Tuesday's Center Value Rankings
Here are theScore's center value rankings for Tuesday, February 9:
Top Options
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Ryan Kesler (ANA) | at PHI | 10 |
| Evgeny Kuznetsov (WAS) | at NAS | 9 |
| Jonathan Toews (CHI) | vs. SJ | 9 |
| Matt Duchene (COL) | vs. VAN | 9 |
| Anze Kopitar (LA) | at BOS | 8 |
| Paul Stastny (STL) | vs. WPG | 8 |
| Artem Anisimov (CHI) | vs. SJ | 8 |
Kesler is playing some of his best hockey since leaving Vancouver, recording three goals, seven assists and 3.4 shots per game in his last 10 matches. With that kind of top-line production at a third-line salary, a multi-point outing against the Flyers would represent a huge return on investment.
Best of the Rest
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Claude Giroux (PHI) | vs. ANA | 7 |
| John Tavares (NYI) | at CLB | 7 |
| Nathan MacKinnon (COL) | vs. VAN | 7 |
| Boone Jenner (CLB) | vs. NYI | 7 |
| Vincent Trocheck (FLA) | at BUF | 7 |
| Sean Monahan (CGY) | vs. TOR | 7 |
| Nicklas Backstrom (WAS) | at NAS | 6 |
| Ryan Johansen (NAS) | vs. WAS | 6 |
| Tyler Seguin (DAL) | at MIN | 6 |
| Ryan Getzlaf (ANA) | at PHI | 6 |
Giroux has similar production as the previously-mentioned Kesler, but the Ducks' breakout netminder John Gibson has been a steady presence between the pipes. Given Giroux's significantly higher DFS salary, it would take a lot more for him to return value, though he could still break even.
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Steven Stamkos (TB) | at MTL | 5 |
| Connor McDavid (EDM) | at NJ | 5 |
| Aleksander Barkov (FLA) | at BUF | 5 |
| Adam Henrique (NJ) | vs. EDM | 5 |
| Mikko Koivu (MIN) | vs. DAL | 5 |
| Nazem Kadri (TOR) | at CGY | 4 |
| Tomas Plekanec (MTL) | vs. TB | 4 |
| Jack Eichel (BUF) | vs. FLA | 4 |
Stamkos has just one goal in his last 10 games. His passivity on offense (just 2.3 shots per game over his recent stretch) is translating to fewer scoring chances. He needs to shoot more to be worthy of his expensive salary.
Nothing to See Here
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Patrice Bergeron (BOS) | vs. LA | 3 |
| Joe Pavelski (SJ) | at CHI | 3 |
| David Krejci (BOS) | vs. LA | 3 |
| Leon Draisaitl (EDM) | at NJ | 3 |
| Joe Thornton (SJ) | at CHi | 2 |
| Bryan Little (WPG) | at STL | 2 |
| Mark Scheifele (WPG) | at STL | 2 |
| Henrik Sedin (VAN) | at COL | 2 |
With Sedin's low goal-frequency, recent slump and tough game in Colorado, he leads the pack of players you can live without.