Too often we approach the season in any sport focusing myopically on who’s the “best.” When it comes to the NHL especially the phrase “best” and “most-important” are often mutually exclusive. It’s all well and good to be a point god like David Pastrňák — but if your team is finishing sub .500 then it doesn’t really matter.
With the NHL regular season opening we are focusing today less on who are simply the “best” players in the league, many of whom we already know — and instead focusing on players, the majority of which are on contending teams, who can truly write the story to the 2025-26 season in the NHL.
25. Martin Nečas, C — Colorado Avalanche
Nečas was more than a throw-in player in the Avalanche-Hurricanes trade that sent Mikko Rantanen to Carolina last year. An incredibly good, All-Star caliber forward, Nečas was in a weird position where he was playing well, the Canes were playing well, but neither played well together because of a style mismatch.
In limited opportunities last season Nečas absolutely shined for the Avalanche after the trade deadline. He proved he can be both an effective scorer to fill the gap without Rantanen on the wing, but also create from center. It’s a fantastic talent/scheme fit that has a chance to really blossom this season with a full training camp and offseason to integrate with the team.
24. Matthew Tkachuk, W — Florida Panthers
It’s hilarious to think that the Panthers won the cup last season and didn’t have Matthew Tkachuk for 30 games due to injury. There isn’t much left for the Panthers to achieve other than making their path through the playoffs easier, and that means having a bigger regular season in Sunrise.
Nobody can control their injuries, but a big season from Tkachuk could mean that the Panthers’ eventual playoff run goes through Florida, and that is a horrible thought for everyone else in the Eastern conference. We’re overdue for another big, signature, 100 point season from Tkachuk — and this could be the year.
23. Stuart Skinner, G — Edmonton Oilers
No goalie is under more pressure than Stuart Skinner in Edmonton. It’s honestly unfair that so often the hopes of the Oilers are put on Skinner’s shoulders because of the general defensive weakness of Edmonton. That shouldn’t absolve Skinner of responsibility, however, because when the lights are the brightest he’s been objectively terrible.
All Edmonton needs is “decent” from Skinner. That’s it. He doesn’t need to be a Vezina winner, just stop some more shots. If he can do that then the Oilers have a shot.
22. Jake Guentzel, C — Tampa Bay Lightning
It’s been easy to forget about the Lightning during the Panthers ascent, but there are some of the best damn players in hockey sitting in Tampa right now, waiting to put it together. One of those guys is Jake Guentzel, who was signed as a coup in free agency last year to be the missing piece — and had a good season, but nothing to write home about.
If Guentzel can lift his game and become a bonafide star for the Lightning then there’s a real chance they could rise above their projection and make some noise.
21. Brad Marchand, LW — Florida Panthers
Landing Brad Machand turned out to be the most impactful move of the trade deadline last year. It was hand, meet glove fit with Marchand’s joy for playing messy hockey meshing perfectly with the Panthers love for stretching the rules to their breaking point.
Marchand was a tone setter for Florida in the playoffs and Stanley Cup. Now he has an opportunity to do for an entire season. It doesn’t matter how deep on the lines he is, Marchand will find a way to make an impact, and infuriate everyone in his way.
20. Connor Bedard, C — Chicago Blackhawks
There is absolutely no doubt that Bedard is every bit as talented as advertised. The issue is the Blackhawks are so horrendously bad that nobody is there to help him. We’re only two years in, but this already feels like we’re hurtling towards a breaking point. Bedard is not accustomed to losing, and the frustrating in Chicago is growing.
The Blackhawks need to get closer to .500 this season and at least threaten a potential playoff spot to show there’s progress. Bedard is at the center of that, and will be a player to watch all season long if he become fed up with the lack of progress in Chicago.
19. K’Andre Miller, D — Carolina Hurricanes
This was easily one of the most stunning trades of the offseason. It was no secret that Carolina wanted more help on their backline, but the big move to get K’Andre Miller from the Rangers came out of nowhere.
Nobody has been better at evaluating defensemen recently than the Hurricanes, so trading a 1st, 2nd, and a top prospect in Scott Morrow is a testament to how much they think Miller can help their team. A smooth skater, a huge body, and someone who can contribute to a woeful powerplay, if the Canes were right on this one then Miller could have a breakout season as a premier two-way defenseman.
18. Kirill Kaprizov, LW — Minnesota Wild
The Wild went very big in re-signing Kirill Kaprizov to the largest contract in the NHL, and now he needs to justify it. The talent is there, of that there’s no question, it’s more whether or not Kaprizov can transcend being the best player on a middling team, to becoming an elite NHL talent.
There will be a huge microscope on this deal in light of Connor McDavid’s extension, and that will put a lot of pressure on the player. If Kaprizov can step up and hit that next gear then he’ll cement himself as one of the best players in the NHL. If he doesn’t, well, this could be a legendary contract mistake.
17. Jack Hughes, C — New Jersey Devils
The Devils are a really solid team with a superstar in Jack Hughes. Injuries have led to Hughes treading water following his massive 99 point season in 2022-23, and the Devils need him to step up, stay healthy and take another step forward into the player we know he can be.
Hughes will be the biggest story in New Jersey this year, and the team’s success is linked to him
16. Evan Bouchard, D — Edmonton Oilers
Everyone in Edmonton knows the stakes now. They have to win quickly, or McDavid walks. Evan Bouchard is critical to all this. We know he can be a huge difference maker on offense, but Bouchard needs to become a more reliable stay home defender to help his team more. As brilliant as his slap shot is, the Oilers need hits more than shots from Bouchard.
We’ve seen Bouchard be asked less and less to be a physical defender in recent years, and that’s not the right move to propel this team forward. We need to see more from him in 2025-26 in order for Edmonton to take a step forward.
15. Connor Hellebuyck, G — Winnipeg Jets
The Jets were so damn good last season, and it’s a shame to see the NHL’s smallest market get poached the way they did in free agency without much to show for it. That makes Connor Hellebuyck’s role even more important in the upcoming season.
Unquestionably the best goaltender in the NHL, Hellebuyck is a black hole for a scorer’s hopes and dreams — but inexplicably evaporated in the playoffs next season. Any chance the Jets have this season depends on Hellebuyck being a reliable netminder if the Jets have a shot at returning to the playoffs.
14. Auston Matthews, C — Toronto Maple Leafs
Auston Matthews is absolutely infuriating. When he’s on there’s nobody who matches him for pure goalscoring potential. When he’s off, well, he might as well not even be on the ice. This season will have extra pressure heaped on the Leafs’ star to perform without Mitch Marner at his side. Toronto’s big three became a two, and it’s unclear with Matthews and Williams Nylander are enough on their current course.
It’s put up or shut up tome for Matthews. Connor McDavid isn’t riding in at the deadline to bail him out. Now is when he needs to assert himself as one of the best players in the NHL, otherwise the Leafs will struggle to make the playoffs. It’s that simple.
13. Miro Heiskanen, D — Dallas Stars
The Stars are a team that you see on paper and you can’t believe this team hasn’t won three cups as constructed. For all the hype the Dallas forwards get, it’s Miro Heiskanen who is arguably their most important player. The goals will come, but stopping them falls on the unbelievable talent of their blue line guardian.
Dallas is sitting in a western conference where a lot of other teams got better. Heiskanen needs to continue to play at a high level to ensure the Stars have a shot.
12. Jack Eichel, C — Vegas Golden Knights
There is going to be so much drama around Jack Eichel this season. Now Connor McDavid has signed, Eichel is the top free agent of 2026 with a bullet and teams will be falling over each other to try and land him, especially those who were stockpiling McDavid money.
It’s entirely possible Eichel re-signs with Vegas, thinking this team is close enough to winning a cup. However, if that doesn’t happen and somehow the Golden Knights falter early in the season, hoo boy are there going to be fireworks. Eichel watch will be a thing all season long similar to Mikko Rantanen a year ago.
11. Seth Jarvis, RW — Carolina Hurricanes
Seth Jarvis is right on the cusp of breaking out and becoming a megastar. Hurricanes fans are just waiting for it to happen. Jarvis has back-to-back 65+ point seasons as a two-way forward in the mold of head coach Rod Brind-A’mour, and he’s doing it at 22-years-old.
Carolina is a team built on very small margins. They’ve been a star or two away from really pushing the Panthers in the east, and Jarvis could be a player who steps up to become an 80+ point player. If that happens then the Hurricanes will be tough to beat.
10. Nikita Kucherov, LW — Tampa Bay Lightning
The best player in the NHL who gets overlooked, Nikita Kucherov has the talent to absolutely take over a game — he just needs a little help around him to shine. The Lightning shouldn’t be considered a “dark horse” for anything, but they’ve been overlooked in the eastern conference conversation in recent years.
Kucherov led the NHL in points last year. If he can get just a little more from the guys around him he’ll be a defining player this season.
9. Sergei Bobrovsky, G — Florida Panthers
The cracks began to show with Bob last season, but none of that mattered because he stepped up when it mattered the most. Everything the Panthers do is predicated on being able to overwhelm on the forecheck because they know Bobrovsky can bail them out if there’s a breakaway.
This is so much the ethos of the Panthers that nothing functionally matters if they don’t have a wall in goal. Bobrovsky faces a lot of shots, and he makes some of the most unbelievable saves imaginable. The question just lingers about how long this can keep going now the netminder is 37-years-old.
8. Nikolaj Ehlers, LW — Carolina Hurricanes
Is Nikolaj Ehlers the missing piece? The Hurricanes hope so. After back-to-back years led to massive deadline trades for Jake Guentzel and Mikko Rantanen blew up in Carolina’s face, now they turned to free agency to find a wing this team hopes can light the lamp a little more often.
Ehlers was on pace for a career-high in points last season before being injured, but most importantly he added five goals in eight playoff games for the Jets last season. That is what the Canes have been missing in the playoffs, the scoring pop to get them over the top. Ehlers could define the eastern conference this season if he can step up and be the missing piece to the puzzle.
7. Mikko Rantanen, RW — Dallas Stars
Disaster was averted last year as Mikko Rantanen made such a slow start after being traded to Dallas that it looked like one of the disasters of the season. Then he broke out in the playoffs to become of the Stars’ best players.
Now it’s time to move forward and integrate Rantanen into the fold completely. There’s a very real chance he can return to being a 100 point player in this lineup, and if that happens then the Stars should be a favorite in the western conference. There’s no reason the Stars can’t compete for a cup with the roster they have.
6. Cale Makar — D, Colorado Avalanche
When you’re a unicorn like Cale Makar on a championship-contending team then you’re going to be on this list every single year. There is no defender in the NHL as talented as Makar on the offensive end, or who can serve as another defacto forward in the powerplay while also being a premiere defender.
Makar is a difference maker every single time he’s on the ice and such a mismatch threat that he helps shape the western conference. Honestly, it’s a testament to how good Makar is (as well as a certain someone we’ll get to in the moment) that the Avs are a perennial playoff team and regular contender with their three and four lines being really pedestrian compared to a lot of the NHL.
5. Mitch Marner, RW — Vegas Golden Knights
There’s no shortage of criticism when it comes to Mitch Marner. In fact, you’d be hard pressed to find a perennial All Star who is routinely slammed more than Marner. A regular season legend, too much of Marner’s career has been defined by disappearing in the playoffs and being soft when the Leafs were in dire need of toughness.
This season will answer how much of that was on Marner, and what was a product of being on the Leafs. Now in Las Vegas, Marner finds himself on a tier one contender, and an organization where he won’t be relied on to carry as much of a load. The Golden Knights’ first line of Barbashev/Eichel/Marner is as good as you’ll find in the NHL — and if Marner can find a new edge in his new home then the Knights could be a Stanley Cup favorite in the west.
4. Leon Draisaitl, LW — Edmonton Oilers
Nobody had a bigger sigh of relief than Leon Draisaitl when Connor McDavid signed his two year extension. While the Oilers would have still been decent with Draisaitl as the centerpiece, they wouldn’t have been special — and being the first to sign a long-term deal in Edmonton could have locked in him hockey purgatory.
Now with McDavid committing to two more years the pressure is on everyone in that locker room to convince him to re-up for longer and that this team can be a Stanley Cup winning team.Unquestionably brilliant, it’s about Draisaitl staying the course, while also finding a little more toughness to compete in a more physical, bruising NHL.
3. Nathan McKinnon, C — Colorado Avalanche
If you’re a kid stepping on the pond looking to model your game after anyone in the NHL it should be Nathan McKinnon. The best player in the league not named “Connor McDavid,” it’s McKinnon’s absolutely unreal vision and passing ability that sets him apart from the rest of the league.
The ultimate force multiplier in hockey, the Avs’ center is such a brilliant distributor that guys want to play with him. That makes him someone to watch, particularly around the trade deadline with Colorado having some wiggle room if they deal a defenseman.
2. Sidney Crosby, C — Pittsburgh Penguins
Remember, this is a list of people who will define the NHL, not simply the best players. Sid is absolutely ageless, and it’s remarkable he’s still a 90+ point player this late into his 30s. So why is he a player to watch? The deadline.
Crosby has said time and time again that he wants to end his career in Pittsburgh, but that’s becoming a bit of a weird prospect considering that he’s still playing at an elite level, but the Penguins can’t build a supporting team around him. It’s opened the door for a potential deal at the deadline to ship Crosby off to a contender and do right by him, especially if the Pens are functionally out of a race by March.
Adding Crosby would be the ultimate playoff push move. You just can’t find guys at the deadline who are top six forwards who don’t need mammoth new contracts. Throw a dart at any contender and adding Crosby could be enough to win them a cup, so when you factor in the possibility of a trade, Crosby’s no-trade clause, and it all hinging on whether or not Pittsburgh can be a good team — well, the drama writes itself.
1. Connor McDavid, C — Edmonton Oilers
You knew who was going to be No. 1 before you started scrolling. The decision by Connor McDavid to re-sign with the Oilers prior to the start of the season is both heartwarmingly brilliant, and put the team on a clock to win right now.
McDavid went from best the ultimate player to watch at the deadline due to his expiring contract, to now being in a position where the team has to win to satiate his desires for a cup. The extension will be looked at throughout the season, and McDavid will be a lightning rod for attention even though he’s still under contract.
This is the single closest player we’ve had in hockey since Wayne Gretzky. McDavid is an incomparable talent that blends unselfish play with individual brilliance. Wait to see what happens in Edmonton this season, because it won’t just define the upcoming season, but the next several years in the NHL.
