchise center. Point per game player or better depending on linemates. Bottom six forward for Team Canada's Olympic hockey team, as well as a potential Captain.

Career Stats: GP 290, Goals 79, Assists 142, Points 221

4. Eric Staal (Carolina Hurricanes)

Birthdate: Oct. 29, 1984
Age: 24
Birthplace: Thunder Bay, Ontario
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 205 lbs.
Shoots: Left
Salary: $5,000,000
NHL Seasons: 4
Drafted by Carolina in 2003 (1/2)

When I think of Stanley Cup playoff performers, one of the first players that comes to mind is Eric Staal. Nothing is more valuable than a player who performs well in the playoffs, in my opinion.

When you have the resume of Staal, who has already won a Stanley Cup and averages better than a point per game in the playoffs at such a young age, you are already well established, and the sky is the limit for you.

Oh, and he's not a bad regular season player, either.

Player report: Owns a big-time shot and the awareness of a natural goal-scorer. Has great size to fend off blueliners. Plays a complete game and is good on face-offs.

Career potential: Franchise center who does it all. Forty-plus goal scorer, better than a point per game player. Top 6 forward for Team Canada's Olympic team. Hall of fame player.

Career stats: GP 409, Goals 164, Assists 194, Points 358

3. Ryan Getzlaf (Anaheim Ducks)

Birthdate: May 10, 1985
Age: 24
Birthplace: Regina, Saskatchewan
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 221 lbs.
Shoots: Right
Salary: $4,500,000
NHL Seasons: 3
Drafted by Anaheim in 2003 (1/19)

Getzlaf is a lot like Eric Staal because of the facts that he shows up in the playoffs and has already won a Stanley Cup at an early age.

Getzlaf can be one of the most entertaining and annoying players to watch, though. What I mean by annoying is he is so big and dominant but plays lackadaisical at times. It's almost like he lets up.

For Getzlaf being around a career point per game player with all his size and skill just shows how talented he really is. But how good would he be if he played with the drive of an Ovechkin or Crosby?

He'd probably be the second coming of Eric Lindros (minus the injuries), and maybe even the best in the NHL.

Player report: Is not afraid to play a physical brand of hockey. His offensive acumen is among the best in the NHL. Plays a well-rounded game. A great dangler for a big man.

Career potential: Franchise center. 100 point potential. Top 3 forward for Team Canada's Olympic hockey team. Hall of fame player.

Career stats: GP 297, Goals 88, Assists 182, Points 270

2. Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh Penguins)

Birthdate: July 31, 1986
Age: 22
Birthplace: Magnitogorsk, USSR
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 195 lbs.
Shoots: Left
Salary: $984,200
NHL Seasons: 2
Drafted by Pittsburgh in 2004 (1/2)

Evgeni Malkin is arguably the most talented all around player in the NHL today, and one of the most talented centers/players the game has seen since the departure of the Great One Wayne Gretzky in the late '90s.

Malkin reminds me a lot of Jaromir Jagr, only with more explosiveness. This kid is going to be virtually unstoppable once he hits his prime (not that he's not pretty much in it now).

Players like Evgeni Malkin only come around once every generation, so enjoy him while you can.

Player report: Has the ability to keep the puck on a string and sift through defenders. Plays an all-around game. Is a monster talent that can score as well as set them up.

Career potential: Franchise center. 100-plus point player. Team Russia Olympic hockey first-line center. 600-plus goal scorer. Top three point scorers of all time. Sure-shot Hall of Famer.

Career stats: GP 242, Goals 115, Assists 189, Points 304

1. Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins)

Birthdate: Aug. 7, 1987
Age: 21
Birthplace: Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 200 lbs.
Shoots: Left
Salary: $9,000,000
NHL Seasons: 3
Drafted by Pittsburgh in 2005 (1/1)

There is no doubt the top two centers in the entire game today are Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

I chose Sid over Malkin because Sid can do pretty much everything Malkin can, but Sid does more of the little things better, like winning faceoffs and and playing in high traffic areas.

I also think Sidney is proving to be a better playoff performer. Both are still so young so it's hard to tell how things will turn out in a few years, but I'm putting my money on Sid right now, and in the future.

Player report: Sees the ice and anticipates the play exceptionally well. Can blow by defenders with electric quickness. Possesses a strong lower body and is an awesome passer.

Career potential: Franchise center. Top-three forward for Team Canada's Olympic hockey team. 600-plus goal scorer. Top three points scorer of all time. Sure-shot Hall of Famer.

Career stats: GP 290, Goals 132, Assists 265, Points 397