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Even if they are entering their twilight years, both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are still considered very elite players, at least according to a recent NHL Network countdown.
Sidney Crosby came in at four while Evgeni Malkin ranked eighth on NHL Network’s countdown, Top 20 Centers Right Now.
Just like Kris Letang’s recent ranking, this list was created based on player performance from the 2019-20 season and the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs.
The full list is below:
- Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
- Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche
- Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers
- Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
- Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs
- Jack Eichel, Buffalo Sabres
- Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins
- Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins
- Brayden Point, Tampa Bay Lightning
- Mika Zibanejad, New York Rangers
- Aleksander Barkov, Florida Panthers
- Mark Scheifele, Winnipeg Jets
- Sebastian Aho, Carolina Hurricanes
- John Tavares, Toronto Maple Leafs
- Ryan O’Reilly, St. Louis Blues
- Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks
- Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning
- Sean Couturier, Philadelphia Flyers
- Mathew Barzal, New York Islanders
- Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings
These player rankings will culminate with NHL Network’s five-part series, Top 50 Players Right Now, beginning on Sunday, December 6 at 6:00 p.m. ET.
While the Penguins have notoriously flamed out in the postseason over the last few years, Crosby and Malkin’s talent still remains. And as long as both players remain heathy, the Penguins will always have a chance at competing for more silverware.