Colorado Avalanche: Argument about Whether Nathan MacKinnon is #2 or #3 Center

Colorado Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon is gaining so much attention pundits are arguing whether he’s #2 or #3 in the world as a centerman.

The Colorado Avalanche are starting to get some recognition, and a lot of that is because of our superstar center Nathan MacKinnon. He won the Calder Trophy his rookie year then receded into the background for three seasons. He wasn’t bad, but he was just mediocre.

Well, that changed two years ago. MacKinnon burst into the scene. He went from recording 53 points (16 goals, 37 assists) in 2016-17 to 97 points (39 goals, 59 assists) the next season. Even more impressive in my opinion is he pushed those career highs further this last season, recording 99 points (41 goals, 58 assists).

The young man is 23 years old. Also, he was robbed of the Hart Trophy after the 2017-18 season.

Since this last season, the buzz has been surrounding him that he’s not just a great NHL player, or even just an elite NHL player. The buzz has been that he’s one of the very best in the game — elite of the elite.

Well, recently NHL Network released their list of Top 20 NHL Centers. Well, look at what position MacKinnon takes:

Our Top 20 Centers are... #NHLTopPlayers pic.twitter.com/gNgTUyUqyk
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 5, 2019

NHL Network considers MacKinnon to be a top-3 NHL center. I agree.

If you scroll down the comments, you’ll see NHL fans have a lot to say in defense of their favorite players. In fact, as the social media team requested, some fans even compiled a list of their top 20 centers.

Among the most vociferous naysayers, though, were Chicago Blackhawks fans. (Yes, I’m sure you’re as shocked and amazed as I was to see that.) Seems their good ol’ boy, Jonathan Toews, had a career season of 81 points (35 goals, 46 assists). That’s pretty good. Not Nathan MacKinnon good, but pretty good.

Well, Jeremy Roenick doesn’t exactly fall in the category of “fan.” After a legendary career (and being the butt of one Patrick Roy’s most famous burns), he’s not a TV analyst for hockey on NBC Sports.

Anyway, Roenick compiled his own list of Top 20 Centers:

Here is my list of the Top 20 @NHL Centers right now! pic.twitter.com/1GHoYE7WMv
— Jeremy Roenick (@Jeremy_Roenick) August 6, 2019

I’m not going to dig too deeply into that one except to point out one important difference. Roenick flips MacKinnon and Sidney Crosby.

Well, Blackhawks fans make their appearance again, but they’re quickly overtaken by Pittsburgh Penguins fans who are aghast that MacKinnon might get ranked over Crosby. Absolutely aghast.

It gets even worse when Roenick shares his rationale for the ratings:

So much more goes into ratings players than just stats. A players presence alone means so much. McDavid and MacKinnon impact the game in so many different ways, and play at a level that is hard to match. That’s why they are my #1 and #2 centers right now. They are SUPERSTARS!
— Jeremy Roenick (@Jeremy_Roenick) August 7, 2019

Oh, yeah, Jeremy doesn’t have any Stanley Cup rings to plug his ears, so he hears the dissent. And he doubles down on MacKinnon over Crosby. Scroll through the comments, and you’ll see Pens fans are not having it.

Yes, I jumped in to defend my boy — that’s what hockey fandom is all about… when you’re a homer.

Speaking of being a homer, here’s my list for top 20 centers in the NHL:

More from Mile High Sticking

Nathan MacKinnon

Connor McDavid

Auston Matthews

Sidney Crosby (because he mentors MacKinnon)

Hey, I never claimed to be objective.

dark. Next. 5 Stunning MacK Goals

What do you think, Avs Nation? Has Nathan MacKinnon surpassed his mentor in the modern NHL? Or will he forever live in his neighbor’s shadow. Also, feel free to share your top 20 centers list.

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