At this point in the NHL, ranking the top centers is like predicting the winner of an Olympic 100 meter final when Usain Bolt was in his prime: Everyone else is just scrambling for second place, at best.
Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid ranked first overall in ESPN's 2023 NHL positional ranking for centers, which was compiled through 20 surveys that represented those on the ice and behind the scenes. He topped our list in 2021 as well.
This is not a spoiler. This is reality. Other centers might be "in the conversation" for best in the NHL, but McDavid is the standard they're trying to achieve.