Mark Humphrey/Associated Press
The 2020 NHL free-agent class at center is not as robust as it was at the start of the season.
Nicklas Backstrom was taken off the market after he signed a contract extension with the Washington Capitals and Jean-Gabriel Pageau inked a long-term deal with the New York Islanders after a trade with the Ottawa Senators.
That leaves Mikael Granlund, Alex Galchenyuk and others at the top of the best available centers list going into the offseason.
They will not be at the top of the majority of most-wanted free-agent lists due to the collection of wingers available, but Granlund and others will still hold value to teams looking to fill a need in the middle of the ice.