"We asked a panel of ESPN broadcasters, analysts, reporters and editors to rate players based on how good they will be this season compared with their peers. Emphasis was placed on their value for this coming season, which explains why players who are out injured (but expected to return) might be lower than if they were healthy now. In the case of the Panthers, this put Matthew Tkachuk a bit lower than usual,"
"Simply put, McDavid is the best player on the planet, the best player of his generation, and could finish his career as one of the best to ever touch a puck. An eight-time 100-point scorer, McDavid has captained the Oilers to consecutive Stanley Cup Finals; this season, the objective is having Edmonton win its first title since 1990. -- Clark"
"Many types of players are needed to win in the NHL. Among them, a puck-moving defenseman who can also be trusted to play heavy minutes in every scenario. Makar is just that, as the two-time Norris Trophy winner (given to the NHL's best defenseman) is trusted to drive play in every scenario. -- Clark The Avalanche? Team Canada? It doesn't matter. Any team that has MacKinnon is"
An ESPN panel of broadcasters, analysts, reporters and editors ranked NHL players for 2025-26 with emphasis on each player's value for the coming season. Injury status influenced rankings, lowering some players' placements even if returns are expected. The repeat-champion Florida Panthers placed six players in the top 100, second only to the Dallas Stars' seven. Matthew Tkachuk received a slightly lower ranking and Aleksander Barkov missed the top 100 due to an expected absence. Connor McDavid retained the No. 1 spot for multiple seasons. The 1-100 player list highlights elite forwards and defensemen such as McDavid, Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon.
Read at ESPN.com
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