The NHL is one of the most exciting professional sports’ leagues out there. The physicality, fighting and scoring is unmatched. Indeed, the center is one of the most important positions in hockey, as they drive a line both offensively and defensively. This article ranks 10 of the best NHL centers of all-time.

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Wayne Gretzky

Wayne Gretzky is a household name, and it isn’t hard to see why. He entered the Hall Of Fame in 1999 and holds many records as a professional hockey player in the NHL.

The four-time Stanley Cup winner has the most career goals in the NHL and was an asset to any professional team that he was a part of. Gretzky is arguably the most popular for his time with the Edmonton Oilers.

Mario Lemieux

Next is a high-achieving player who did not let illness stop him from achieving huge things in the NHL. Mario Lemieux entered the Hall Of Fame in 1997 and still has the second-highest points per game in the NHL.

He purchased the Pittsburgh Penguins — the team that he broke records with — in 1999 and brought the club out of bankruptcy.

Mark Messier

Another high-achieving NHL center is Mark Messier. With a total of 1887 points during his NHL career, Messier entered the Hall Of Fame in 2007. He is the third-leading scorer and captained two NHL teams that won Stanley Cups. 

Not only that, but Messier won the Hart Trophy twice, and is second in NHL postseason points.

Sidney Crosby

One of the more recent NHL players to become one of the best centers of all-time is Sidney Crosby.

Crosby has demonstrated insane athletic ability, and many believe that he is the Gretzky of this generation. The Penguins’ captain has won the Stanley Cup three times — not to mention, he has won two Olympic Gold medals, too.

Steve Yzerman

A Detroit Red Wings’ icon, Steve Yzerman holds the NHL record as the longest-serving captain of a single team – he was captain of the Red Wings for 19 seasons and 1,303 games.

He was inducted into the Hall Of Fame in 2009, and led the Red Wings to three Stanley Cup victories. Yzerman is 11th in NHL playoff points, and has also won the Conn Smythe Trophy. 

Phil Esposito

At the time of his retirement, Phil Esposito was second in points and goals. Having played for multiple teams during his career, Esposito led the league in goals for six years.

He led the Boston Bruins to two Stanley Cup wins, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest centers in NHL history. Esposito entered the Hall Of Fame in 1984. 

Joe Sakic

This high-achieving center is a huge part of the history of the Colorado Avalanche and Quebec Nordiques. Joe Sakic entered the Hall Of Fame in 2012, and has won the Stanley Cup twice.

He currently serves as Executive Vice President, General Manager and Alternate Governor of the Avalanche.

Bryan Trottier

How can this list not include a member of the New York Islanders’ dynasty?

With a total of four Stanley Cup wins, Bryan Trottier entered the Hall Of Fame in 1997 for his efforts as a center for the Islanders. The star earned Rookie Of The Year honors, and played 18 NHL seasons.

Marcel Dionne

Marcel Dionne currently leads the Los Angeles Kings with 1,307 points in 927 games. The center for the Red Wings, Kings and New York Rangers didn’t win any Stanley Cups during his career, but he entered the Hall Of Fame in 1992. Having played for 18 seasons in the NHL, Dionne was nicknamed “Little Beaver” for his small stature by teammates. 

Ron Francis

Finally, Ron Francis entered the Hall Of Fame in 2007, and is second all-time in assists. Francis had two Stanley Cup wins as a center for the Penguins, and won the Selke Trophy — given to the top defensive forward in the NHL — in the 1994-95 season.

Summary

The NHL has had many talented players in its history. A lot of them have played center.

From Gretzky to Lemieux to Trottier, there have been many icons — making this list very difficult to put together. However, these 10 players deserve to be mentioned for their contributions to the sport.

John Smark