Fantasy face-off: Most valuable center for 2018-19

NHL.com compares elite centers Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin to see who is most valuable at the position in fantasy for 2018-19. See how these players compare in terms of scoring, category coverage, team security, lineup placement and other factors before viewing the @NHLFantasy Twitter poll results. For more fantasy coverage, visit NHL.com/Fantasy.

NOTE: Players are listed in order of rank in NHL.com's top 250.
Connor McDavid, EDM -- The Edmonton Oilers center had an NHL career-high 108 points (41 goals, 67 assists) despite significant team regression last season; they finished 17 points behind the final Stanley Cup Playoff spot in the Western Conference after reaching the second round of the 2017 postseason. McDavid finished plus-20 on the Oilers, who had a minus-33 goal differential, and led the NHL in points for the second straight season. Barring injury, the 21-year-old is a lock to finish among the top five NHL scorers this season and beyond. The Oilers had the NHL's worst power play last season (14.8 percent), meaning McDavid could have an even higher ceiling than his 20 power-play points in 2017-18 if they improve in that area. McDavid also lacked linemate consistency, playing mostly away from Leon Draisaitl and seeing a number of wings gain opportunity on the first line. It wasn't until later in the season when forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins emerged as his steady sidekick on the wing. With consistent linemates, an improved power play and overall team progression, McDavid is the obvious choice with the No. 1 pick in any fantasy draft.

Sidney Crosby, PIT -- The Pittsburgh Penguins center leads active NHL players in career points per game (1.29) and has finished among Yahoo's top 15 players in each of the past three seasons. Although McDavid has had back-to-back 100-point seasons, the Penguins are the far safer fantasy team. Injuries are no longer much of a concern surrounding Crosby, who has played at least 75 games in each of the past five regular seasons and has averaged better than a point per game in the span (451 points in 394 games lead NHL). Crosby, like McDavid, is not a player whose fantasy production hinges on elite linemates, but the Penguins captain could find greater stability as well if he plays on a line with breakout candidate and playoff standout Jake Guentzel and deep sleeper right wing Daniel Sprong. Crosby, who will turn 31 on Aug. 7, remains in the prime of his career and will provide fantasy owners with the week-to-week consistency in all categories that few others can, making him the safest option to be the No. 2 overall player selected in fantasy drafts.

Evgeni Malkin, PIT -- Malkin's career points-per-game average (1.19) is not far behind Crosby (1.29) and McDavid (1.22), and Malkin was the most valuable fantasy player last season based on production in standard fantasy categories. Malkin entered last season with an elite career track record but had major injury concerns after not playing 70 games in a regular season since 2011-12, when he won the Hart Trophy. Malkin finished among the top five in goals (42) and points (98) in 78 games last season and had the third best points-per-game average (1.26) behind McDavid (1.32) and Nathan MacKinnon (1.31). Malkin's 38 power-play points were tied with Crosby for third in the NHL, with frequent linemate Phil Kessel leading the League with 42. When healthy, Malkin at least deserves to be in the same conversation as McDavid and Crosby and arguably offers the most upside in category coverage of any player.

Next highest ranked centers in NHL.com's top 250: Auston Matthews, TOR; John Tavares, TOR; Steven Stamkos, TBL; Nathan MacKinnon, COL; Tyler Seguin, DAL