News staff and wire services
Red Wings center Dylan Larkin was ranked 15th on the NHL Network’s Top 20 Centers Right Now countdown, highlighting the NHL’s top-performing centers.
Larkin, a three-time NHL All-Star, finished one spot ahead of the Ottawa Senators’ Tim Stutzle and one spot behind the New Jersey Devils’ Nico Hischier.
“The Red Wings’ captain is the ninth player in team history with four consecutive 30-goal seasons and the first to do it since Henrik Zetterberg from 2005-09,” the NHL Network said.
“Last season, Larkin played all 82 games for the second time, finishing with 40 assists and 70 points, and had a goal and an assist in four games at the 4 Nations Face-Off to help the United States reach the championship game, a 3-2 overtime loss to Canada.”
Analysts Jamison Coyle, Brian Boyle and Mike Rupp counted down the best centers based on player performance over the past several seasons, with an emphasis on last year and future upside. Here’s the top 20 list:
Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers Aleksander Barkov, Florida Panthers Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins  Jack Eichel, Vegas Golden Knights  Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs  Brayden Point, Tampa Bay Lightning Mark Scheifele, Winnipeg Jets Nick Suzuki, Montreal Canadiens  Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils  Robert Thomas, St. Louis Blues Sebastian Aho, Carolina Hurricanes  Nico Hischier, New Jersey Devils Dylan Larkin, Detroit Red Wings  Tim Stützle, Ottawa Senators Roope Hintz, Dallas Stars Tage Thompson, Buffalo Sabres Macklin Celebrini, San Jose Sharks Sam Bennett, Florida Panthers   Avs add depth with forward Olofsson
The Colorado Avalanche added depth at forward Wednesday by signing Victor Olofsson to a one-year deal.
The 30-year-old Olofsson spent last season with the Vegas Golden Knights, where he had 15 goals and 14 assists over 56 games. He turned in the longest road point streak in Golden Knights history when he notched at least a point in 10 straight games from Dec. 4 to Jan. 23.
Olofsson got his first taste of the Stanley Cup playoffs last season, scoring two goals as the team reached the second round.
A seventh-round pick by Buffalo in 2014, Olofsson has 105 goals and 106 assists in 370 games with the Sabres and Golden Knights. He reached two milestones last season — recording his 100th career assist on Jan. 17 and notching his 100th career goal the next night.
Predators sign first-rounder Martin
The Nashville Predators signed 2025 first-round pick Bray Martin to a three-year, entry-level contract on Wednesday.
Martin was selected fifth overall in June’s draft after a strong second season with the Soo Greyhounds.
The 18-year-old centre scored 33 goals with 72 points in 57 games with the OHL club and helped Canada win gold at the U18s with 11 points in seven games.
Martin, a native of Elmira, Ont. had 10 goals and 28 points in 52 games during his first season with the Greyhounds in 2023-24.
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