But as a result, they still don’t have a very rich senior class and they didn’t pursue the portal to accent this group. Thus it still feels like they’re a year away, especially in adding another huge freshman class, one that doesn’t have a lot of drafted players nor obvious top tier USHL stars. PSU should still be decent and competitive in a tough B1G but seems more like an ongoing retool while they grow and develop the 14 freshmen and sophomores on the roster.
Fantasy & Games
If he can, he will likely jump back up this list, but he has fallen a bit over these last two years. This remains one of the least talented rosters in the conference and it’s also not a very old one either, skewing heavily towards freshmen/sophomores like PSU. A recent Ontario kids’ hockey game between seven and eight-year-olds was halted after parents and at least one coach started brawling in the stands. The violence broke out at the season-opening tournament for the Klevr League, which attracts some of Ontario’s best young players.
Matthew Tkachuk I LW I Florida Panthers
This feels like the right level of competition for him right now, challenging enough that he’s not going to score two points each night but manageable enough for him to be one of the best players on his team. He had a great season with the Coachella Valley Firebirds and is looking like the player everyone thought would go first overall back in 2022 once again. Dickinson’s defensive game has shone in an increased role this year and his offense has improved as well, nearly tripling his previous career high for points. There’s a ton of two-way, top-four defender potential in his game, and room for something more if his offensive numbers from this year are to be believed. Jonathan Lekkerimäki had a really tough post-draft season, with multiple injuries/illnesses ruining any momentum he tried to build. That was true all year until the Allsvenskan playoffs where he seemed to finally look like his old self again, scoring 15 points in 15 games.
Jason Robertson, LW, Dallas Stars
The 24-year-old is coming off a second consecutive 40-goal campaign, finishing with over 100 points for the first time in his career. Along with Roope Hintz and Joe Pavelski, the smooth-skating winger forms the most dominant forward trio in hockey. He combines size and aggression with slick skill, showcasing some of https://gambibet.org/ the best hands in the league while not being afraid to muck things up. After he was acquired by the Panthers last summer, he emerged as the face of the franchise, posting his second consecutive 100-point season. Tkachuk’s clutch run in the playoffs was the cherry on top of a sensational first season in Florida.
Connor McDavid, F, Edmonton Oilers
His skating is his best tool both on offense and on defense, but he could use some help defensively where he can get pushed around a bit. Okay, I may have under-sold Brzustewicz’s offense already, he finished last season 10th in OHL scoring and led the league in assists with 79. He has second-pairing potential in the NHL, especially if paired with a solid defensive defender who can make up for his deficiencies on that end. He’s extremely deceptive when setting up his teammates and has a very underrated shot. Lysell has spent the last two seasons in the AHL where he has been excellent for the Providence Bruins, scoring 87 points in 110 total games. It won’t be long before he debuts in Boston, and I think his skating will make him stand out at the NHL level from day-one.
William Wallinder, LD, Detroit Red Wings
If you’re wondering why goalies weren’t included in this ranking, that’s because we have a separate article for that position. Doughty’s leadership, experiences, and impact on every game make him a valuable asset, and he is still one of the top two-way defensemen in the game. He hasn’t had a true long-term partner for the majority of his career, and having an anchor on his pair could help propel his game even further. This site is not endorsed by, sponsored by, or affiliated with these schools or teams. Modern hockey emerged in England in the mid-19th century and was developed at private schools (like Eton) throughout the country.
Kids’ hockey game halted as parents brawl in the stands
He’s a very responsible defender who shuts down tons of rush attempts with an active stick and stellar positioning. He finished the season as the second highest scoring U20 player in the league behind only Leo Carlsson and was a net-positive player even as a teenager in a very difficult professional league. Kasper then made the move to the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins last season, and while the transition wasn’t the smoothest, his play and production picked up significantly in the new year. Fraser Minten has developed very well since being drafted 38th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs back in the 2022 Draft.
- A lot of high expectations will be placed on him after his incredible performances in the playoffs, but luckily for him, he has an outstanding defense in front of him in Vancouver.
- McGroarty won’t lead your team in scoring, but he’ll do a whole lot of other things at a very high level.
- He scored six points in his first six games, but slowed down significantly, finishing the season with 11 points after 63 regular season games.
- With Celebrini looking like the team’s future 1C, Smith will get the chance to feast on easier competition on the second line which I think will benefit him greatly.
- There’s been plenty of discourse surrounding the Maple Leafs’ “Core Four.” Over the last two seasons, including playoffs, you can certainly argue Nylander has been the most consistent out of the quartet.
- Bourque had a great rookie season in the AHL here he established himself as a great pro player with a 47 point rookie year which included 20 goals.
- He was one of the best goal-scorers for the last decade and a half, one of the best leaders in the game, and still brings a ton of offense every night.
- He has a great shot, but more often than not he scores goals because he slipped his defender and managed to find the space and time necessary to score a goal.
- His 14 assists are tied for fourth in the league, and his six power-play helpers slot him in the same spot.
Moritz Seider, Detroit Red Wings
The New Jersey Devils and Tampa Bay Lightning lead the charge with six players each in the top 100, while the Anaheim Ducks and Philadelphia Flyers failed to get anyone on our list. Positionally, centers continue to dominate, with 34 of 100 slots and six of the top 10. Defensemen accounted for 28 of 100 spots, while nine goalies made the top 100 (and only one in the top 25). As for the wings, left wings win this round, with 18 in the top 100 compared to 11 right wings. Ullmark’s play was a big reason the Bruins broke the regular-season records for most points and wins last year. The Boston goaltender was sensational in net, leading the league in wins (48), GAA (1.89) and SV% (.938) en route to his first Vezina win.
- Had Makar played a full season last year, there’s a chance he would be entering this year as a back-to-back Norris Trophy winner.
- Since signing with the Ottawa Senators, he has been a fantastic addition to the top six and as a quality leader in the locker room.
- He posted 66 points in 67 games in the regular season before contributing 26 points in 20 games in his first playoff run, culminating in a Stanley Cup win.
- Perreault scored at an absurd rate in his draft year, with 132 points in 63 games, setting the single-season record in the NTDP, surpassing players like Matthews, Hughes, and Clayton Keller.
- Goyette was one of the best players in the OHL last season and I think he has a chance to be an excellent pro player next season with the Firebirds in the AHL.
Leon Draisaitl, C, Oilers
There may be an adjustment upsizing to a starter’s workload if they want him to play 35 games but I like that get for the Nittanys. PSU’s high-event, high-scoring style really rests on having a good goalie so if they can get this right, that’s a huge boost. Glass, but certainly not least (especially with the other Sharks on this list), we have the newest addition to the Sharks in Yaroslav Askarov. Following the theme of young prospects who want out of their current situations, Askarov asked to be traded out of Nashville after Jose Saros’ extension was signed this offseason. He proved that last season in the AHL for the Milwaukee Admirals and has the power and reaction speed to command his crease at a high level. He will undoubtedly be fighting for the starting job against Vitek Vanecek and Mackenzie Blackwood, but his ceiling as a goalie is one of the best out there.
- Moldenhauer, Hallum, Eernisse, Werner, Humphreys could all reasonably chip in something in that range and then you’re hoping to get from Hughes and Schifsky based on their production last season.
- The Nashville goaltender led the league in goals saved above expected, finishing with a rate of 46.7.
- I am notoriously harsh on the boring veteran types who get 40 to 50 points a year in their sleep, such as J.T.
- He looked much more comfortable with the North American game over the course of his first season and grew a lot on ice from his NHL pre-season games to the NHL games he played toward the end of the year.
- Oliver Moore was the best skater from the 2023 draft class with blazing speed and excellent agility.
- Look for him to have a lot of opportunities this season, as Pittsburgh will be in an interesting position not only this season but for years to come.
- The veteran netminder also thrived during the regular season with a 2.37 goals-against-average and .915 save percentage.
- Few OHL defenders are capable of slowing him down in transition where his quick weight shifts and deceptive posture can be incredibly difficult to read.
- With Selke Trophy votes in two of the last three years, his defensive play has been on notice, and that is part of what makes him so valuable to the strong defensive team, the Islanders.
Ranking the top 50 NHL players in 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs
It’s what he did in the half-decade after that, when his Penguins era seemed to have run its course, the captain turning trade chatter into back-to-back Stanley Cups, and back-to-back Conn Smythe trophies. And over the past two campaigns, it’s what Crosby’s done again, putting up a pair of 90-point seasons — and the third-best goal-scoring effort of his career — as he approaches his 40s. He’s upped the ante even more of late, growing into peak form over the past two seasons with a pair of 100-point campaigns and 97 goals over that span, too. In that two-year stretch, only two wingers in the league have managed to outscore Rantanen, and only one’s managed to rack up more goals than the Colorado stalwart. Now, entering the final year of his contract, all eyes will be on whether the Avs and the veteran Finn can agree on a deal that keeps him in Denver long-term. There is a legitimate argument to have Auston Matthews as high as number two on this list.
Brad Marchand, LW, Bruins
Reinhart, who is in line for a big payday this summer, is someone that Edmonton’s defense will need to keep track of at all times during this series. Tkachuk leads the Panthers in points with 19 in 17 contests, which is good for sixth among all players. His 14 assists are tied for fourth in the league, and his six power-play helpers slot him in the same spot. When the Florida winger is on the ice, his team is the one generating the chances, as he carries a +14 goal differential.
Connor McDavid
No, for Pastrnak, it was never a question of how high he might reach — it was simply whether his success was a product of his environment or whether that environment was a product of him. In one sense, it’s no surprise Sidney Crosby remains among the game’s best, even after all these years. In another, it is a signature achievement, one more in an absurdly long line of them, that the Pittsburgh Penguins captain has managed to stay at this level for this long. No. 87 has made a habit of authoring resurgent campaigns just when the hockey world begins to write him off. It’s what he did when injuries threatened to derail him early in his big-league tenure, Crosby eventually returning with a century season that earned him his second Art Ross.
Matthew Tkachuk, Florida Panthers
- Will Smith is an incredibly shifty playmaker who can create high danger plays at will (pun intended) by threading passes through traffic, stickhandling around pressure, or taking a shot of his own.
- Scott Morrow plays a high-octane style and he’s always quick and decisive in transition.
- Nathan MacKinnon, with his powerful skating and scoring prowess, consistently shows why he is one of the league’s top forwards, leading his team with intensity and precision.
- After clearly wanting out of Winnipeg, he becomes the best prospect and rookie for the Penguins by a mile.
- The young defenseman took a bit of a step back last season with the Red Wings, but still played great defensive hockey and showed his physical side, too.
- There is very little that separates the three, so Isles fans, don’t read into it too much.
- He challenges opposing players one-on-one like a forward, constantly setting himself up for these incredible dekes.
- With all this talent ready to be debuted, the Calder Trophy race will be as enjoyable as ever.
Over the last three years, Stamkos has been one of the top point producers and had drug his team into battle every night. The Stars have taken a lot of pride in their defensive game as an entire team, but the biggest anchor for their success comes from Miro Heiskanen. He is one of the best two-way defenders in the game and has had great offensive numbers over the past two seasons. A big step back in production last season prevented Tim Stutzle from being higher on this list.
- After tearing up the United States high school prep circuit with Shattuck St. Mary’s, Celebrini tried his hand in the USHL last season with the Chicago Steel and was immediately the best player in the league.
- Despite missing time with an injury last season, Andrei Svechnikov showed just how important he is to the lineup when he returned.
- He has developed into a perennial Sekle Trophy candidate while also being a 70-point center.
- He blocks a bunch of shots, shattered his career-high in hits, and had his best season in many defensive metrics.
- In his ninth NHL season, Hyman broke out for 54 goals, which was 18 more than his previous career high.
- Beck is going to be a player that coaches love because he works hard and has tons of skill.
- Buium has a great motor and always finds himself in the thick of the action on both ends of the ice.
As great as the Oilers are on offense, they do need to play some defense to win the Stanley Cup. Since joining Edmonton ahead of the 2023 trade deadline, Ekholm has provided some much needed stability on defense, and he has elevated his game in these playoffs. In his 321 minutes of ice time at five-on-five, the Oilers have controlled 57.2% of the expected goals and outscored opponents 19-11, per Natural Stat Trick. Those numbers are even more eye-popping when you consider Ekholm is tasked with slowing down the opposition’s top forwards. It’s probably safe to assume that Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhaeghe will get a heavy dose of Ekholm in this series. Artyom Levshunov has an incredibly exciting toolkit as a big, right-handed defender who skates incredibly well.
Wild, Sabres among potential breakouts
Nugent-Hopkins has spent over a decade with the Oilers, and in that time he has been a very reliable two-way center and has spent a lot of time killing penalties and working hard on the forecheck. For anyone who hasn’t looked for college hockey content beyond MGoBlog, it is sparse. I would honestly venture that many of the opponent previews above are more detailed than what you can find from those programs’ own fanbases. Various museums report that a form of the game was also played by the Romans and Greeks, as well as the Aztecs.
Jason Robertson, Dallas Stars
However, other nations – such as Argentina, Germany, Spain, France and reigning Olympic men’s champion Belgium – have now made their way into the top international rankings, making the sport truly global. Athletes use a hook-shaped stick, with which they drive, control, and hit a hard ball. Except for goalkeepers, players are not allowed to touch the ball with their hands or feet. Over the next four to seven games, key players on both sides of this matchup will make big plays to determine the NHL’s next champion. Former NHL winger Justin Williams was referred to as “Mr. Game 7” due to his ability to come through in the clutch. Dating back to last season, the Florida winger has displayed a knack for scoring in key moments and is a key reason for a number of Panthers wins.
Trophy Tracker: Keefe of Devils preseason choice for Jack Adams as coach of year
(c) Real-life value does not always translate to fantasy value, and I always use Mark Stone as a prime example. He doesn’t score many goals, doesn’t shoot the puck much and doesn’t throw many hits. The Panthers’ defense will certainly have their hands full in the Stanley Cup Final considering that they have to slow down Connor McDavid and company.
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