Our first line center

Team: 2022-23 Buffalo Sabres

Initial Creation Date: Mar. 29, 2022

Published: Mar. 29, 2022

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

I bet you thought I was going to make a trade with Vancouver for a center.

Still need a better GK and to add about $7,000,000 to reach the cap floor.
IMO Miller could sign with Buffalo, unlikely Karmanos could convince any better RHD to sign here.

What makes some one an NHL center?
I would think if a center is ranked among the top 32 in that position, he would be a first line player.
So let's look at center scoring this morning March 29, 2022

Team.......player.............YTD goals
EDM........Draisaitl............48
................McDavid............36
TML.........Mathews...........48
NSH.........Duchene...........34
CGY.........Lindholm..........34
NYI............Nelson.............31
TBL............Stamkos.........29
CAR...........Aho.................29
BUF...........THOMPSON..28

Team.......player.............YTD points
EDM........McDavid.........98
.................Draisaitl.........96
TML..........Mathews.......83
.................Tavares.........61
COL..........Kadri..............81
..................MacKinnen...70
VAN...........Miller............80
TBL...........Stamkos......70
PIT..............Crosby........69
NYR............Zibanejad...68
CGY.............Lindholm...68
NSH..............Duchene...67
DAL..............Pevalski.....66
......................Hintz..........55
WSH..............Kuznetsov.65
FLA................Barkov.......64
WPG..............Scheifele...62
DET................Larrkin......62
STL.................Kyrou........62
.......................Thomas.....52
TML................Tavares.....61
LAK.................Kopitar.....57
SJS...................Hertl.........54
NJD..................Hughes....54
VGK..................Marchessault..53
..........................Stephenson....51
BUF..................THOMPSON......51
Only 7 teams have a center who has scored more goals than Tage
Only 20 teams have a center who scored more points than Tage.

What criteria do you use to determine who is a top center?
Based on goals and points, it appears Buffalo has a top center.