"Drai better than AM but sure": Hockey fans divided as Connor McDavid tops NHL Network's Top 20 centers ranking

The release of NHL Network's "Top 20 Centers Right Now" list has sparked debate among hockey fans online. At the top of the list is Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers, followed by Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche at #2, Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs at #3 and Oilers' Leon Draisaitl at #4.

See the full list below.

One fan tweeted:

"Drai better than AM but sure", arguing that Draisaitl deserves the #3 spot over Matthews.

Another fan points out:

"Barkov shut down Connor McDavid and Draisatl in the SC, when stakes were the highest, he’s easily 2 or 3 behind McDavid and McKinnon."

Other fans joined in to express their opinion:

"Barkov realistically should be 3, if not higher, outplayed Draisaitl when it mattered and Am34 is a regular season player." one fan wrote on X.

"Swap Barkov with Matthews. Yes AM can score but it's not even close when it comes to a complete game." another fan wrote.

"This list is way off for what I would pick with so many players out of place. Love Bedard but no way is he 13th already. Barkov just won the cup and Selke he may have something to say to the 4 guys in front of him. Suzuki is too high. Thomas and Stutzle too low." a user commented.

"One thing that I notice here is that there are too many fan boys that can't be unbiased. I think it's a pretty good list if I'm being honest." another user wrote.

NHL analyst Derek Van Diest believes Connor McDavid to become highest-paid player in NHL history

Derek Van Diest believes Connor McDavid is on track to become the highest-paid player in NHL history with his next contract.

According to Van Diest:

“Conor McDavid is going to be the highest-paid player in hockey history in the next contract. I think he’s a guy that deserves it. He’s a guy that’s proven he’s a superstar." Van Diest said early this month to the NHL Network.

Van Diest also points out that the Oilers also need to be smart about structuring contracts to field a competitive team around their superstar captain and fellow star, Leon Draisaitl.

"I think the domino will fall with, where they sign Draisaitl. Because you can’t just pay those two guys an exorbitant amount of money and not put a team around them," Van Diest explained.

He thinks that Connor McDavid would be more likely to agree to a long-term contract if Draisaitl also decides to remain in Edmonton.