NHL Network is getting ready for this season by ranking the top 50 players in the League right now. Researchers, producers and on-air personalities compiled their list, and players 10-1 were revealed on Sunday in the finale of a nine-part series. Here is the list:
10. Quinn Hughes, D, Vancouver Canucks
Hughes won the Norris Trophy as the best defenseman in the NHL in 2023-24 and was a finalist last season. He had 76 points (16 goals, 60 assists) in 68 games for the Canucks in 2024-25 and his average of 1.12 points per game tied the highest of his seven-season NHL career, set in 2023-24. The 25-year-old Vancouver captain is first in assists (264) and second in points (312) and power-play points (132) among defensemen since the 2021-22 season, trailing Cale Makar (334 points, 138 power-play points). In 2023-24, Hughes led the position in points with 92 (17 goals, 75 assists) and was plus-38. That season, he had nine games with at least three assists, something only two others at the position have done in a single season, Hall of Famers Bobby Orr (four times) and Ray Bourque (once). Hughes was named to the United States’ preliminary roster for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.
9. Andrei Vasilevskiy, G, Tampa Bay Lightning
Vasilevskiy (38-20-5) was second in the NHL in wins last season, fourth in goals-against average (2.18) and save percentage (.921) and tied for second in shutouts (six). He faced the second-most shots (1,716), made the second-most saves (1,581) and played more minutes than anyone at the position (3,743:05). The 31-year-old helped the Lightning qualify for the playoffs for the eighth straight season. He is a five-time Vezina finalist and since 2015-16, has the most wins (324) and second-most shutouts (39) in the NHL. Vasilevskiy also won the Stanley Cup twice (2020, 2021) and was the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as the MVP of the playoffs in 2021 when he had a 1.90 GAA, .937 save percentage and five shutouts in 23 games.
8. Connor Hellebuyck, G, Winnipeg Jets
Last season, Hellebuyck won the Vezina for the second straight season and third overall while also winning the Hart Trophy as League MVP. The 32-year-old went 47-12-3 and tied Vasilevskiy for the NHL lead with 63 games played. He led all goalies in wins, goals-against average (2.00; minimum 25 games) and shutouts (eight), and was second in save percentage (.925), behind Anthony Stolarz of the Toronto Maple Leafs (.926). He also won the Jennings Trophy for helping the Jets allow an NHL-low 191 goals during the regular season. Winnipeg allowed 2.32 goals per game and won the Presidents’ Trophy as the team with the best regular-season record (56-22-4). Hellebuyck has won at least 30 games in six of the past eight seasons and was named to the United States’ preliminary Olympic roster.
7. Sidney Crosby, C, Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins captain scored in a 7-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on March 27 to secure his 20th season averaging at least a point per game, breaking Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record of 19. Crosby is ninth in League history with 1,687 points (625 goals, 1,062 assists) in 1,352 games over 20 seasons with the Penguins. The 38-year-old center has won the Stanley Cup three times, the Conn Smythe Trophy twice, The Art Ross Trophy (scoring leader), Hart Trophy and Maurice