The NHL Network recently unveiled its list of the top 20 centers in hockey, and the numbers alone are staggering. Collectively, the players on the list account for 12 Stanley Cups, five Conn Smythe Trophies, 10 Ted Lindsay Awards, eight Hart Trophies, multiple Art Ross and Maurice Richard Trophies, and three Selke Trophies. It’s a showcase of elite talent, the kind of résumé that reflects the modern dominance of players like Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, and Auston Matthews.
But missing, once again, are the New York Islanders.
For a franchise that prides itself on center depth, the omission stings.