Florida Panthers centers Sam Bennett and Aleksander Barkov featured in the NHL Network's top 20 centers ranking.
The 29-year-old Bennett appears in these rankings for the first time in his career, coming in at No.20. Bennett set a career-high in points with 51 and recorded his second-highest goal tally with 25. While Bennett's regular-season play was stellar, he took his game to an entirely new level in the playoffs.
Bennett was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the post-season's most valuable player, scoring 15 goals and 22 points in 23 games. He led the playoffs in goals and was a physical force throughout.
Bennett was set to become a UFA but agreed to an eight-year, $8 million contract before the beginning of free agency, ensuring his future in Florida.
"Bennett set NHL career highs in assists (26) and points (51) last season and had a career-best seven-game point streak (four goals, four assists) from Nov. 25 to Dec. 7. His 15 goals led the Stanley Cup Playoffs, helped the Panthers repeat as Stanley Cup champions and he won the Conn Smythe Trophy voted as most valuable player of the postseason," wrote the NHL Network.
Barkov has been a mainstay in these rankings for quite some time now and came in at No. 4 in this year's edition.
He's known as the best two-way forward in the NHL and has captained the Panthers to consecutive Stanley Cups. Barkov is blessed with the skill to pull off moves other players can't even think of, but the 29-year-old has simplified his game, and it's led to plenty of team success.
The only three centers to rank ahead of Barkov are Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid, Colorado Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon and Oilers' Leon Draisaitl.
"The Panthers captain became a two-time Stanley Cup champion when he helped Florida repeat in 2025 and was named to Team Finland's preliminary Olympic roster. Barkov is the second player in NHL history to win the Stanley Cup and Selke Trophy voted as best defensive forward during the same season multiple times, following Bob Gainey with the Canadiens in 1977-78 and 1978-79. He had two points (one goal, one assist) in three games at 4 Nations and 71 points (20 goals, 51 assists) in the regular season."
The Panthers have littered in the NHL Network's rankings with Sam Reinhart and Matthew Tkachuk on the wingers list and Gustav Forsling on the defenseman list. Sergei Bobrovsky will also likely feature on the goaltenders' list.
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