Glossary entry

English term or phrase:

first-line center

English answer:

position of first-line center in ice hockey

Added to glossary by Yvonne Gallagher
Jul 28, 2017 16:56
6 yrs ago
English term

first-line center

English Other Sports / Fitness / Recreation
Hello everyone,

"Every year around the draft, fans of every team debate the importance of various roles on the team. Which is more valuable—a **first-line center** like Sidney Crosby? A lethal winger like Alex Ovechkin? A top-pairing defenseman like Erik Karlsson? A franchise goalie like Carey Price? These guys are scarce. There are only thirty first-line centers in the NHL, only thirty number-one goalies, and so on."

Mi initial thought was that a first line forward is a forward playing in the center.

https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Line_(ice_hockey)...

In ice hockey, a line is a group of forwards that play in a group, or "shift", during a game.

A complete forward line consists of a left wing, _a center_, and a right wing, while a pair of defensemen who play together are called "partners."

_The first line_ is usually composed of the best offensive players on the team.

But the last sentence makes me doubt:

"There are only thirty first-line centers in the NHL, only thirty number-one goalies, and so on."

"only thirty number-one goalies" definitely sounds (at least to me) like "only thirty best/top goalies".

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/number one

adj.
1. First in rank, order, or importance: the number one team in the nation; our number one problem.
2. Foremost in quality; first-rate: bought some number one farmland.

So my question is: Does "frst line center" mean forward playing in the center, or does it mean best/top forward?
Or do I misunderstand the meaning of "number one" in "only thirty number-one goalies"?

Thank you.
Change log

Jul 29, 2017 19:24: Yvonne Gallagher Created KOG entry

Jul 29, 2017 19:27: Yvonne Gallagher changed "Edited KOG entry" from "<a href="/profile/1300525">Yvonne Gallagher's</a> old entry - "first-line center"" to ""position of first line-center in ice hockey""

Discussion

Mikhail Korolev (asker) Jul 29, 2017:
Thank you, mike.
Mikhail Korolev (asker) Jul 29, 2017:
Thank you, Lincoln.

Yes, the more I re-read the Wikipedia article and think about it, the more I come to the conclusion that the term "first line" as such implies that the best/strongest players play in the first line and a first line center is the center playing in this first line consisting of the best players.
Lincoln Hui Jul 29, 2017:
Definitely seems like it's referring to the top tier of players at the position, considering the sentences that proceed it.

Responses

19 hrs
Selected

elite/top ranking in position of first line-center


Yes, this can be read in two ways...elite or position. But here it means both. (And I checked with a Canadian friend into ice hockey)

The NHL ranks players and teams on points (in various ways...see link below on how points are scored) and they also rank the top 30 players in each position. Here, in your context

"fans of every team debate the importance of various roles on the team. Which is more valuable ..."
so, it could be argued that a first-line center is the most valuable player as they score (or assist in scoring) the most goals and thus help their team win matches, score points and move up the rankings, while also scoring player points and also moving up ranking. However, wingers and degfence/goalies are alo needed on a team. So basically fans are discussing which really is most important: to score or defend? And they are also thinking of their FANTASY team, having the very best players in eac position. I looked up 2 of those mentioned and yes, Sidney Crosby is no 1 NHL first-line center and Carey Price is the no 1 NHL goalie

Also, if you look at award winners you'll see that centers feature highly but other position players can also win awards
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Lindsay_Award

https://www.si.com/nhl/photo/2016/08/15/nhl-best-centers-ran...
https://www.si.com/nhl/photo/2016/08/19/ranking-nhl-top-30-s...

http://www.foxsports.com/nhl/stats?category=SCORING
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_(ice_hockey)

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Note added at 19 hrs (2017-07-29 12:24:01 GMT)
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typos: defence also each (Sorry!)

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Note added at 19 hrs (2017-07-29 12:29:13 GMT)
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I probably should have said, here it CAN mean both, but really it's the position itself that the fans are discussing the importance of
(and then choosing the elite players in that position for their fantasy team)

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Note added at 1 day2 hrs (2017-07-29 19:23:21 GMT) Post-grading
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Glad to help. It had me puzzled for a while as well...
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thank you very much, Gallagy."

Reference comments

1 hr
Reference:

center

"The centre (or center in the United States) in ice hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play is the middle of the ice, away from the side boards. Centres have more flexibility in their positioning and are expected to cover more ice surface than any other player. Centres are ideally stronger, faster skaters who can back check quickly from deep in the opposing zone. Generally, centres are expected to be gifted passers more so than goal scorers, although there are exceptions. They are also expected to have exceptional "ice vision", intelligence, and creativity. They also generally are the most defensively oriented forwards on the ice. Centres usually play as part of a *line of players* that are substituted frequently to keep fresh and keep the game moving. *First-liners* are usually the top players, although some top players make the second line to allow for offensive scoring opportunities."

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Note added at 2 hrs (2017-07-28 19:50:26 GMT)
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You're welcome. I don't actually know what this means :)
Note from asker:
Thank you.
Peer comments on this reference comment:

agree acetran
2 days 18 hrs
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