McDavid Leads 2026 NHL Top 100 as Elite Talent Shines

At 29 years old, Connor McDavid tops The Hockey News’ 2026 list of the top 100 NHL players after another dominant performance.

McDavid’s Enduring Dominance

McDavid earned the No. 1 ranking at age 29 despite the Oilers’ playoff shortfall in Milan. The criteria prioritized 2025-26 performance over prior seasons to avoid one-year wonders. McDavid’s consistent output placed him ahead of last year’s No. 1 Nathan MacKinnon.

The ranking structure targets 60 forwards, 30 defensemen and 10 goalies across the full list. McDavid’s individual excellence fits the forward-heavy emphasis without regard for team salary or roster balance.

Only five NHL players scored at a greater per-game rate than Kirill Kaprizov over the past three seasons, yet McDavid’s playmaking elevated him to the summit. He passed the 1,000-point mark in December 2025 and continues to lead all forwards in key metrics.

Youth and Veterans Reshaping the Top 10

Macklin Celebrini jumped from No. 90 last year to No. 7 at age 19 after starring for Canada at the Olympics. The 19-year-old transitioned from fringe roster player to first-line center, entering Hart Trophy discussions early.

Cale Makar at 27 sits at No. 4 after seven NHL seasons. He approached becoming the first defenseman since Paul Coffey with three straight 90-point campaigns. Makar’s freewheeling style now models the next generation of blueliners.

Andrei Vasilevskiy at 31 holds No. 6 and appears on track for a second Vezina Trophy. The Lightning netminder erased earlier concerns with impenetrable play matching his Stanley Cup peak years.

Defensemen and Playmakers Anchoring the Rankings

Quinn Hughes ranks No. 8 at 26 after moving to Minnesota, where his ice time ranks among the highest in the post-lockout era. He averaged the 10th-highest minutes in that span while carrying a heavier workload than any other defenseman in the past decade.

Zach Werenski at 28 claims No. 10 after leading the Blue Jackets in scoring. The 10th-year NHLer logged more than 26 minutes per night, second league-wide only to Hughes.

Nikita Kucherov at 32 sits at No. 3 and fell just short of a third straight scoring title, a feat achieved by only seven players in NHL history. His savant-level hockey IQ compensates for lacking McDavid’s speed.

Leon Draisaitl at 30 ranks No. 5 after becoming a national icon for Germany at the Olympics and surpassing Mark Messier and Jari Kurri on the Oilers’ all-time points list.

McDavid’s pursuit of a first Stanley Cup will hinge on Oilers support before the 2027 playoffs.