This Lightning star has been named one of the NHL's top centers.
The NHL Network has revealed its Top 20 NHL Centers Right Now list for the 2026-27 season, and a Tampa Bay Lightning star has made the cut: Brayden Point.
Point was given the No. 17 spot by the NHL Network this year. This comes after he was ranked as the NHL's eighth-best center by the NHL Network for last year's rankings.
Point dropping nine spots in the NHL Network's center rankings comes after he had a down year for his standards in 2025-26. In 63 games last season for the Bolts, he posted 18 goals, 32 assists, and 50 points. This was the first time he produced under a point per game since the 2021-22 season.
Yet, when looking at Point's resume, there is clear reason to believe that he can have a bounce-back year for the Lightning in 2026-27. From 2022-23 to 2024-25, he recorded at least 42 goals and 82 points in each season.
Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see what kind of season Point has in 2026-27 from here. If he bounces back, don't be surprised if he is given a higher ranking next year by the NHL Network.
