The NHL is unbelievably deep down the middle.
There are a lot of talented centers sprinkled throughout the league, but only a few of them can call themselves elite. Whether it's their knack for scoring, winning face-offs or playing a great two-way game, the last few years have seen the emergence of some of the most prolific centers in the league.
Here is a look at the top five centers heading into the 2015-16 season, which begins on Oct. 7.
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Honorable Mentions: Tyler Seguin (Stars), Claude Giroux (Flyers) and Pavel Datsyuk (Red Wings)
5) Steven Stamkos, Lightning
Though the Tampa Bay stalwart may end up moving to wing, he truly thrives as one of the best centers in the league. Stamkos was second in the league with 43 points in 2014-15 and scored seven more in the playoffs as the Lightning made it to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since winning it all in 2004. Considering he suffered a broken leg last season, Stamkos looks better and faster than ever.
4) John Tavares, Islanders
The New York captain has almost single-handedly turned the franchise around. Tavares was durable last season, playing in all 82 regular-season games and all seven playoff contests for the Islanders. He finished second in the NHL and led all centers with 86 points, while setting a career-high with 38 goals. He also won face-offs at a 52.2% clip.
3) Ryan Getzlaf, Ducks
Not only does he show Mark Messier-type leadership on and off the ice, but the Anaheim center is a force when he's out there and one of the greatest centers in the league. Getzlaf had 70 points in the regular season last year and won 50.2% of his face-offs. The Canadian also paced the league with 18 assists in the playoffs as Anaheim reached the Western Conference Final.
2) Jonathan Toews, Blackhawks
This should really be regarded as 1A, because the Chicago captain is just that good as a two-way player. Toews, who won over 56% of his draws, excels at all facets of the game and is a difference-maker on the ice, as shown by him finishing fourth in the league with a plus-30 rating last season. Toews, who is good on the defensive side of things as well, was 28-38--66 in the regular season in 2014-15 and chipped in 21 points in 23 playoff games en route to his third Stanley Cup in six years.
1) Sidney Crosby, Penguins
Pittsburgh's captain still sets the bar as an elite center in this league, but Toews and Co. are right on his tail. Crosby finished third in the league last year in points (84) and assists (56, tied) while guiding the Penguins back to the playoffs. The former Hart Trophy winner also had 31 power play points in the regular season and then notched four points in five games in the playoffs.
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