Top 23-and-under centers in NHL in 3 seasons ranked

NHL Network began a nine-part series on Sunday looking at the best players in the League right now. The first installment ranked the top 20 centers. To add to that conversation, we asked 10 NHL.com writers to rank the 23-and-under centers they think will be the best in the NHL in three seasons, with each voter awarding 10 points to the player ranked No. 1, nine for No. 2, and so on.

Young, elite centers are flooding into the NHL each season, adding to a crop of already established players at an exciting position that takes center stage in driving offensive play.

But who are the most exciting of these up-and-coming centers?

NHL.com attempted to answer that question by looking at the crop of centers who have yet to turn 24 and trying to project how they will rank against each other in three seasons as they continue to mature.

Some, like Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils, were already among the top-20 centers in the NHL, regardless of age. Others, like Connor Bedard, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks, and Leo Carlsson, selected No. 2 in that draft by the Anaheim Ducks, have yet to put a NHL resume together.

Here is the NHL.com list of the 23-and-under centers who could be the best in the NHL in three seasons:

Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils (99 voting points): Entering his fifth season, Hughes is no longer a good center. The 22-year-old is an elite center, regardless of age. On a solid trajectory since being selected No. 1 in the 2019 NHL Draft, Hughes took off in 2022-23, scoring a Devils record 99 points (43 goals, 56 assists) in 78 games while leading them to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2012.

Video: CAR@NJD, Gm3: Hughes scores from below goal line, Chicago Blackhawks (82):Expectations are high for the 18-year-old, who is expected to be a generational player for the rebuilding Blackhawks. Bedard, who played for Regina of the Western Hockey League, had 143 points (71 goals, 72 assists) in 57 games and was named the WHL and Canadian Hockey Player of the Year. He played for Canada in the World Junior Championship and scored 23 points (nine goals, 14 assists) in seven games to help them win a gold medal. It appears to be a matter of when, not if, Bedard will be an elite center in the NHL.

Video: CAR@NJD, Gm3: Hughes scores from below goal line, Ottawa Senators (73):The 21-year-old, who also plays left wing, has gotten better in each of his three NHL seasons going from 29 points (12 goals, 17 assists) in 53 games as a rookie in 2020-21 to 58 points (22 goals, 36 assists) in 79 games in 2021-22 to 90 points (39 goals, 51 assists) in 78 games last season. One hundred points is on the radar for Stutzle and that will put him in even more elite company than he already is.

Matty Beniers, Seattle Kraken (70): The No. 2 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft had an immediate impact on the most recent team to join the League. Establishing himself as a No. 1 center, Beniers had 57 points (24 goals, 33 assists) in 80 games last season and won the Calder Trophy as the best rookie in the NHL. The 20-year-old also helped the Kraken advance to the second round of the playoffs in their second NHL season and upset the defending champion Colorado Avalanche in the first round.

Trevor Zegras, Anaheim Ducks (55):It didn't take long for Zegras to establish himself as a legitimate 20-goal threat. The 22-year-old scored 23 goals in each of the past two seasons while scoring an NHL career-high 65 points last season. Zegras could transition to the wing as Anaheim stocks its pipeline with more top-end centers, but is on a path to be an elite player at the position as well.

Dylan Cozens, Buffalo Sabres (42): The 22-year-old was one of the forwards that stepped up when Jack Eichel was traded by the Sabres to the Vegas Golden Knights on Nov. 5, 2021. Cozens had 18 points (five goals, 13 assists) in 51 games before the departure of Eichel. He has 101 points (43 goals, 58 assists) in the 150 games since. Those numbers should climb in each of the next two seasons as his ice time increases.

Wyatt Johnston, Dallas Stars (27):The 20-year-old was one of the surprises of the season, claiming a roster spot in training camp and never letting go. The first-round pick (No. 23) in 2021 scored 41 points (24 goals, 17 assists) in 82 games, tying for the rookie lead in goals with Beniers. Johnston added six points (four goals, two assists) to help the Stars reach the Western Conference Final.