Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
NHL Power Rankings: Number Two
Coming in at number two on our list of the best Eastern Conference centers is the incomparable Patrice Bergeron. The three-time Selke Trophy recipient is well known for his defensive prowess, but he is extremely good on offense as well. When the phrase “shutdown center” was created, it was made with Bergeron in mind as an ideal one.
Bergeron isn’t known for his offense, but he’s quite effective. His 2.11 even-strength points per 60 minutes over the past three NHL seasons ranks ninth among Eastern Conference centers. His 0.91 even-strength goals per 60 minutes rank seventh among Eastern Conference centers. If there’s a weakness in Bergeron’s game, it’s the power play. His 3.94 power play points per 60 minutes are 37th among the 76 Eastern Conference centers with at least 100 minutes over the past three seasons, which is still slightly above average.
Bergeron has by far the best possession stats of any NHL center. Here’s where he ranks among Eastern Conference centers over the past three seasons.
- First in even-strength HSCF% relative (10.13%)
- Fourth lowest rate of high-danger scoring chances against per 60 minutes (12.10)
- Second highest rate of high-danger scoring chances for per 60 minutes (19.81)
- First in even-strength SCF% relative (11.08%) and scoring chances for per 60 minutes (34.28)
- Second lowest scoring chances against per 60 minutes rate (21.47)
- First in even-strength CF% relative (8.89%)
- First in even-strength FenClose% relative (9.07%)
He’s also one of the best penalty killers in the NHL despite being heavily used while shorthanded. I’m not a huge fan of face-off win percentage, but Bergeron leads Eastern Conference centers in that as well. Patrice Bergeron deserves every bit of hype that he gets because he sets the bar extremely high for himself and still manages to consistently meet it. Bruins fans expect greatness out of Bergeron and he gives it to them about as consistently as any hockey player I’ve ever seen.
Next: #1