Ranking the top-8 centers in the Metro Division

There are two New Jersey Devils featured on this year's list. Where do they rank?

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Every summer I like to rank the best Metro Division players by position and see how the New Jersey Devils stack up in each grouping.

I started the series earlier this week by examining the best goaltenders the Metro has to offer.

Up next on the to-do list: centers. Let’s waste no time getting into it.

1. Jack Hughes (Last Year: 2)

There’s a new sheriff in town and his name is Jack Hughes. The 22-year-old has quickly developed into one of the best players in the league. Not among centers. Not among Metro Division players. Not among those in his age group. One of the best players. Period.

He flirted with 100 points last year, leading all Metro Division players in scoring and Goals Above Replacement.

For perspective of No. 86’s dominance, Jack Hughes scored more 5v5 goals than Auston Matthews and recorded more 5v5 assists than Connor McDavid. He was that productive.

Hughes dominated the puck each and every time over the boards, facilitating anything and everything for his line.

He averaged a whopping 9.37 primary shot contributions per game at 5v5, with Jesper Bratt (7.27) being the only other Devils player to clear 7.0. He’s at a completely different level.

Hughes skates like the wind, has the silkiest of mittens, and has developed into a legitimately high-end finisher. The sky is the limit for him moving forward.

2. Sidney Crosby (LY: 1)

That Crosby, entering his 19th(!!!) season in the NHL, still has a case for best center – if not player – in the Metro Division speaks volumes to just how ridiculous the guy is.

In a sport getting dominated by those younger and faster, Crosby remains in the top level of the food chain.

The Penguins dealt with a plethora of injury issues, and depth issues, last year. Despite very underwhelming surroundings, Crosby still put up 93 points and finished only one behind Hughes at 5v5.

Crosby is an excellent play driver and one of the best in-zone weapons the league has to offer. His passing is incredible, he’s clinical working below the dots and behind the net, his puck control is top tier, and he has mastered so many little things (back hands, deflections, body position, etc.) that make him almost impossible to contain.

I honestly hope the Penguins are better next season – as appears to be the case on the surface – and can give Crosby even the smallest bit of belief that he can still acheive something great with his team.

He deserves it and, quite frankly, the playoffs aren’t the same without No. 87 taking part.