BY ERIK LAGERWEIJ
The NHL doesn't always get a lot of credit for being the most difficult among North America's 4 major sports. However, as those of us who watch hockey know with absolute certainty, sliding around an ice surface at 30 kilometres per hour is no small feat. Add in the required skill of handling a small black biscuit and the thousands of split-second decisions, you'll see that playing hockey at the professional level calls for an incredible amount of athletic prowess.
Therefore, it is even more impressive when we see a player like Connor McDavid embarrass his peers and show a proficiency much higher than the average player.
Now that 2022 has begun, I decided to count down the top 50 players in the NHL for the year ahead. I can't use words to describe how thin some of the margins were between some players, as this league is full to the brim with game-breaking talent.
I needed this to be a top-50, as it would be much easier to organize. Nobody wants to read a top-55 or a top-60; it just doesn't sound right. In that case, I decided to name off some honourable mentions that just about made the list.
Alex Pietrangelo is a controversial exclusion, though his play since signing with Vegas hasn't warranted a place in the top 50. He still has a history of elite production from the blueline and is statistically the best puck-moving D-man in the league.
The New York Rangers have been one of the most fun surprises of the season and Mika Zibanejad is no small part of that. Ever since joining from the Ottawa Senators, he has showcased his elite scoring tendencies.
Matthew Tkachuk has had an excellent season this year. He works hard and plays on one of the best lines in hockey. It's been an impressive breakout for the Flames winger and he could definitely make this list next year.
Mathew Barzal was a tough omission. He would've been an obvious pick at the start of the season. His Islanders team is struggling and his play-driving has taken a major dip. He undoubtedly has talent and if New York's power play bounces back soon, he'll be on the list.
My favourite non-Leafs player in the league is Nikolaj Ehlers. If given more ice-time and opportunities on the first power-play unit, he'd be one of the best point producers in the NHL. Maybe he'll get that under interim coach Dave Lowry, but for now, he just misses out.
With that being said, I think you all know who number one is.
1. Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton Oilers
By quite a margin, Connor McDavid is the best player in the NHL. His speed, hands, IQ, and passing make him the most dangerous offensive player of this generation. Projected for 134 points this season, nobody is catching the Oilers superstar any time soon. He may already be a Hall of Famer without any team accolades and just 7 seasons under his belt.
2. Auston Matthews, C, Toronto Maple Leafs
Despite a comparatively slow start following wrist surgery in the offseason, Matthews is back to his best. His lowest goal tally in a season is 34 goals. With 20 markers already along with a Leafs power play that has found its' mojo again, Matthews is a good bet for 50 goals and could win the Rocket Richard for the second consecutive season.
3. Leon Draisaitl, C, Edmonton Oilers
The fact that Edmonton possesses two of the three best players in the game by my metrics and still can barely secure a playoff spot is frustrating. Once, the argument with the German star was whether he could drive offense on a line without McDavid. With 247 in his last 161 games, the argument is now: Is he the second best player in the world?
4. Nathan MacKinnon, C, Colorado Avalanche
(NHL.com)
There was once a time not too long ago when Nathan MacKinnon could legitimately have called himself the best player in the National Hockey League. Now he is only fourth, though it is more due to other players performing at an inhuman level rather than him failing to exceed expectations. His package of strength and quickness makes him one of, if not the hardest player to defend against in the NHL.
5. Alexander Ovechkin, LW, Washington Capitals
How is Ovi still this good? At the ripe old age of 36, he is on track for one of his best seasons yet. He's projected for 56 goals and 109 points this year. Of all the players I've mentioned so far, Ovechkin has the most flaws I can pick out in his game. Despite that, his generational offensive talent is so unbelievable that I can't deny the spot on this list that he rightly deserves.
6. Cale Makar, D, Colorado Avalanche
While making this list, I admittedly debated whether Makar was too high up. Then I got a notification last night that he had scored a highlight-reel goal to win the game in overtime. If you haven't seen it, check it out. I was mesmerized while watching it and instantly moved him up rather than down. He's currently my second favourite player to watch behind McDavid. His beautiful skating makes him the best defenseman since prime Erik Karlsson.
7. Victor Hedman, D, Tampa Bay Lightning
Bryan Burns (NHL.com)
Nothing exhibits Victor Hedman's consistency more than the fact that he put in one of his worst seasons in years last campaign and still managed to finish second in Norris voting. His bad seasons are still the cream of the crop among NHL defensemen. When he's in the midst of a good season like this one, oh boy, he could finish top-3 in Hart Trophy voting.
8. Andrei Vasilevskiy, G, Tampa Bay Lightning
Like his teammate Hedman, Vasilevskiy's consistency is unmatched. He's been at least a Vezina nominee in each of the last 4 years. His combination of size and athleticism makes him by far the best goaltender in the league. At the most volatile position in modern-day hockey, Vasilevskiy makes it look easy on a regular basis.
9. Nikita Kucherov, RW, Tampa Bay Lightning
The third consecutive Lightning player on the list, Kucherov has the game-breaking ability that not many others possess. When he plays on the power-play, Tampa Bay's unit goes from great to legendary. Though he's had a few seasons disrupted by injury, we must not forget that he did win the Hart Trophy with a 128-point season in 2019. He's still awesome; don't forget it.
10. Adam Fox, D, New York Rangers
Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images
In just his second NHL season, Adam Fox won the Norris Trophy for best defenseman in the league. A year later, and he is playing even better than before. He has an ability to always find the right pass. With his heavy shot and aggressive skating stride, he is the modern-day Brian Leetch. If Fox continues on this trajectory, he could be a Hall of Famer as well.
11. Brad Marchand, LW, Boston Bruins
Marchand's transformation from a simple pest to one of the superstars of the league has been fascinating. Before the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, Marchand was a 50 point-per-season player. Still useful, but nothing impressive. After the World Cup though, something changed. He became a surefire point-per-game player. He plays on the best line in the NHL and in my mind, is the most valuable part of this eternally successful Boston Bruins team.
12. Aleksander Barkov, C, Florida Panthers
(Getty Images)
The reigning Selke Trophy winner is also a top-tier scorer. Barkov may be the most well-rounded player in the league today. With the Panthers flying high at the top of the league, Barkov is showing the watching world that he is no longer underrated. He is in fact, the real deal.
13. Artemi Panarin, LW, New York Rangers
As you may be able to see from my list, I value consistency more than most. The "Breadman" is one of the most consistent forwards in the league. He's been a point per game player or better in each of the last 5 seasons. The star power that he brings keeps the Rangers forward corps thriving. He's even taking on more of a defensive role this season and is playing for one of the league's best teams.
14. Sidney Crosby, C, Pittsburgh Penguins
NHL.com
It seems morally wrong that Crosby is this low on a list of the NHL's best players. For a decade and a half, he's been near or at the top. He is slowing down a bit quicker than Alex Ovechkin, but he is still the key part of an overperforming Pittsburgh Penguins team. He eats tough minutes and has a reputation for producing offense at the highest level.
15. Sebastian Aho, C, Carolina Hurricanes
The underappreciated Sebastian Aho really deserves to be considered among the league's elite. I'll be the guy to give him the well-warranted kudos. A point-per-game player for 4 straight seasons, Aho has great underlying metrics and plays tough minutes for the NHL's best team right now. He's a very good defensive player as well.
16. Kirill Kaprizov, LW, Minnesota Wild
Gavin Lee, Pro Hockey Rumors
Maybe I'm overreacting to just over a full season of hockey from Kirill Kaprizov, but I honestly feel that he is a top-20 player in the NHL. He completely changed the outlook on the Minnesota Wild from the most boring team in hockey to must-watch television. His stickhandling, skating, and vision makes him a truly special offensive weapon.
17. Jonathan Huberdeau, LW, Florida Panthers
Not a game-breaking player like some others I've listed so far, Huberdeau is nonetheless a worthy inclusion this high on the list. He is one of just 5 players projected for over 100 points this season. His career stalled somewhat after winning the Calder Trophy in 2013, but finally Huberdeau has arrived. He is the second best player on the second best team in hockey right now.
18. Roman Josi, D, Nashville Predators
Robby Stanley, NHL.com
Nashville is having a great season that seems to be going under-the-radar. Casual fans don't seem to understand just how high up the standings the Preds are. Josi's bounce-back season has convinced me that he deserves a spot in this top-20. Not many players can carry a team's offensive load so consistently. The Swiss stud is definitely one of them.
19. Steven Stamkos, C, Tampa Bay Lightning
We just can't get rid of him, eh? Some players are consistent, some players are game-breaking. When healthy, Stamkos is both. He is putting together one of his best seasons in years this season. The issue is the healthy part of that statement. He's had his fair share of injuries, but when he's on the ice, he is an absolute superstar.
20. Mikko Rantanen, RW, Colorado Avalanche
Though Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar get all the plaudits during an Avs game, Rantanen's quickness and lethal shot somehow blends into the background. There is no particular facet of Rantanen's game that stands out among his teammates. However, one cannot deny the production he puts up on a season-to-season basis.
21. Patrice Bergeron, C, Boston Bruins
Amalie Benjamin, NHL.com
The fact that people actually discuss whether the Selke Trophy should be renamed after Patrice Bergeron after he retires just goes to show what a top player he truly is. The NHL's premier defensive forward for a decade, Bergeron centers the Perfection Line. Without his unselfish play, Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak would not be anywhere near their current production.
22. Brayden Point, C, Tampa Bay Lightning
If this were solely based on the playoffs, Point would be right at the top. One of the most clutch scorers in the game today, Point is no slouch during the regular season. He's only ever had one point-per-game season, but anybody who has watched even one game from either of Tampa Bay's two Stanley Cup runs knows the impact the Albertan possesses.
23. Connor Hellebuyck, G, Winnipeg Jets
Jonathan Kozub (Getty Images)
Ever since becoming Winnipeg's starting goalie, Hellebuyck has had to stand on his head every game. No goalies faces a higher amount of shots or heavier workload. Despite a pretty tough start to the season, Hellebuyck is tied for fifth in the league in terms of goals saved above expected. He clearly has a lot of talent and if Winnipeg can turn their season around, he'll be the biggest part of that.
24. Mitch Marner, RW, Toronto Maple Leafs
Sure, his playoff production can't match up with the majority of players on this list. I'm not going to punish Marner for this too much, though. It would be nice to see his dynamic game translate in the postseason, but his regular season play over the last few years is too good to ignore. He is a key member of the power play and the penalty kill, where his speed allows him to expose weaknesses in other systems. If he can get it going in the first round, the Leafs will be hard to stop.
25. David Pastrnak, RW, Boston Bruins
If this list were solely based off of this season, Pastrnak would be much lower. As somebody who picked him in fantasy, I know all too well how frustrating the season has been for the Bruins winger. But there is a reason I selected him. His shot is deadly, his hands are silky smooth, and he has a telepathic connection with his linemates. With some better puck luck, "Pasta" will justify this position very soon.
26. John Carlson, D, Washington Capitals
Rob Carr (Getty Images)
I have always known how good John Carlson is. He was what Adam Fox was now, just a couple of years ago. But, in all honesty, I had no idea he was having a season this good. He is 10th in the whole league in Point Shares. The Stanley Cup champion is third in points among defensemen with 32 in 34 games. If Carlson can keep up this pace, I may have no choice but to move him up the list.
27. Charlie McAvoy, D, Boston Bruins
After the departure of Zdeno Chara in free agency two seasons ago, the Bruins D-corps was expected to sink. Here we are in 2022, Chara is an absolute liability on the ice and his replacement, Charlie McAvoy, is one of the most exciting players in the league. Not only is he responsible defensively, he is on pace for 59 points this season.
28. Mark Stone, RW, Vegas Golden Knights
How many Selke Trophies could Mark Stone have if Patrice Bergeron didn't exist? He is 1B in terms of defensive forwards, but it is arguably more impressive given the fact that he's a winger. The first captain in Golden Knights history, Stone is also an amazing offensive player. With Jack Eichel expected to make his debut in a matter of months, Stone's game might reach another level.
29. Igor Shesterkin, G, New York Rangers
Michael Obernauer, NHL.com
Quite possibly the biggest riser on this whole list. Shesterkin showed tons of promise last year as the heir to Henrik Lundqvist's throne. He has backed that up and then some this season. At this point in the season, he is my pick for the Vezina Trophy. He leads all goalies in goals saved above average, showcasing his incredible ability between the pipes.
30. Aaron Ekblad, D, Florida Panthers
Ekblad was on pace for the best season of his career last year. A Norris Trophy nomination was looming. However, in a single instant, a freak injury cost him the last half of his season. That seems to have motivated him, as he has bettered his season from last year with a dynamic offensive team. My bold prediction this year was that Ekblad would win the Norris. Unfortunately for him, every other D-man is playing at an elite level, but he definitely deserves his spot in my top 30.
31. John Tavares, C, Toronto Maple Leafs
NHL.com.
The $11 million man is having yet another great season for Toronto. He is an ace in the faceoff dot and his net-front presence makes him very valuable to the Leafs. He has been a part of the Leafs' great second line and his playmaking is getting the best out of linemate William Nylander.
32. Patrick Kane, RW, Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks have not had the campaign that they expected. Not only was their brutal start overshadowed by a toxic front office that was cleaned out following reports of a violent sexual assault in 2010, the on-ice project hasn't worked out well. Nevertheless, Patrick Kane has continued to fill the net. He remains a star winger, though his numbers have taken a small dip this year.
33. Jack Campbell, G, Toronto Maple Leafs
Could I be overrating "Soupy"? It's entirely possible, but I think he absolutely deserves this spot. If you look at the analytics from the calendar year of 2021, you will see that Campbell has been the best goalie this season. If you look at the advanced analytics, you will see that is undisputable. The Leafs haven't had a goalie like Campbell for years and he is a huge reason for their recent success.
34. Kyle Connor, LW, Winnipeg Jets
Another very underrated player, Connor has made sure that he has the world's attention with 19 goals in 32 games. However, this has by no means come out of nowhere. While watching the Jets play this year to keep an eye on Nikolaj Ehlers, I was immediately drawn to Connor. His shot is just rapid and he can place it right where he wants. Definitely a star with the potential to get even better.
35. Juuse Saros, G, Nashville Predators
NHL.com.
Saros may be the biggest reason that Nashville are thriving right now. He went on a purple patch of form at the end of last year, thrusting himself into the Vezina conversation. Now, he has carried that over into the new season and has been an absolute brick wall with a .927 SV%. At just 26, Saros has proven that he has what it takes to take over from the recently retired Pekka Rinne.
36. Johnny Gaudreau, LW, Calgary Flames
Gaudreau is another player who has risen way up into the top 50. Going into his UFA season, "Johnny Hockey" needed to get back to his previous heights after a few disappointing years. On pace for 97 points this year, he has been the best offensive player on a Flames team hoping to win the Pacific Division.
37. Morgan Rielly, D, Toronto Maple Leafs
`Morgan Rielly never gets enough credit for how important he is to the Leafs. His GSVA of 1.4 this season is bettered by only the 7 other defensemen ahead of him on my list. He plays top-pairing minutes and has demonstrated great all-around proficiency. He is the key to unlocking the Leafs' power play.
38. Devon Toews, D, Colorado Avalanche
Ron Knabenbauer, NHL.com (F
The winner of the "Most Underrated" award in my book, Cale Makar's defense partner is having an incredible season. After breaking out last year with Colorado, the former New York Islander has taken his game to a new level this season. Before the Olympics were cancelled, there was a debate whether Toews deserved to be picked. Now, he would be a shoo-in.
39. Jake Guentzel, LW, Pittsburgh Penguins
Sidney Crosby has been Pittsburgh's best player for 15 years. However, his throne is wobbling, as Jake Guentzel has put up 31 points in 26 games this year. I was previously guilty of thinking that Guentzel needed Crosby to help put up points. Guentzel's play driving is proving me wrong this year.
40. Quinn Hughes, D, Vancouver Canucks
Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images
The Canucks have newfound hope under new coach Bruce Boudreau. Sure, they won't do anything in the playoffs, but Vancouver fans have reason to get excited. Well, two reasons. The second is American defenseman Quinn Hughes. Despite teammate Elias Pettersson's struggles, Hughes is thriving with 28 points through 33 games. His defensive game isn't excellent, but with numbers like that, you can give him the benefit of the doubt.
41. Shea Theodore, D, Vegas Golden Knights
I will forever be bemused that Anaheim gave away Shea Theodore basically for free at the Vegas expansion draft. He has since developed into one of the NHL's best defensemen. His power play prowess makes him a good bet to rack up some big point totals when Jack Eichel makes his Vegas debut. Speaking of Eichel..
42. Jack Eichel, C, Vegas Golden Knights
This is admittedly a risky pick as we haven't seen Eichel play in nearly a year. He just had a surgery that no NHL player has ever tried. But even if Eichel can get to close to 90% of the player we saw in Buffalo, he'll be the number one center in Vegas for years to come.
43. Gabriel Landeskog, LW, Colorado Avalanche
(Getty Images)
The final piece of the Avalanche first line, Landeskog was at one point the youngest captain in NHL history. Though his offensive numbers aren't quite as eye-catching as Rantanen or MacKinnon's, they are still very good. His leadership makes him an integral piece of a major Cup contender.
44. Kris Letang, D, Pittsburgh Penguins
Letang is not always healthy, but when he is, you forget that he is almost 35 years of age. He's having a strong bounceback season on a Pittsburgh D corps that is so ravaged by injuries that even seasoned hockey fans need to do a little research on their third pairing guys.
45. Miro Heiskanen, D, Dallas Stars
(Tom Fox / Staff Photographer/ The Dallas Morning News)
By logic, one of the most expensive defensemen in the league should be one of the best defensemen. With the young Finn, Miro Heiskanen, there is a definite argument to be made. On an inconsistent Stars team, Heiskanen's skating ability and maturity make him look like a veteran rather than a 22-year old.
46. Dougie Hamilton, D, New Jersey Devils
After a successful tenure in Carolina, Hamilton signed a big contract with the Devils in the offseason. As a right-handed defenseman, he is valuable just by waking up in the morning. Hamilton, however, takes it a step further by packaging size and offensive instincts to be a consistent force from the back end.
47. Elias Lindholm, C, Calgary Flames
Though Patrice Bergeron is running away with the Selke Trophy, one must not forget about Elias Lindholm, the center for Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk. His ability to suppress expected and actual goals is topped only by Boston's star center. Lindholm is also having a great offensive season; he's on pace for 74 points in an 82-game season.
48. William Nylander, RW, Toronto Maple Leafs
After being one of very few Leafs to actually play well during the playoff series loss to Montreal last season, Nylander has continued his great form. He has a lethal shot and his hands are among the best. He doesn't always make the right play, but he has an uncanny ability to make impossible plays look possible.
49. Mark Scheifele, C, Winnipeg Jets
A few months ago, Scheifele would have been a shoo-in for the top 30. Unfortunately, a poor season so far has forced me to drop him down to the 49th position. I still trust that he can find his obvious offensive talent as the season goes along.
50. Nazem Kadri, C, Colorado Avalanche
Aarif Deen (Mile High Sports)
The biggest surprise of the NHL season, former Leaf Kadri has put his playoff suspensions behind him with an incredible 2021-22 regular season. Playing on an Avalanche team that has had brutal injury luck, Kadri has put himself in position for a big payday in the summer. He is projected for 94 points this year.
NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT IS INTENDED
Comments
Post a Comment