NHL Network center rankings confirm the harsh reality facing the Rangers

The NHL Network's positional ranking series wrapped up on Sunday, the latest entry which focused on centers, and the top 20 list just reinforced one of the biggest points of contention amongst New York Rangers fans. Having elite centers are important, look no further than Mark Messier's impact on the Blueshirts in the 1990s, and the lack of New York representation speaks to the challenge Chris Drury faces.

NHL Network list featured established stars, proven veterans, and up and comers

I've been quite critical of the NHL Network's rankings up to this point, but for once, there's nothing I can really say about the Rangers being on the outside looking in. The Rangers don't have anyone that belongs in the top 10, and spots 11 through 20 feel pretty safe as well.

Dylan Larkin was the last man listed, a player who I felt would be an upgrade for the Rangers roster, so I can't get on a soapbox in support of Mika Zibanejad or J.T. Miller. In the case of Zibanejad, it is great that he had a season in which he returned to form. While it was an improvement over a disapointing 2024-25 campaign, in no way was it at the elite level Zibanejad has shown he's capable of playing at.

Miller had an impressive stretch of play in Vancouver, including a year in which he eclipsed 100 points, but his first "full season" back on Broadway was underwhelming after he suffered an injury in training camp. Both him and Zibanejad are on the wrong side of 30, and while there's still a chance for them to be productive, the Rangers would be better off acquiring a top line center to push both of them down the depth chart.

Rangers' best shot of landing top center includes two long shots

If the Rangers want to improve their odds of winning a Stanley Cup, landing a top-10 center would be an ideal place to start. Jack Hughes landed at No. 10 on the list, and he's a player the Rangers missed out on in the draft when they landed the No. 2 overall pick. Auston Matthews came in at No. 8 overall, and he's a player that could eventually test free agency, and you can bet on the Blueshirts preparing a Brinks truck if that ever comes to pass.

Jack Eichel was No. 6 on the list, and he's a player the Rangers have coveted for a long time. The Blueshirts unsuccessfuly tried to acquire Eichel when he was still a member of the Buffalo Sabres, and they also held out hope that he would test free agency. He inked a nice new contract in Vegas, and there went another dream.

The absolute pie in the sky name for the Rangers was ranked No. 1 overall, and that's Connor McDavid. The league's top center, and best player, signed an extension with the Oilers which includes the upcoming season and the year after. There's a lot that can be learned about the Rangers in the next 24 months, and if they show that they are capable of contending sooner than expected, maybe McDavid considered signing with them and follows in the footsteps of former Oilers greats Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky.

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