The NHL Network unveiled its annual list of the Top 20 Centers heading into the 2025-26 season and veteran forward Brayden Point earned recognition as the league’s No. 8 center.
Point is coming off his third best season with the Bolts, putting up 42 goals and 40 assists for 82 points in 77 games. He finished the season with a +17 rating, the third-best of his career.
“We were talking about this in our production meeting, and I actually would have him a little bit higher on my list,” said NHL Network analyst Mile Rupp. “I think a big reason is you just know what you're getting. I know that motor is going. I know he's competing. I know he's going to look the same way in the regular season as he does in the playoffs.”
Per NHL Edge, the Lightning paced the league last season in high-danger production, leading all teams in both high-danger shots on goal by forwards (660) and high-danger goals by forwards (144). Brayden Point (28) and Jake Guentzel (26) finished first and second in the NHL in that category.
Point has been a member of the Lightning organization since being selected in the third round (79th overall) of the 2014 NHL Draft.