Wouldn't "center" be a default position, with no need for hat switch input? The hat switch only has 8 positions + neutral position=9
Exactly.  For some reason "Wine" is picking up the Front Left as the Neutral position so I am guessing AH is ignoring it.  Is there any way to remap the controller in Wine/Windows?  
-- POV in Front Left Position

-- POV in Neutral Position

They appear to be in a on off order because 
HAT POS = Reported position
----------------------
CENTER/Neutral = forward 
FORWARD = front right
FRONT RIGHT = right
RIGHT = back right
BACK RIGHT = back
BACK = back left
BACK LEFT = back
LEFT = front left
FRONT LEFT = neutral