As a general rule of thumb, the most important (and often deepest) position in any format is center. Of the top-20 scorers in the NHL last season, nine played predominantly at center. There could have been even more centers at the top of the scoring list if it wasn’t for injuries.
DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: Fantasy Alarm’s 2017 Draft Guide
These days, a lot of coaches are asking centers to play deeper in their own zone. That hurts their fantasy value. However, the center remains the top playmaker on most NHL teams, so offense is usually generated down the middle of the ice. This year is no different.
Interchangeable as they may be, the world’s two best hockey players are pivots and likely will go 1-2 in your draft. By the end of Round 2, the names you see below will be long gone. It will be important to make a point of drafting these guys early so as you won’t have to scramble to fill the center position with scraps.
2017 RANKINGS:LEFT WINGS | RIGHT WINGS | DEFENSEMEN | GOALIES | TOP 200
We’ll update this list in response to injuries, trades and other transactions that could affect a player’s value before the season begins Oct. 4.
2017 Fantasy Hockey Draft Rankings: Center
For additional rankings, analysis, sleepers, draft strategies and much more, visit Fantasy Alarm’s NHL Draft Guide .
