NHL Insiders
This week, we canvassed a panel of more than 50 ESPN broadcasters, analysts, reporters and editors to determine the 2023-24 edition of NHL Rank.
Upon publication, everyone on the internet agreed completely with the results!
(Or something like that …)
In order to further dissect what our voters got right (and wrong), along with what’s to come in 2024-25 and beyond for Connor Bedard and other young superstars, we gathered a panel to debate our top 100:
Jump ahead:
Who’s the biggest snub?
Who is ranked too high?
Who is ranked too low?
Where does Bedard rank next year?
Name your top 5 for 2026-27
Who was the biggest snub outside the top 100?
Ryan S. Clark, NHL reporter: Evgeni Malkin, and not only because of how he’s started the season. Last season was the first time in more than a decade he played all 82 games. It was only the third time he had played more than 80 games in a season. The result: 83 points and a team-leading 25 power-play assists. We talk a lot about how certain players will perform as they get closer to 40. Malkin, who turned 37 in the offseason, had one of the strongest campaigns of an over-35 player last season.
Editor’s Picks
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Kristen Shilton, NHL reporter: Trevor Zegras is already one of the league’s most electric, creative, dynamic skaters — and it feels like the third-year pro has only begun scratching the surface of what he’ll eventually be capable of achieving. That alone is enough to see him earn top-100 status. Zegras notched back-to-back 60-plus-point campaigns to start his career, and those were on some lackluster Anaheim teams. But the Ducks’ burgeoning star makes his own luck, and even if he fell short this time, there are many years ahead in which Zegras should be a fixture on this list.
Greg Wyshynski, NHL reporter: Chris Kreider of the New York Rangers is one of the best net-front players in the NHL and is one season removed from scoring 52 goals. (His 36 goals in 79 games last season weren’t too shabby either.) How many top-line wingers can bring his level of scoring and physicality while also being an exceptional penalty killer? The list might be “Chris Kreider.”
Who is too high on the list?
Clark: Linus Ullmark — especially when you look at the fact that he’s rated higher than Juuse Saros and Andrei Vasilevskiy. How does one value a goaltender who has split the workload in a tandem versus a goalie who has a much greater workload? That seems to be the big question with this one, given Ullmark was part of the NHL’s best tandem last season, while Saros faced more shots than anyone and Vasilevskiy was one of seven goalies to make more than 60 starts last season.
Öcal: The technically “correct” answer is Connor Bedard, who makes a top 100 list for a league in which he has played four games so far. For the record, I’m on team all-hype — he’s transcending the hockey bubble right now, and that’s a good thing. If we are looking strictly at NHL game play, it’s silly, but overall it’s absolutely not for Bedard. In fact, many wouldn’t bat an eye if he was higher.
Shilton: Connor Hellebuyck landing as the highest-ranked goalie was a surprise. Granted, Hellebuyck is coming off a great season — and could be poised to produce another — but there are arguments to be made for Ilya Sorokin, Jake Oettinger or Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark to rise above Hellebuyck at No. 14. It is difficult to compare one goaltender to another, especially based on workload, backup usage, team structure, etc. Hellebuyck in the top 15 and being the top-ranked goalie might be a bit much. Or, the former Vezina winner will swiftly prove as the season gets going exactly why he deserved so much love in the rankings.
Wyshynski: By the end of this season, it’s possible Jakob Chychrun could be considered one of the top 50 players in the NHL. The problem is that we’ve theorized this in previous seasons, and his point production and, most importantly, his health haven’t validated that. As it stands, I can’t see putting the Ottawa Senators defenseman in the first 50, and I certainly don’t see him ahead of defensemen like New Jersey’s Dougie Hamilton (50), Tampa Bay’s Mikhail Sergachev (54), Pittsburgh’s Kris Letang (57, although I appreciate the numerical shoutout to Heinz) and especially Vancouver’s Quinn Hughes (61).
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Who is too low on the list (in the top 100)?
Clark: It’s Juuse Saros. Going back to the earlier discussion about shots faced and overall workload, Saros takes on all that and more. The Predators are a team that struggled for goals at times last season and yet were still within striking distance of a playoff spot thanks to their goalie. Honorable mention for this question goes to Roope Hintz for everything he does for the Dallas Stars.
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Öcal: Leon Draisaitl at No. 6. I would have him at No. 3, but pushing for No. 2. He’s firmly in the conversation, often in the lead, for second-best player in the NHL. No debate about McDavid at No. 1. I accept Cale Makar at No. 2, because he’s a unicorn. Nathan MacKinnon, Jack Hughes and Auston Matthews are absolutely in the running, but my vote goes to Leon of that group.
Shilton: Josh Morrissey should be in the top 50. It’s not just that he produced excellent numbers last season (76 points in 78 games, the second-highest total among all league defenders) but Morrissey’s value to the Jets is unparalleled. He does it all from the back end, averaging over 24 minutes of ice time per game, with contributions at 5-on-5 and across special teams. When Winnipeg needs a boost, it’s Morrissey who can provide it, whether as a steady presence on the blue line or stepping up into the rush and creating a spark.
Wyshynski: Over the past two seasons, only three defensemen have amassed more points than Vancouver’s Quinn Hughes: Roman Josi (28th in our rankings), Cale Makar (second) and Adam Fox (14th). Hughes needs a telescope to see them, as the voters placed him all the way back at No. 61, in back of 14 other defensemen. While there’s no doubt the 22-year-old has some growing to do defensively, Hughes is as elite as they come offensively. An argument could be made for top 50 … at least until rookie Luke Hughes, whom Quinn said is better than he is, comes surging up the charts.
Where will Connor Bedard be ranked next season?
Clark: Somewhere in the top 60, with the caveat that it could change substantially. Reigning Calder Trophy winner Matty Beniers is 68th. By that logic, it’s possible that if Bedard wins the Calder and has a similar season to Beniers, then, the top 60 seems like a realistic range; then again, a big breakthrough season would send him even higher.
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Öcal: 18th. Yes, I’m calling my shot here.
Shilton: Bedard’s early returns have been so strong, it’s tempting to overpredict and say he lands in the top 50 for sure. But that’s not realistic. There are inevitable growing pains to come at the NHL level even for the (let’s call it now!) eventual Calder Trophy winner. Bedard should easily make his way into the mid-60s on next year’s ranking. If he checks in anywhere higher than that, consider it a bonus — and reflective of a truly excellent rookie season.
Wyshynski: There are only two players 22 years old or younger in the top 50: New Jersey’s Jack Hughes at No. 4 overall and Ottawa’s Tim Stutzle at No. 22. Hughes earned that placement after a 99-point season, and Stutzle is coming off a 90-point season. So rather than his goal total, which should be robust, I think Bedard’s point total will determine his placement next season. I think a jump to around 55th overall in the 2024-25 NHL Rank wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility.
Predict the top five for 2026-27:
Clark: Connor McDavid, Cale Makar, Nathan MacKinnon, Auston Matthews and Jack Hughes
Öcal: Connor McDavid, Connor Bedard, Jack Hughes, Quinn Hughes, Luke Hughes, Auston Matthews
Shilton: Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, Cale Makar, Jack Hughes, David Pastrnak
Wyshynski: Connor McDavid, Cale Makar, Auston Matthews, Jack Hughes, Elias Pettersson