VGK’s Center Strength Earns Top Tier Ranking

There’s no secret that the Golden Knights are blessed with center depth. It’s unquestionably their deepest position. This week, TSN ranked Vegas with six other clubs in the top echelon of center units. The other half dozen teams shouldn’t surprise anyone.

Each organization in Tier 1 are legitimate Stanley Cup contenders, with four of them winning championships in the last five seasons. Each team in the top tier is blessed with a superstar center, Sasha Barkov, Leon Draisaitl, Jack Eichel, Nathan MacKinnon, Auston Matthews, Connor McDavid and Brayden Point.

As Vegas fans are aware it doesn’t just end with Eichel. Since 2017, William Karlsson has more than proven his two-way center impact, and Tomas Hertl is slated as one of the best third-line centers in the NHL. Even the added depth of Brett Howden and Colton Sissons contributes to TSN’s high rating for VGK.

The Golden Knights finished fifth in league scoring last year and the biggest reason why was the playmaking ability of Jack Eichel. Eichel has become one of the league’s deadliest players with the puck on his stick and his 66-assists last year were sixth best in the NHL. One of the five players ahead of him? That would be new teammate and likely linemate Marner (75). –Travis Yost on TSN.ca

While Eichel might steal the national headlines, Vegas fans appreciate the effort from all of the Golden Knights middlemen.

Top-tier centers are hard to come by, but they can truly elevate teams into the elite class. Vegas’ defensive corps was listed in Tier 2 for all defensive units across the league. While only a notch below, it’s important for Vegas to have a nice, balanced lineup. Like they have drawn up for the 2025-26 campaign. Now, if VGK’s centers take more shots on net this season, TSN will have to create an even higher tier.