NHL Network’s recent ranking of the league’s top centers did not come without its share of controversy. The list placed Colorado Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon in second place yet again, behind Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid.
The ranking isn’t particularly surprising. MacKinnon has seemingly played second fiddle to McDavid throughout his career.
But that’s just the thing. NHL Network missed the entire point of its ranking. It’s not that McDavid is a bad player. He’s among the best on the planet. But it’s that MacKinnon has consistently proven that he can carry the Avalanche when the team needs him the most.
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Yes, McDavid carried the Oilers to back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances. But MacKinnon has actually gone all the way.
Critics will argue that the ranking isn’t about track record or legacy. It’s about who’s the best right now. That’s a fair point. And MacKinnon is the best on a team loaded with talent. He’s the type of player who just makes everyone around him that much better.
Sure, McDavid has elevated other players. But his influence hasn’t been nearly as profound as MacKinnon’s, both on his team and in the league.
Nathan MacKinnon is a force of nature
Nathan MacKinnon is the sort of player who doesn’t just dominate. He bulldozes his way through opponents. In the past, we’ve seen tough defensive teams shut down McDavid. The Florida Panthers did it twice. While McDavid almost single-handedly got the Oilers a Stanley Cup in 2024, the Panthers figured him out completely in 2025.
That’s not something opponents can say about MacKinnon. Trying to stake MacKinnon down is like trying to stop a speeding semi. The chances of being utterly run over are about the same as burning up in the atmosphere upon re-entry.
The main argument for placing MacKinnon second is that he doesn’t quite put up the same numbers that McDavid does. If that’s the rationale, it’s a flimsy one. The Avalanche star took home his first Rocket Richard Trophy last season. He hit the 100-point-plus mark again last season.
For MacKinnon, hitting 100 points isn’t a question. It’s how many more he’ll hit after that.
This season should provide MacKinnon with a great opportunity to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that he’s the best center in the world.
Perhaps another Stanley Cup championship will help everyone, especially those at NHL Network, see that there is really no comparison between McDavid and MacKinnon. The duo plays on an entirely different level. But even there, MacKinnon is in a class all by himself.
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