Quoting: Ledge_And_Dairy
This really tells me how little youve actually watched him play. Calling him a 2C implies there are at least 32 centers that are better than him and that is certainly not true.
Centers that are better than Lindholm: McDavid, MacKinnon, Matthews, Barkov, Draisaitl, Hughes, Crosby, Eichel, Point, Pettersson, Aho, and Zibanejad. Centers around the same Caliber to Lindholm, Malkin, Hintz, Miller, Barzal, and Thomas.
Every single one of those players named is without a doubt a 1st line center caliber player. Some are vetter than others but that does not make the other any less 1st line centers
We have a different opinion of what a number one center is. A number one center drives play night in and night out and makes an impact. Malkin was. Now he’s inconsistent and plays a selfish game. Thomas had one good year and was pretty bad last year — definitely not a 1C. Barzal, likes to skate around the perimeter, but does not have the ability to take the puck to the net consistently — probably a low end 1C. Miller, congrats on having a great shot, but he does not drive play consistently and is uninterested in playing defence — definitely not a 1C. Hintz, is emerging as a bonafide 1C and was one in the playoffs.. Nobody will argue about the others on the top of the list.
Tage Thompson has had 2 fantastic years and looked every bit a number 1 center this year — drove play consistently and was a threat most times he was on the ice. Stutzle and his play plus a 90 point season indicate he has arrived. Stamkos was,, but inconsistencies in his game and a more permanent move to the wing leave that in doubt — that said he is head and shoulder above Lindholm offensively. I would say Hischier is borderline. Tavares was, but has slowed and is probably more of a 2C at this point — still superior to Lindholm offensively. RNH is also a better offensive player. Dylan Larkin deserves consideration — he drives play and is a threat while playing with lesser players. Kopitar is an elite 2-way center that has slowed and is probably borderline at this point. Bo Horvat is not a 1C IMO. PLD and Scheifele are not — they struggle against top teams and top centers in the match up game. I’d keep an eye on Berniers, Joel Erikson EK, and Dylan Cozens over the next couple years — they are on the cusp but not quite there yet. Kuznetsov has the talent, but it depends on the year and whether he wants to play.
There might be 20 true number 1 centers in the league right now — some teams just don’t have one — just because you are getting 1C icetime does not make you one. This goes for #1 Dmen — there aren’t 32 of them in the league — unless you want to pretend by your definition that Arizona has a #1 Dman.