It’s not pretty if you’re a team looking for top-six center and were hoping you could sign one in free agency.
Utah Mammoth’s Nick Schmaltz has been playing some center this year after primarily being used as a winger. He’s been producing at close to a point a game this season. It’s likely either retirement or another season with the Pittsburgh Penguins for Evgeni Malkin.
Charlie Coyle will likely be the top-rated, true centerman available when free agency opens. It’s also possible that the Columbus Blue Jackets try to re-sign him, along with teammate Boone Jenner. Bobby McMann is listed as a center in the chart below, but he’s only been used on the wing. Kiefer Sherwood also plays the wing.
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/16x9%20single%20image%20-%202026-02-21T102613.146.webp?ssl=1 "5 key questions that need answering after the second 2026 pre-season test in Bahrain")
