Hockey is the final word staff sport, and simply because a staff has the best participant on the earth would not assure it’ll win a championship. After all, if a staff has two of the highest gamers on the earth, it might come awfully shut, because the Edmonton Oilers confirmed final season in getting to at least one win wanting a Stanley Cup.
Spoiler alert: Connor McDavid topped our rating of the highest 100 NHL gamers for 2024-25, simply as he did for 2023-24 and 2022-22 and 2021-22 and … you get it. However the place does Leon Draisaitl rank? And what about Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk from the Florida Panthers squad that beat the Oilers within the Cup Ultimate?
We requested a panel of greater than 50 ESPN broadcasters, analysts, reporters and editors to fee gamers primarily based on how good they are going to be within the 2024-25 season in contrast with their friends. Emphasis was positioned on their worth for this coming season, which explains why gamers who’re at present out injured (however are anticipated to return) is perhaps decrease than in the event that they had been fully wholesome.
Write-ups are courtesy of ESPN reporters Ryan S. Clark, Kristen Shilton, Greg Wyshynski and editorial employees.
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2023-24 rank: 65
Age: 32
One of many veterans introduced in to assist the rebuild alongside, Toffoli completed 2023-24 with 33 targets cut up between the Devils and Jets. — ESPN employees
2023-24 rank: 99
Age: 33
Whereas the Predators’ additions of Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault acquired all the eye this summer time, O’Reilly is perhaps much more important to their climb to the next echelon of Cup contenders. An elite two-way heart. — ESPN employees
2023-24 rank: 52
Age: 30
Connor Bedard‘s rookie season was a tricky one for the Blackhawks within the standings, however Jones’ underlying numbers weren’t horrible in a relative sense. Will the 30-year-old stay on the roster throughout the rebuild, or be traded for picks and prospects on the deadline? — ESPN employees
2023-24 rank: 43
Age: 30
Lindholm’s breakout 53-point marketing campaign in 2022-23 was adopted by a step again in 2023-24 (26 factors). Which course will the 30-year-old Swede head this season? — ESPN employees
2023-24 rank: 79
Age: 30
One of many NHL’s premier defensive defensemen — and actually its “most gentlemanly” in 2023-24, as he was awarded the Woman Byng Trophy. His play will probably be much more vital this season, because the Hurricanes misplaced a number of blueliners to free company this summer time. — ESPN employees
2023-24 rank: 89
Age: 25
The 25-year-old’s ascendancy continued in 2023-24, eclipsing a point-per-game tempo for the primary time (86 in 82). Thomas will proceed to be important because the Blues push for a playoff return. — ESPN employees
2023-24 rank: NA
Age: 28
Dunn missed a piece of the 2023-24 season — maybe a part of the explanation the Kraken missed the playoffs. The 28-year-old continues to be bettering and can proceed to play a key function on even power and on the ability play. — ESPN employees
2023-24 rank: 53
Age: 26
A devastating leg harm saved Sergachev out for months final season, however an offseason commerce to Utah was maybe extra jarring. He’ll be a vital part of how far the UHC goes in its inaugural marketing campaign. — ESPN employees
2023-24 rank: NA
Age: 21
After a rookie marketing campaign for which he was a Calder Trophy finalist, Hughes made the quilt of EA Sports activities NHL 25 with brothers Quinn and Jack. He’ll play a key function within the Devils’ short- and long-term aspirations. — ESPN employees
2023-24 rank: 84
Age: 34
One of many extra dependable blueliners within the Western Convention, the 34-year-old continues to play at a excessive stage, scoring 33 factors and averaging 23:33 of ice time per sport final season. — ESPN employees
2023-24 rank: NA
Age: 28
If the Panthers made a poster of their “dangerous boys” from the 2024 playoff run, Bennett could be prominently featured — and is perhaps Public Enemy No. 1 in Boston. — ESPN employees
2023-24 rank: NA
Age: 38
As his nineteenth NHL season begins, Malkin is only a bit off his dominant manufacturing tempo of earlier in his profession. However he stays a power at even power and on the ability play for a Penguins staff that’s hoping for one final epic playoff run with the present core of veterans. — ESPN employees
2023-24 rank: 66
Age: 26
DeBrincat is a dynamic, scoring winger, the writer of two-straight 27-goal campaigns. Can he get again to the 40-goal stage he reached twice earlier in his profession? — ESPN employees
2023-24 rank: NA
Age: 27
A late bloomer, Ingram backstopped a scrappy Coyotes staff final season. As with the remainder of the staff, Ingram’s stats took successful after rumors of their relocation circulated. Now in Utah, anticipate him to function a stable backstop for UHC’s playoff rivalry this season. — ESPN employees
2023-24 rank: NA
Age: 22
The fourth general choose within the 2020 draft, Raymond has proved as much as that pedigree, taking part in an more and more vital function for Detroit. And he’ll be doing it for some time longer, having signed an eight-year, $64.6 million contract this offseason. — ESPN employees
2023-24 rank: NA
Age: 28
Kempe’s rise has been a gradual and regular one, and the 28-year-old was near a point-per-game tempo in 2023-24 (75 in 77 video games). He is a key participant because the Kings push to get past the primary spherical of the playoffs this season. — ESPN employees
2023-24 rank: NA
Age: 30
The “different man” within the commerce that swapped Matthew Tkachuk for Jonathan Huberdeau in 2022, Weegar has emerged as a dynamic participant in his personal proper. That features a 52-point 2023-24 season for a Calgary staff in flux. — ESPN employees
2023-24 rank: 97
Age: 36
Bobrovsky is perhaps off of his Vezina Trophy-winning peak, however the veteran proved that he can nonetheless come up clutch within the playoffs. Now together with his title engraved on the Stanley Cup, the legend of “Playoff Bob” continues to develop. — ESPN employees
2023-24 rank: 75
Age: 30
Way more than simply Cale Makar‘s sidekick, Toews has proved to be a vital a part of the Avs’ success in latest seasons, taking part in each particular groups alongside together with his appreciable even-strength minutes. — ESPN employees
2023-24 rank: 93
Age: 34
He is not the point-per-game participant he as soon as was, however the veteran heart stays a key contributor on even power and the ability play for Toronto. — ESPN employees
2023-24 rank: NA
Age: 23
Final season — and significantly the playoffs — put the NHL on discover that the No. 1 choose from 2020 is every thing the Rangers noticed in him at that draft place. Be careful. — ESPN employees
2023-24 rank: 81
Age: 26
Though the Devils as a staff took a big step again final season, Bratt continued to supply: His 83 factors had been a profession excessive, and the 26-year-old’s ascension to the following stage of stardom could also be simply getting began. — ESPN employees
2023-24 rank: NA
Age: 32
Hyman exploded for 54 targets in 2023-24, skating on a line with Connor McDavid and taking part in a key function on the Oilers’ energy play as properly. Does he hit the 50-goal mark once more this season? — ESPN employees
2023-24 rank: 100
Age: 30
Hertl being traded from San Jose to Vegas on deadline day final season was probably the most surprising swaps in latest historical past. How excessive can he climb now that he is again on a contender? — ESPN employees
2023-24 rank: 68
Age: 31
Rating nineteenth within the NHL in scoring the previous three seasons in whole, Nugent-Hopkins is the longest-tenured member of an Oilers staff that many imagine is the most effective guess to win the Stanley Cup this spring. — ESPN employees
2023-24 rank: 87
Age: 30
After bouncing round a number of groups earlier in his profession, Montour broke out the previous two seasons with the Panthers. The 30-year-old parlayed that right into a seven-year, $50 million take care of the Kraken, a staff that hopes he can get them again into the playoff combine. — ESPN employees
2023-24 rank: 64
Age: 27
If it is attainable for a defenseman to attain a quiet 57 factors in 70 video games, that is exactly what Werenski did in 2023-24. The No. 8 choose from 2015 continues to be one of many extra dependable defensemen within the league when wholesome. — ESPN employees
2023-24 rank: 47
Age: 31
Ullmark is in a really completely different place than one yr in the past at the moment, not a part of a goaltending battery with Jeremy Swayman in Boston. Can he shine in a brand new state of affairs? — ESPN employees
2023-24 rank: NA
Age: 34
After a long-rumored commerce lastly got here to fruition in June, Markstrom takes over a harmful Devils staff that wanted a big goaltending increase. Can he recapture his previous Vezina Trophy-caliber type? — ESPN employees
2023-24 rank: 21
Age: 22
After 90 factors in 2022-23, Stutzle seemed poised for superstardom. Sadly, a 17.1% taking pictures share proved unsustainable, and the targets dried up, going from 39 to 18 final season. Through which course will he go in 2024-25? — ESPN employees
2023-24 rank: 59
Age: 33
The Golden Knights walked away from Marchessault, who had starred with the staff because it entered the league. The feisty ahead takes his skills to Nashville, who hopes that his 42-goal season wasn’t a contract yr aberration. — Wyshynski
2023-24 rank: 42
Age: 31
Zibanejad has helped energy the Rangers’ potent energy play, with 32 targets and 38 assists on the person benefit over the previous two seasons. — Wyshynski
2023-24 rank: 58
Age: 28
A giant physique with a ton of talent, Meier is predicted to play a vital function within the Devils’ turnaround this season. — Wyshynski
2023-24 rank: NA
Age: 33
Kreider is a uncommon expertise within the NHL: an influence ahead with blazing pace who’s extraordinarily good across the opponents’ web whereas additionally being a wonderful penalty killer. — Wyshynski
2023-24 rank: NA
Age: 21
The Stars preserve growing homegrown expertise. That features Johnston, who has been a vital contributor as they search a 3rd straight convention finals look. — Clark
2023-24 rank: NA
Age: 29
Verhaeghe is likely one of the NHL’s best forwards within the common season who turns into considered one of league’s most clutch performers within the postseason, to the tune of 53 factors in 61 profession playoff video games with the Panthers. — Wyshynski
2023-24 rank: 44
Age: 26
Do not let the injury-impacted 2023-24 season idiot you: Thompson continues to be that man who popped for 47 targets and 47 assists two years in the past for the Sabres. — Wyshynski
2023-24 rank: 31
Age: 25
Hischier has established himself as one of many league’s greatest defensive facilities, and he has loads of offensive upside within the center for the Devils. — Wyshynski
2023-24 rank: 37
Age: 39
Ovechkin wants 42 targets to interrupt Wayne Gretzky’s all-time scoring report. He has misplaced a step and did not appear to be himself in any respect within the postseason, however give him the puck and area to shoot, and watch the “Russian Machine” function. — Wyshynski
2023-24 rank: 62
Age: 29
Thought of one of many higher two-way facilities within the NHL, Lindholm ought to thrive taking part in alongside David Pastrnak after signing with the Bruins within the offseason. — Wyshynski
2023-24 rank: 30
Age: 29
Sorokin had his worst season statistically in 2023-24, which nonetheless put him properly above league common in save share (.908). When he is on, few goaltenders can match his potential to take over video games. — Wyshynski
2023-24 rank: 78
Age: 23
Detroit handed Seider a wealthy contract extension after having emerged as their subsequent franchise defenseman in his first three NHL seasons. — Wyshynski
2023-24 rank: 69
Age: 27
Connor isn’t going to contend for the Selke Trophy, however so what? The man fills the web each season, together with having the twelfth highest targets per sport fee within the NHL final season (min. 60 video games). — Wyshynski
2023-24 rank: 72
Age: 31
Whereas his goal-scoring took a tumble final season, Scheifele has been a constant top-line offensive power for the Jets over the previous 14 seasons. — Wyshynski
2023-24 rank: NA
Age: 28
Forsling’s fellow NHLers are apt to name him the league’s most underrated participant, and for good cause. It is onerous to totally recognize every thing Forsling brings to Florida’s prime pairing, from his 5-on-5 execution to penalty killing excellence. — Shilton
2023-24 rank: 45
Age: 37
A two-time Selke Trophy winner, Kopitar continues to be a two-way metronome for a Kings roster that is seeking to get out of the primary spherical for the primary time in a decade. — Clark
2023-24 rank: 49
Age: 31
Hamilton’s worth was underscored by how a lot the Devils missed him final season because of harm, because the smooth-skating and deft-passing defenseman is a relaxing presence. — Wyshynski
2023-24 rank: NA
Age: 22
Faber performed like he was a 10-year veteran throughout his rookie NHL season, posting 47 factors and performing as a steadying presence for the Wild protection corps. — Wyshynski
2023-24 rank: 80
Age: 28
Earlier than the harm final season, Demko was one of many severe favorites for the Vezina Trophy as his performances led the Canucks to ending with greater than 100 factors. — Clark
2023-24 rank: 82
Age: 27
It was by no means a query of if Boeser might rating, however what it will appear to be if he was wholesome for a full season. The end result was his first 40-goal marketing campaign. — Clark
2023-24 rank: 55
Age: 26
Now that Keller & Co. have swapped Tempe for Salt Lake Metropolis, there is a thought that they may probably problem for a playoff spot of their first season. — Clark
2023-24 rank: 54
Age: 28
Larkin tallied three straight 30-goal seasons because the Pink Wings’ prime heart, together with 33 targets in 68 video games final season. — Wyshynski
2023-24 rank: 35
Age: 36
Marchand’s first season taking part in with out Patrice Bergeron noticed him put on the “C” with delight, and proceed to publish massive offensive numbers for the Bruins. — Wyshynski
2023-24 rank: NA
Age: 25
One other new face within the Prime 100, Swayman’s performances final season confirmed he may very well be a No. 1 goaltender who might additionally get paid like one, too. — Clark
2023-24 rank: NA
Age: 24
Dobson is not the most effective offensive defenseman nobody’s speaking about, as his 70-point season caught the eye of the remainder of the NHL. — Wyshynski
2023-24 rank: 88
Age: 19
Labeled because the NHL’s subsequent nice celebrity, Bedard used his rookie yr to guide the Blackhawks in targets, assists and factors whereas successful the Calder Trophy because the league’s prime rookie. — Clark
2023-24 rank: NA
Age: 24
The whole lot he did throughout his breakout final season — ending with 82 regular-season factors and 32 playoff factors — drove Bouchard to make his Prime 100 debut. — Clark
2023-24 rank: 63
Age: 29
Morrissey confirmed that his offensive breakthrough in 2022-23 wasn’t an aberration, tallying 69 factors in 81 video games final season with the Jets. — Wyshynski
2023-24 rank: 91
Age: 27
Barzal’s dynamic offensive sport produced his first point-per-game season since successful rookie of the yr in 2017-18. — Wyshynski
2023-24 rank: 25
Age: 26
McAvoy is one other instance of why groups proceed to hunt defensemen who can do every thing — with the fact {that a} sturdy offensive season in 2024-25 might give him a great shot at his first Norris Trophy. — Clark
2023-24 rank: 33
Age: 34
Few gamers have extra to show than Stamkos, whom the Lightning did not re-sign regardless of a 40-goal season and his place as a franchise icon. — Wyshynski
2023-24 rank: 36
Age: 27
Hintz is a type of two-way facilities who has proven over the previous few years that he can create and rating targets simply as successfully as he can forestall them. — Clark
2023-24 rank: 13
Age: 26
Fox received the Norris Trophy in 2020-21 and has completed within the prime 5 for the award in 4 of his 5 compete NHL seasons. — Wyshynski
2023-24 rank: 26
Age: 24
A 20-goal scorer final season, the brand new Sabres captain is seeking to take his particular person success and parlay it into the Sabres ending a 13-year playoff drought. — Clark
2023-24 rank: 51
Age: 29
Saros was rewarded with a brand new eight-year contract because the Predators’ franchise goalie, having led the NHL in video games performed for 3 straight seasons. — Wyshynski
2023-24 rank: 12
Age: 25
Creativity and confidence are what drives Robertson’s scoring assault — and it is a profitable one. The Stars’ playmaker is a risk all around the ice and consistently finds new methods to pump in pucks. — Shilton
2023-24 rank: 50
Age: 30
As if having the most effective mustache within the NHL weren’t sufficient, Forsberg is coming off his greatest offensive season, with a career-high 48 targets. — Wyshynski
2023-24 rank: 34
Age: 25
At 6-5, Oettinger is the prototypical measurement for an NHL goaltender. He has 30 or extra wins in three straight seasons, persevering with to make the Stars a official Stanley Cup challenger. — Clark
2023-24 rank: 40
Age: 28
There’s versatility to Nylander’s sport — it is what drives his dynamic scoring prowess and why the Leafs are decided to see the always-exciting winger succeed at heart, too. — Shilton
2023-24 rank: 14
Age: 31
The reigning two-time Vezina Trophy winner entered the 2024-25 season simply 25 wins shy of changing into simply the seventh American goalie to succeed in 300 profession victories. — Clark
2023-24 rank: NA
Age: 28
Reinhart’s days flying below the radar are lengthy gone after a 57-goal season that catapulted him to upper-echelon standing amongst NHL scorers — and he isn’t seeking to go wherever. — Shilton
2023-24 rank: 38
Age: 32
Stone is as regular as they arrive, and that is an actual superpower. Reliable scorer, accountable defensively and never afraid to go within the corners. Principally, the overall bundle. — Shilton
2023-24 rank: 95
Age: 31
Coming to Vancouver has seen Miller go from a top-nine choice to a trusted ahead in a number one function. He is coming off the primary 100-point season in his profession because the Canucks look to construct on final season’s division title. — Clark
2023-24 rank: 57
Age: 30
As extra groups shift to utilizing goaltending tandems, the seven-time 30-game winner continues to be one of many few netminders who will be trusted to play greater than 60 video games in a season. — Clark
2023-24 rank: 28
Age: 28
The Rangers’ unequivocal spine is their Vezina Trophy-winning goaltender, whose elite performances — significantly within the postseason — showcase the most effective of his fast instincts and distinctive lateral motion within the crease. — Shilton
2023-24 rank: 19
Age: 25
There is a sensible stability of physicality and talent in Tkachuk’s repertoire, to not point out a ardour that is revealed nightly in his energetic — and generally crushing — interactions with opponents. — Shilton
2023-24 rank: 16
Age: 25
A wizard with the puck and stable in his personal finish, Pettersson is seeking to get again to the 100-point mark he broke by way of two seasons in the past for the Canucks. — Wyshynski
2023-24 rank: 18
Age: 33
A six-time Norris Trophy finalist, the hulking generational defenseman takes over as captain of a Lightning roster that is now coming into a brand new period with Steven Stamkos in Nashville. — Clark
2023-24 rank: 29
Age: 25
Heiskanen’s profile continues to ascend, with two straight seasons of greater than 50 factors for a Stars staff that may mount as severe a Stanley Cup problem as any within the West. — Clark
2023-24 rank: 24
Age: 28
It’s stated that hanging with high-end expertise is a expertise in itself. Level has thrived subsequent to Nikita Kucherov in Tampa Bay, and now he has Jake Guentzel on his wing this season. — Wyshynski
2023-24 rank: 27
Age: 34
Being a No. 1 defensemen within the NHL means being adaptable to any state of affairs. Josi is simply that because the 2020 Norris Trophy winner has constantly proved he will be requested to play a vital half in 5-on-5, power-play and short-handed conditions. — Clark
2023-24 rank: 22
Age: 27
Aho’s nickname has developed through the years, going from “Sea Bass” to simply “Fishy” today. What hasn’t modified is Aho as top-of-the-line two-way facilities within the NHL, with three straight 30-goal campaigns. — Wyshynski
2023-24 rank: 71
Age: 30
Guentzel’s three consecutive 30-plus objective seasons aren’t any fluke, coming from probably the most preeminent net-front scorers within the league. It is little surprise Tampa Bay went all-in on including that efficiency to their lineup. — Shilton
2023-24 rank: 17
Age: 27
“Kirill the Thrill” has the sixth-most targets within the NHL since 2021-22 (133), topping the 40-goal mark in three straight seasons for the Wild. — Wyshynski
2023-24 rank: 9
Age: 28
Vegas’ top-line heart can placed on a playmaking masterclass for the Golden Knights whereas wielding a sharply developed two-way sport. And Eichel elevates everybody round him within the course of, too. — Shilton
2023-24 rank: 4
Age: 23
Lengthy thought-about to be one of many sport’s subsequent nice superstars, the center brother of the Hughes trio has proven he is greater than able to being a top-line heart. An injury-riddled 2023-24 marketing campaign noticed him end with 27 targets and 74 factors in 62 video games. A wholesome Hughes might get the Devils again into the playoffs after a one-year hiatus. — Clark
2023-24 rank: 20
Age: 27
Marner’s repute as one of many NHL’s premier playmakers has been properly earned. However the Leafs’ top-line winger is a strong goal-scoring risk, too, with 4 consecutive 20-plus objective campaigns below his belt. — Shilton
2023-24 rank: 23
Age: 37
At 37 years outdated, Crosby continues to be a dominant offensive power, with 42 targets final season, doing all he can to pry open the Penguins’ Cup rivalry window. — Wyshynski
2023-24 rank: 60
Age: 25
The previous 12 months noticed Hughes command extra consideration, and with good cause. He went from being named captain of the Canucks to serving to them come inside a win of reaching the Western Convention finals. And for all his contributions, Hughes received the Norris Trophy. This was a giant summer time for him personally, as he and his two brothers, Luke and Jack, are the NHL 25 cowl athletes. — Clark
2023-24 rank: 10
Age: 28
When Pasta cooks, targets occur. The Bruins winger is second within the NHL in targets over the previous 4 seasons, together with 47 targets and 110 factors final season. — Wyshynski
2023-24 rank: 15
Age: 29
For years, Barkov was the straightforward reply to the query of “Who’s the NHL’s most underrated participant?” Because the Panthers have risen to nationwide prominence, it is allowed extra individuals to see what makes the two-way heart one of many sport’s most full gamers, one who captained the staff to the Stanley Cup in 2024. — Clark
2023-24 rank: 6
Age: 29
Draisaitl is consistently discovering methods to raise his personal sport — and that lifts everybody round him. Equal components playmaker (with 5 100-plus-point efforts prior to now six seasons) and objective scorer (he is good for 40-plus most seasons), Draisaitl is a uniquely elite expertise. — Shilton
2023-24 rank: 7
Age: 28
Having Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar merely is not sufficient for the Avs. Rantanen is a 6-4 winger who has authored 5 seasons of greater than 30 targets, and as many seasons of greater than 50 assists. As of now, he is additionally the clear prime participant on the 2025 NHL free company listing. — Clark
2023-24 rank: 32
Age: 32
It is one factor to hit profession highs in targets (49) and factors (120) like Panarin did final season. However to succeed in these milestones at 32 — and in his ninth NHL season? Panarin appears to be getting higher with age. — Shilton
2023-24 rank: 5
Age: 27
Matthews is already a three-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner because the league’s prime objective scorer, and continues to enhance as one of many league’s dominant two-way facilities. He has lengthy been setting a excessive normal in Toronto on a number of ranges — and now there is a “C” on his sweater to show it — Shilton
2023-24 rank: 11
Age: 26
The proficient, tenacious and all the time entertaining Tkachuk is a real particular person. He is an elite-level pest for the Panthers, balancing hard-nosed hockey with prolific offensive potential — Shilton
2023-24 rank: 2
Age: 25
Younger, puck-moving defensemen have become a necessity in at this time’s NHL. Gamers akin to Makar, who received the Norris Trophy because the league’s prime defenseman in 2022, are why. His potential to manage a sport in 5-on-5 conditions and the ability play have develop into pivotal to the Avs’ potential to manage video games since he made his debut again in 2018. — Clark
2023-24 rank: 3
Age: 29
The reigning Hart Trophy winner because the league’s most beneficial participant is seeking to construct on what was his strongest particular person marketing campaign. MacKinnon’s potential to make use of his measurement, pace and power not solely makes him one of many NHL’s greatest threats, however one that would assist his staff win its second Stanley Cup since 2022. — Clark
2023-24 rank: 8
Age: 31
Kucherov rewrote the Lightning report ebook final season with a career-best 144 factors, changing into the fifth participant in NHL historical past to tally 100 assists in a season. From a point-production standpoint over the previous decade, just one participant has achieved it higher than Kucherov. — Wyshynski
2023-24 rank: 1
Age: 27
The perfect hockey participant on the earth was one win away from a singular achievement in sports activities historical past as he carried the Oilers again from a 3-0 deficit within the Stanley Cup Ultimate. Statistically, nobody can contact him: McDavid is greater than 120 factors away from the next-highest scorer over the previous 10 seasons. It is only a matter of time earlier than that mastery manifests right into a championship. — Wyshynski