
Fantasy Hockey’s Top 10 Centers for the 2026-27 NHL Season
The Hockey News ranks the decade‑long elite centers poised to dominate fantasy hockey in 2026‑27, highlighting scoring trends, efficiency and emerging talent.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Connor Bedard across Hockey.

The Hockey News ranks the decade‑long elite centers poised to dominate fantasy hockey in 2026‑27, highlighting scoring trends, efficiency and emerging talent.

Cale Makar’s eight-year, $163.2 million contract extension makes him the first NHL player to exceed a $20 million annual average value, signaling a new era for the Colorado Avalanche and the league.

A mix of promising talent and key injuries leaves the Chicago Blackhawks with modest playoff hopes and widely varying odds.

The Seattle Kraken’s lack of a top‑tier center emerges as a recurring theme in recent NHL analyses, with playoff outcomes and contract values shedding light on the team’s strategic challenges.

A five‑year, $90 million offer sheet signed by Leo Carlsson has triggered a wave of record‑breaking extensions across the league, prompting the Ducks to protect their rising star and reshaping the salary‑cap calculus for young talent.

The San Jose Sharks could make the playoffs for the first time since 2019, while trade rumors swirl around Dylan Larkin, Connor Hellebuyck and other top names.

Macklin Celebrini’s 115-point season elevates him to third place in the NHL Network’s center rankings, trailing only Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon, while marking a generational shift in the league.

The Chicago Blackhawks have risen to fourth in the 2026 NHL Pipeline Rankings, driven by a surge of high‑end prospects led by Connor Bedard and a cadre of forward and defensive standouts.

The Boston Bruins are reshaping their hockey operations as Ben Smith returns to Boston College, Zach Werenski reaffirms his love for Columbus, and several teams navigate trade rumors, GM searches, and player comebacks.

The Chicago Blackhawks have released their full 2026‑27 schedule, announced ticket availability, and hinted at key player returns and trade activity across the league.

The Chicago Blackhawks are mapping out their forward lines for the upcoming season, with Connor Bedard set to return from shoulder surgery in November. His arrival will force coach Jeff Blashill to balance a crowded roster of young talent and seasoned veterans.

From record‑breaking rookies to a reinvigorated playing style, Canada's emerging talent seeks to turn promise into podium finishes.

Tanner Howe, a 2024 second‑round selection by the Pittsburgh Penguins, navigates the physical and mental challenges of professional hockey after a shoulder injury and torn ACL. His path through the AHL, international play, and personal development illustrates the resilience required to chase an NHL roster spot.

Projected as the top selection in the 2027 draft, Landon DuPont is preparing for the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and a collegiate debut at the University of Michigan

Projected as the top selection in the 2027 NHL Draft, Landon DuPont balances WHL dominance, Canadian national team participation, and a high‑profile college commitment.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have appointed strength coach Andy O’Brien to lead a newly created Sport Performance department, marking the latest move in a sweeping organizational reset under GM John Chayka.

The Fighting Irish blend seasoned veterans with elite newcomers, hoping to turn a disastrous previous campaign into a resurgence led by Connor Bedard and Patrick Kane.

The Chicago Blackhawks weigh a one‑year contract or a symbolic farewell for Jonathan Toews, a three‑time Stanley Cup champion whose recent health battles have left his future uncertain.

An analysis of the Chicago Blackhawks' salary cap position through 2026‑27 and beyond, highlighting key players and financial projections.

The league is considering a $3.5 billion expansion franchise that could land in Houston or Austin, with a $2 billion fee to be distributed to current clubs.

Macklin Celebrini’s historic contract with the San Jose Sharks, along with a broader trend of mid‑term deals, signals a strategic pivot in how NHL teams manage talent and salary cap space.
Seattle Kraken management is weighing a substantial offer for Adam Fantilli, a restricted free agent from the Columbus Blue Jackets, amid high salary demands and the price of multiple first‑round picks.

Patrick Kane’s potential homecoming raises questions about fit, durability, and the Blackhawks’ long‑term direction.

Matt and Ryan Keator revealed how they rejected an initial Anaheim proposal, explored the market, and helped Leo Carlsson sign a front‑loaded Flyers offer that reshaped the NHL’s contract landscape.