RANKING TOP 50 PLAYERS
For the first time in many years, there’s actually a debate over which player is No. 1 in the NHL. Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins has been the undisputed top player for a long time, but Edmonton’s Connor McDavid has changed all that by winning a
1 Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh (1) McDavid is right there, but back-toback Conn Smythe Trophies, league-high in goals allow Crosby to keep top ranking.
2
Connor McDavid, Edmonton (21) Hart Trophy winner and scoring champ may be at top for next 15 years, but doesn’t quite edge Crosby … yet.
3
Erik Karlsson, Ottawa (9)
Has ability to control games from the back end, put up points and make passes no one else sees coming.
4
Patrick Kane, Chicago (2) Tied Crosby in points with 89 after winning scoring title in 2015-16, consistent scoring talent.
5
Carey Price, Montreal (5) Elite goalie gives Habs chance to win every night. 2.23 GAA and .923 SV% are among the league’s best.
6
Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh (19) Behind only McDavid and Crosby in points per game during regular season, led all players in scoring in playoffs.
7
Braden Holtby, Washington (12) Elevated his game again in 2016-17, had better numbers than even Price (2.07 GAA, .925 SV%).
8
Brent Burns, San Jose (11) Former forward led all defencemen in scoring and won his first Norris Trophy. 9
Drew Doughty, Los Angeles (3) Drops off a bit a year after winning Norris Trophy, but still has gamechanging ability.
10
Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay (11) Outscored Karlsson last season and has outstanding all-around game.
11
Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay (43) Elevated his game again in 2016-17, scoring 40 goals and finishing sixth in league in points.
12
Mark Scheifele, Winnipeg (NR) Goal and point totals have increased in each of his four seasons, finished seventh in league scoring.
13
Jonathan Toews, Chicago (8) His offensive numbers have really dropped, but still has elite two-way game.
14
Auston Matthews, Toronto (NR) Calder Trophy winner did remarkable things at a young age, was one of only three players in league to score 40 goals.
15
Alexander Ovechkin,
Washington (4)
Didn’t have a great offensive year, but is always a candidate for a big-time bounce back
16
Sergei Bobrovsky,
Columbus (NR)
Vezina Trophy winner won 41 games and had incredible 2.06 GAA and .931 save percentage.
17
Patrice Bergeron, Boston (10) Won his fourth Selke Trophy as league’s best defensive forward, though point totals dipped considerably.
18
Nicklas Backstrom,
Washington (40) Second in the league in assists, behind only McDavid.
19
Brad Marchand, Boston (48) Has emerged as a big-time goal-scorer and point producer. Not just a pest anymore.
20
Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton (NR) Finished eighth in scoring in his third NHL season, great complement for McDavid.
21
Vladimir Tarasenko,
St. Louis (22)
Has scored 79 goals the past two seasons, can dazzle with his skill.
22
Jamie Benn, Dallas (6) Scoring dropped by 20 points after two stellar seasons.
23
John Tavares,
New York Islanders (13) Finished 27th in league scoring last year, but that’s likely just an anomaly.
24
Steven Stamkos,
Tampa Bay (20)
Injuries have taken toll, though he still managed 20 points in just 17 games last year.
25
Patrik Laine, Winnipeg (NR) At 19, already has one of the best — if not the best — shots in the league.
26.
Duncan Keith, Chicago (16) A few D-men have passed him by, but two-time Norris Trophy winner still gets job done.
27
Devan Dubnyk, Minnesota (NR) Had almost the exact same numbers as Price, recorded more wins.
28
Tyler Seguin, Dallas (15) Has had good seasons in Dallas, but it always seems like there should be more.
29
Blake Wheeler, Winnipeg (26) Has finished sixth and 12th in league scoring the past two seasons.
30
Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim (29) Only scored 15 goals, but was third in the league in assists with 58.
31
Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles (7) Had a disappointing year with only 12 goals, but he’s better than that and plays great defensively.
32
Artemi Panarin, Columbus (42) The Bread Man was 11th in league scoring and has 151 points in his two NHL seasons.
33
Phil Kessel, Pittsburgh (NR) Has scored 45 points in 49 playoff games over the past two seasons.
34
P.K. Subban, Nashville (34) Part of a great defence that carried Nashville all the way to Stanley Cup final.
35
Roman Josi, Nashville (31) See Subban, above. Josi is as steady as they come at both ends of the ice.
36
Joe Pavelski, San Jose (14) Scoring dropped off after long playoff run. Still finished 24th in the league with 68 points.
37
Kris Letang, Pittsburgh (24) Amazing that the Penguins won the Stanley Cup without him.
38
Shea Weber, Montreal (36) Hard hitter with a boomer of a shot, Weber solidified Habs defence last season.
39
Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary (27) Won the Lady Byng Trophy with only four penalty minutes and 61 points.
40
Jack Eichel, Buffalo (NR) Had 57 points in 61 games after suffering an early-season knee injury.
41
David Pastrnak, Boston (NR) Had a breakout season with 34 goals and 70 points.
42
Ryan Suter, Minnesota (38) Physical, durable defenceman who chips in plenty of points.
43
Matt Murray, Pittsburgh (NR) All the goaltender has done is win two Stanley Cups in his first two years in the league.
44
Max Pacioretty, Montreal (47) Scored 35 goals last year, his fourth straight season with at least 30.
45
Jeff Skinner, Carolina (NR) Finished sixth in the league with 37 goals, a career high.
46
Mikael Granlund,
Minnesota (NR)
Finished 20th in league scoring with 69 points, plays clean two-way game.
47
Oliver Ekman-Larsson,
Arizona (37)
Didn’t have his best year on a very poor team, but has the ability to be difference-maker from the back end.
48.
Filip Forsberg, Nashville (NR) Led the Predators in playoff scoring after putting up 31 goals in regular season.
49
Alex Pietrangelo, St. Louis (46) A solid, all-around blue-liner who perennially anchors the Blues, scored 48 points.
50
Zach Werenksi, Columbus (NR) Eleven goals and 47 points earned him third place in the Calder Trophy voting.