The Hockey News Reveals NHL’s Top 80 Players: Rankings 40 Through 31 for the 2026‑27 Season

The Hockey News marks its 80th anniversary as hockey’s premier publication, with its editorial team ranking the NHL’s top 80 players ahead of the 2026‑27 regular season.

To encourage ongoing discussion, we are releasing the list in reverse order, ten players at a time across eight installments. While opinions may vary, that debate is part of the enjoyment of evaluating the league’s best.

The rollout began with players 80 through 71, followed by 70 through 61, then 60 through 51, and finally 50 through 41.

Let’s examine the players who open the top‑40 segment.

40. Leo Carlsson, C, Anaheim Ducks

Carlsson made headlines when he signed an offer sheet with the Philadelphia Flyers, briefly becoming the NHL’s highest‑paid player. Nevertheless, his substantial contract does not overshadow the impressive skill he brings to the Anaheim Ducks.

He posted career‑best numbers—29 goals, 38 assists, and 67 points—a 22‑point increase over his 2024‑25 totals. As his Ducks teammates continue to develop, Carlson’s upside will expand, and Anaheim should feel confident that the investment is warranted.

39. Tage Thompson, C, Buffalo Sabres

At 28, Thompson had not yet appeared in a Stanley Cup playoff game until last spring—a shortfall attributable more to Buffalo’s struggles than to his own ability to drive the team forward.

He enjoyed a standout 2025‑26 campaign, netting 40 goals for the third time in four seasons and tallying 81 points in 81 games, marking his second point‑per‑game season in that span.

Now in his prime, Thompson will be pivotal as the Sabres aim for deeper playoff pushes and a championship bid.

38. Wyatt Johnston, C, Dallas Stars

Johnston entered the league without much fanfare after being selected 23rd overall in 2021, but his rookie year—24 goals and 41 points—set the stage for rapid development.

Over the last three seasons he has amassed 110 goals (including 45 last season) and 222 points in 246 regular‑season games, establishing himself as a core piece for the Dallas Stars. His trajectory also places him in contention for future Team Canada selections at the World Cup of Hockey and the Olympics.

37. Tim Stutzle, C, Ottawa Senators

It didn’t take long for Stutzle to secure a place in the Senators’ core, but after a couple of seasons in which his production dipped from his career‑high 39 goals and 90 points in 2022‑23, he bounced back with a 34‑goal, 83‑point effort last season.

At 24, Stutzle is only beginning to tap his potential. He also shone internationally this year, recording four goals and six points in five games for Germany at the Olympics. His vision and creativity distinguish him from many peers, and his trajectory continues upward.

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36. Mark Scheifele, C, Winnipeg Jets

Prior to the current season, Scheifele had accumulated 907 points over 961 regular‑season games. In 2025‑26, the 33‑year‑old set personal bests with 67 assists and 103 points, embodying the heart and soul of the Winnipeg Jets while remaining an active community figure.

Across 53 playoff appearances he has contributed 26 goals and 49 points. Having been a standout for most of his 14‑year NHL career, a championship for Manitoba could even inspire a statue in his honor.

35. Miro Heiskanen, D, Dallas Stars

Heiskanen has yet to claim a Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenseman, but his impact on the Dallas Stars has been enormous. This was already apparent in his second NHL season, when he tallied 26 points across 27 playoff games in 2019‑20.

At 27, he combines poise and maturity beyond his years and was instrumental in Finland’s bronze‑medal finish at the 2026 Olympics, contributing three assists and five points in six games. While he may not be the absolute best blue‑liner, few defenders surpass his overall game.

34. Jake Sanderson, D, Ottawa Senators

Sanderson has been progressing steadily; although he did not set new personal bests last season, his 40‑assist, 54‑point campaign in just 67 games stands out.

At 24, he still has considerable room to develop and could help push Ottawa into the league’s upper tier. With only nine playoff games to date, his influence will grow as his postseason experience increases.

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33. Connor Bedard, C, Chicago Blackhawks

Selected first overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2023, Bedard was heralded as a generational talent—a label that has held true ever since. He captured the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie in 2024, and over his first three seasons his goal, assist, and point totals have risen each year.

Although he missed 13 games last season, he still posted career‑high marks of 30 goals, 45 assists, and 75 points. Opening this season on the sidelines due to injury, Bedard remains on track to rank among the most influential forwards for the next decade.

32. Kyle Connor, LW, Winnipeg Jets

Since his NHL debut in 2016, Connor has established himself as one of the league’s most dangerous scorers. In eight of his nine full seasons he has hit the 31‑goal mark, with the lone exception being the 2020‑21 campaign, when he managed 26 goals in 56 games.

Over the last two seasons he has combined for 80 goals and 189 points in 164 games, and he has added 49 points in 58 playoff appearances. He has more than lived up to his promise as a vital contributor to the Jets.

31. Martin Necas, RW, Colorado Avalanche

Necas spent more than five seasons as a key piece of the Carolina Hurricanes before his 2025 trade to the Colorado Avalanche. Since joining the Avalanche, the 27‑year‑old has elevated his game, posting career‑highs of 38 goals, 62 assists, and 100 points last season.

He also delivered his finest postseason showing with Colorado, contributing 12 assists and 13 points over 13 games. While he benefits from playing on a deep Avalanche roster, Necas exceeds expectations and will be a primary catalyst as Colorado pushes for playoff success.

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