It takes a couple of elite participant to win the Stanley Cup. The repeat champion Florida Panthers proceed to show that’s true — and the outcomes of the NHL Rank ballot for the 2025-26 season bear that out.
We requested a panel of ESPN broadcasters, analysts, reporters and editors to fee gamers primarily based on how good they are going to be this season in contrast with their friends. Emphasis was positioned on their worth for this coming season, which explains why gamers who’re out injured (however anticipated to return) is perhaps decrease than in the event that they have been wholesome now.
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Within the case of the Panthers, this put Matthew Tkachuk a bit decrease than traditional, whereas Aleksander Barkov (who is anticipated to overlook the common season, if not longer) didn’t make the lower within the high 100.
However, the defending champs put six gamers within the high 100, which was behind solely the Dallas Stars‘ seven for many gamers to make the listing.
As for people, Connor McDavid continued his reign as the highest vote-getter, holding down the No. 1 spot once more, as he did for 2024-25 and 2023-24 and 2022-22 and 2021-22 and … you get the thought.
Right here’s the 1-100 listing for 2025-26, that includes write-ups courtesy of ESPN reporters Ryan S. Clark, Kristen Shilton, Greg Wyshynski and editorial employees.
2024-25 rank: 1Age: 28
Merely put, McDavid is the perfect participant on the planet, the perfect participant of his technology, and will end his profession as among the best to ever contact a puck. An eight-time 100-point scorer, McDavid has captained the Oilers to consecutive Stanley Cup Finals; this season, the target is having Edmonton win its first title since 1990. — Clark
2024-25 rank: 4Age: 26
Many sorts of gamers are wanted to win within the NHL. Amongst them, a puck-moving defenseman who may also be trusted to play heavy minutes in each state of affairs. Makar is simply that, because the two-time Norris Trophy winner (given to the NHL’s finest defenseman) is trusted to drive play in each state of affairs. — Clark
2024-25 rank: 3Age: 30
The Avalanche? Staff Canada? It doesn’t matter. Any crew that has MacKinnon goes to pose a critical risk to win on a nightly foundation. His mixture of management, energy, pace and unpredictability has made him among the best on the planet. Like McDavid, he has an opportunity to win a gold medal and a Stanley Cup in the identical season. In contrast to McDavid, the Cup can be his second after the Avs’ win in 2022. — Clark
2024-25 rank: 9Age: 30
Since 2022-23, Draisaitl is second in targets scored (146) and targets per sport (0.63). He’s a dominating offensive star who way back put to mattress the notion that he was merely a product of his teammate, Connor McDavid. — Wyshynski
2024-25 rank: 2Age: 32
Kucherov led the NHL in factors for a second consecutive season and for the third time since 2019. He can both rating targets or create them for his teammates, which has been integral to the Lightning profitable two titles throughout his time with the one membership he has ever recognized. — Clark
2024-25 rank: 31Age: 32
Solely 4 goalies within the NHL’s growth period (since 1967) have gained the Hart Trophy as league MVP; Hellebuyck joined the fraternity in 2025, taking his spot with Carey Worth, Jose Theodore and Dominik Hasek. Can Hellebuyck be a part of Hasek as the one goaltenders to tug off the feat two years in a row? — ESPN employees
2024-25 rank: 12Age: 26
Suggesting that Hughes can do every part requested of a recent defenseman isn’t an overstatement. The consistency he has proven in each state of affairs has made him one of many sport’s finest gamers, and somebody who might be instrumental in the US’ chase for a gold medal on the Olympics. — Clark
2024-25 rank: 6Age: 28
There aren’t many purpose scorers who’re as pure as Matthews, who possess the form of shot each participant covets. He has tallied 30-plus targets in each season of his profession — regardless of accidents — and does all of it for the Leafs as a standout 200-foot middle. — Shilton
2024-25 rank: 16Age: 29
Expertise has by no means been the query with Eichel. However final season, he unlocked facets of his sport which have made him one of the vital full facilities in hockey. He’ll assist push his crew to seize its second title since 2023, whereas additionally serving to the U.S. in its push for Olympic gold. — Clark
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2024-25 rank: 8Age: 29
May his first full season in Dallas be the one which sees the Stars win the Stanley Cup that has eluded them over the previous few years? Rantanen left Colorado within the NHL’s greatest commerce final season after which made his method again to the Central Division in a subsequent deal. However with a long-term pact in hand, he’ll be a key participant for the Stars for the foreseeable future. — Clark
2024-25 rank: 11Age: 29
Pastrnak has scored over 40 targets in 4 consecutive seasons. Given his profession whole with the Bruins (391 getting into this season), he might transfer all the best way to 3rd in franchise historical past if he notches one other 40 targets in 2025-26. — Wyshynski
2024-25 rank: 27Age: 31
Some may need surmised that Vasilevskiy was heading right into a decline primarily based on 2023-24, when his save proportion dipped to .900 after seven straight seasons at .915 or larger. The 2024-25 marketing campaign ended that discuss, as he registered a .921 mark together with a 2.18 GAA and 38 wins. The “Big Cat” can nonetheless roar. — ESPN employees
2024-25 rank: 30Age: 29
The Panthers pulled off a singular feat final season, inserting two gamers within the high two spots in Selke Trophy voting. Florida captain Aleksander Barkov — who gained the award — is probably going out till April (if not longer), that means Reinhart and others should choose up the slack on each ends of the ice. The scoring half gained’t be an issue, as Reinhart has 127 targets up to now three seasons mixed. — ESPN employees
2024-25 rank: 26Age: 29
A one-time Vezina Trophy winner (for now), Shesterkin is definitely the perfect participant drafted at No. 118 in NHL historical past. If the Rangers fail to make the postseason once more, it gained’t be due to their celebrity goaltender. — ESPN employees
2024-25 rank: 17Age: 28
All anybody must learn about Kaprizov and his worth might be seen final season. Earlier than he acquired damage, he was among the many front-runners for the Hart Trophy, and the Wild seemed as if they might win the Central. However an harm meant that Kaprizov performed in simply 41 regular-season video games. The Wild struggled to attain targets in his absence earlier than his eventual return helped them seize a wild-card spot. — Clark
2024-25 rank: 25Age: 26
Brady Tkachuk captained the Senators to their first Stanley Cup playoff berth since 2017. His purpose scoring and physicality will probably be important not solely to Ottawa within the NHL, but additionally to Staff USA within the 2026 Olympics. — Wyshynski
2024-25 rank: 23Age: 34
The 6-7 blueliner stays a dominant presence in each ends of the ice: 66 factors in 79 video games final season, whereas utilizing physicality and his appreciable wingspan to disrupt opponents in his personal zone. — Wyshynski
2024-25 rank: 14Age: 28
Marner is the distinctive skater who dominates individually whereas additionally elevating actually any linemate he’s paired with. A power on particular groups — his penalty killing is especially good — Marner is extra more likely to attempt establishing a purpose than making an attempt to attain one himself. And the Golden Knights are relying on his playmaking to hold them for years to come back — Shilton
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2024-25 rank: 35Age: 26
A part of the Stars’ legendary 2017 draft class (with Miro Heiskanen and Jake Oettinger), Robertson has 269 factors in 246 video games the previous three common seasons. His line with Roope Hintz and Mikko Rantanen will probably be one of many NHL’s most harmful this season. — ESPN employees
2024-25 rank: 58Age: 28
The Michigan native eliminated any sense of uncertainty for subsequent summer season by signing a team-record $96 million contract extension on the eve of the season — then opened the marketing campaign with a hat trick towards the Stars. He’ll even be a key participant for the U.S. within the Olympic Video games. — ESPN employees
2024-25 rank: 13Age: 38
Father Time? Crosby has by no means heard of him, apparently. The Penguins captain is taking part in as properly now as he has all through a legendary profession that saved Pittsburgh as a contender for practically 20 years. And Crosby exhibits no indicators of eager to decelerate. — Shilton
2024-25 rank: 55Age: 38
Season No. 20 would be the final one within the NHL for Kopitar, by far the perfect hockey participant ever from Slovenia — he has outscored second-place Jan Mursak 1,281-4 heading into this season. — ESPN employees
2024-25 rank: 63Age: 26
The Devils captain constructed one other robust case for a Selke Trophy in 2024-25 and completed fourth within the voting, garnering 11 first-place votes. One other standout season might see him land within the finalists’ circle. — ESPN employees
2024-25 rank: 49Age: 29
The guts and soul of the Purple Wings, Larkin turned heads together with his glorious two-way play through the 4 Nations Face-Off. Can he lead the Purple Wings again to the postseason? — ESPN employees
2024-25 rank: 22Age: 26
There are sitcoms which have episodes with lesser run time than Heiskanen averages in a sport. He’s ceaselessly within the dialogue for the league’s finest shutdown defenseman, and he’d obtain much more acclaim if he had offensive numbers much like a few of his friends. — Clark
2024-25 rank: 32Age: 29
With Mitch Marner now plying his commerce for the Golden Knights, the Leafs will want continued manufacturing out of the elite scorers who stay — and Nylander is definitely considered one of them, with 125 targets up to now three seasons mixed. — ESPN employees
2024-25 rank: 34Age: 31
Forsberg was not proof against no matter plagued the Predators in 2024-25, as his 76 factors was a steep decline from 94 the season prior. Will 2025-26 be a rebound for him personally and for his crew? — ESPN employees
2024-25 rank: 19Age: 28
The highest middle on the Hurricanes, Aho is a point-per-game offensive participant whose defensive play matches the Carolina custom of two-way play. — Wyshynski
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2024-25 rank: 62Age: 40
The best purpose scorer in NHL historical past started the 2025-26 marketing campaign with 897 profession tallies. What number of will he add to his whole this season — and can it’s his final within the NHL? — ESPN employees
2024-25 rank: 64Age: 27
One of many snubs left off the US’ 4 Nations Face-Off roster, the 27-year-old Thompson has further motivation to get off to a quick begin to get his title on the listing for the Olympics. Getting on a tempo for 40-plus targets (as he has accomplished twice in his younger profession) can be a great begin. — ESPN employees
2024-25 rank: 39Age: 28
A part of the Stars’ “Finnish Mafia,” Hintz’s 200-foot sport implies that opponents need to assemble their sport plan round him. — ESPN employees
2024-25 rank: 21Age: 29
Level had at all times been a harmful offensive participant, however his purpose scoring has exploded over the previous three seasons (139 targets) whereas taking passes from former league MVP Nikita Kucherov on his wing. — Wyshynski
2024-25 rank: 24Age: 26
Does Elias Pettersson nonetheless belong among the many high 25 gamers within the NHL? That’s what the Canucks star is making an attempt to show in 2025-26 after accidents and locker room drama contributed to the worst offensive season of his profession. — Wyshynski
2024-25 rank: 18Age: 31
Jake Guentzel has earned the possibility to skate with the best. He was Sidney Crosby’s linemate for eight seasons in Pittsburgh. Final season, his first with the Lightning, he scored a career-high 41 targets on a line with Nikita Kucherov. — Wyshynski
2024-25 rank: 33Age: 26
The person they name “Otter” has been every part the Stars needed after they chose him twenty sixth within the 2017 draft, together with 151 wins in 253 profession video games and a 2.54 GAA. — ESPN employees
2024-25 rank: 15Age: 24
When Jack Hughes is within the lineup, he’s one of the vital gifted playmakers within the NHL, averaging 1.13 factors per sport final season. The trick has been staying within the lineup, as Hughes has performed over 70 video games solely as soon as up to now 4 seasons with the Devils. — Wyshynski
2024-25 rank: 28Age: 32
The most recent captain of the Rangers was introduced in to set a brand new tone because the Blueshirts hope their playoff absence final season was an aberration. — ESPN employees
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2024-25 rank: 7Age: 33
The Rangers have had their ups and downs. Panarin has been a spark plug of their offense by all of it. His pace, imaginative and prescient and playmaking expertise are high finish, and when he’s persistently contributing, New York can look unstoppable up entrance. — Shilton
2024-25 rank: NRAge: 24
The 5-8 scoring winger has earned social media shoutouts from fellow Wisconsin native J.J. Watt and is trying to breach the 40-goal benchmark after notching 37 final season. — ESPN employees
2024-25 rank: 50Age: 27
The Chesterfield, Missouri, native is among the NHL’s underappreciated scorers, with 90 factors in 81 video games final season. That may change if the Mammoth qualify for the postseason this spring. — ESPN employees
2024-25 rank: 74Age: 28
Maybe no participant boosted his inventory extra through the 4 Nations Face-Off than Werenski, who’s arguably Columbus’ most vital participant. — ESPN employees
2024-25 rank: NRAge: 23
A rising star for the Hurricanes and Staff Canada — and on “FaceOff: Inside the NHL” — Jarvis will probably be a essential participant in Carolina’s quest for its first Cup since 2006. — ESPN employees
2024-25 rank: 57Age: 32
The primary participant drafted by the Jets 2.0 franchise after relocating from Atlanta, Scheifele continues to fill the stat sheet as each scorer and playmaker. — ESPN employees
2024-25 rank: 79Age: 27
Whether or not Jack Hughes is within the lineup or not, Bratt continues to drive offense for the Devils, with 171 factors in 163 video games the previous two common seasons. — ESPN employees
2024-25 rank: 20Age: 35
What makes him the best hockey participant Switzerland has ever seen has been the consistency. A risk to succeed in double figures in targets, Josi is equally efficient within the defensive zone, as he has anchored the Preds’ defensive setup for greater than a decade. — Clark
2024-25 rank: 85Age: 29
Kings followers have recognized of Kempe’s scoring prowess for a lot of seasons — and the ESPN voting panel has lastly caught up. Because the Kings transfer on from the Kopitar period starting subsequent season, Kempe will proceed to be a foundational participant. — ESPN employees
2024-25 rank: 83Age: 37
The legends of “Playoff Bob” are many, because the Russian veteran has backstopped the previous two Cup champs. However, he continues to be a dependable regular-season netminder as properly, with 69 wins and a sub-2.50 GAA the previous two seasons mixed. — ESPN employees
2024-25 rank: 86Age: 23
The newest elite Scandinavian import plying his commerce for the Purple Wings, Raymond will look to eclipse his career-best 80 factors from 2024-25. — ESPN employees
2024-25 rank: 53Age: 23
Faber completed second for the Calder Trophy following the 2023-24 season and has grow to be a blue-line bedrock for his house state Wild. — ESPN employees
2024-25 rank: 71Age: 23
A close to point-per-game participant for the previous two common seasons, the 23-year-old native of Germany added 5 targets within the Sens’ six-game return to the playoffs in 2025. — ESPN employees
2024-25 rank: NRAge: 19
2024-25 rank: 38Age: 27
2024-25 rank: NRAge: 24
2024-25 rank: NRAge: 35
2024-25 rank: 44Age: 25
2024-25 rank: NRAge: 22
2024-25 rank: 45Age: 20
2024-25 rank: 41Age: 27
2024-25 rank: 88Age: 27
2024-25 rank: 37Age: 25
2024-25 rank: 66Age: 22
2024-25 rank: 46Age: 25
2024-25 rank: HMAge: 26
2024-25 rank: 68Age: 29
2024-25 rank: 48Age: 37
2024-25 rank: 60Age: 30
2024-25 rank: 72Age: 35
2024-25 rank: 96Age: 31
2024-25 rank: 95Age: 26
2024-25 rank: NRAge: 26
2024-25 rank: 42Age: 28
2024-25 rank: 5Age: 27
2024-25 rank: 82Age: 31
2024-25 rank: NRAge: 20
2024-25 rank: NRAge: 31
2024-25 rank: 90Age: 29
2024-25 rank: NRAge: 21
2024-25 rank: NRAge: 27
2024-25 rank: 43Age: 30
2024-25 rank: 29Age: 33
2024-25 rank: NRAge: 24
2024-25 rank: HMAge: 26
2024-25 rank: 40Age: 35
2024-25 rank: 59Age: 24
2024-25 rank: NRAge: 31
2024-25 rank: NRAge: 23
2024-25 rank: NRAge: 20
2024-25 rank: NRAge: 23
2024-25 rank: NRAge: 23
2024-25 rank: 84Age: 31
2024-25 rank: 76Age: 32
2024-25 rank: 36Age: 30
2024-25 rank: NRAge: 22
2024-25 rank: NRAge: 27
2024-25 rank: 47Age: 26
2024-25 rank: 93Age: 27
2024-25 rank: HMAge: 21
2024-25 rank: NRAge: 22
2024-25 rank: 78Age: 33
2024-25 rank: NRAge: 30
Honorable mentions
Be aware: Gamers are listed in alphabetical order.
Mackenzie Blackwood, G, Colorado AvalancheLeo Carlsson, C, Anaheim DucksThatcher Demko, G, Vancouver CanucksNikolaj Ehlers, LW, Carolina HurricanesAaron Ekblad, D, Florida PanthersDougie Hamilton, D, New Jersey DevilsTomas Hertl, C, Vegas Golden KnightsEvgeni Malkin, C, Pittsburgh PenguinsColton Parayko, D, St. Louis BluesDylan Strome, C, Washington Capitals
