[THE HOCKEY NEWS’ PREMIER 80-NIGHT NHL LINEUP: 2026-27 STANDOUTS]

The Hockey News marks its eight-decade anniversary this year, celebrating eight generations of Canadian hockey excellence. To honor this milestone, our editorial staff has curated the league’s finest talent, selecting the top twenty candidates for the 2026-27 regular season.

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10. Connor Hellebuyck, G, Winnipeg Jets

Hellebuyck’s trade demands have recently complicated his reputation, yet he remains synonymous with exceptional goaltending, highlighted by a standout performance when earning gold at the 2026 Olympics with Team USA. He also possesses a storied record, including three consecutive Vezina Trophy wins and a Hart Trophy accolade.

If Hellebuyck can rebound from a sub‑average 2025‑26 campaign that saw him post an .895 save percentage, he will once again cement his status as the league’s premier goalie.

9. David Pastrnak, RW, Boston Bruins

Pastrnak has maintained offense over multiple seasons, consistently posting double‑digit points even during periods of roster fluctuation in Boston. His peak arrived in 2022‑23, when he tallied 61 goals across a 113‑point season. While the defensive landscape behind him has evolved, he continues among the elite among offensive production leaders.

Boston’s captaining dynamics led to his election as the 28th franchise captain—a rare distinction given to just a handful of players. His presence transforms the team and reaffirms him as one of the most lethal specialists in the modern game.

Why Naming Pastrnak As Bruins Captain Over McAvoy Was The Right Choice

8. Zach Werenski, D, Columbus Blue Jackets

Throughout his time with the Blue Jackets, Werenski grappled with inconsistent team chemistry, yet his resilience shone brightly in 2025‑26. He contributed 22 goals and 81 points in 75 games, culminating in his first career Norris Trophy. At 29, his vision, craftsmanship, and strategic mindset distinguish him among the game’s most feared defensemen.

While his playoff résumé lacks multiple Stanley Cup appearances, his overall skill places him firmly inside the top tier of contemporary blue line play.

7. Leon Draisaitl, C, Edmonton Oilers

Draisaitl has achieved near‑perfect efficiency across every facet of his game, finishing 2025‑26 with 434 goals and 1,053 points in 855 career contests—plus 151 points in 102 postseason matches. With numerous major awards, including a Hart Trophy, an Art Ross Trophy, and a Maurice « Rocket » Richard Trophy, he embodies the complete package of an elite forward.

Entering 2026‑27 with such a formidable track record, his contribution may elevate further as he looks to add another Championship ring to his record.

6. Quinn Hughes, D, Minnesota Wild

Since joining the Wild, Hughes has thrived offensively amid offensive challenges, accumulating 53 points in 48 games last season. Since 2019‑20, he leads the league in deflections with 416 assists, showcasing creativity rarely seen from a big‑blue defender.

Though potential free‑agent moves to the New Jersey Devils loom, Hughes’ talent remains undeniable. Already sporting one Norris Trophy, his future prospect list is likely expanding as the 2026‑27 season unfolds.

‘Hopefully He Realizes How Much We Want Him,’ GM Bill Guerin’s Final Public Message To Quinn Hughes Before Wild’s 2026-27 NHL Season Begins
With the Minnesota Wild preparing to kick off their 2026-27 season, Hughes steps onto the ice without a contract extension. Yet GM Bill Guerin issued a final personal note to the Norris Temple honoree.

5. Macklin Celebrini, C, San Jose Sharks

Celebrini has already shown unprecedented promise in his inaugural two NHL seasons. In his rookie campaign he recorded 63 points, doubling that total to 115 with a rebuilding Sharks squad in 2025‑26. Selected first overall in 2024, his development has accelerated faster than anyone anticipated, reaching Olympic stage where he finished second in points averaging just six games.

His trajectory suggests there is considerable room for growth as the young center continues to mature physically and tactically.

4. Nikita Kucherov, RW, Tampa Bay Lightning

Three-time Art Ross Trophy winner, two-time Hart Trophy holder, and twice‑time Calder‑won Cup winner, Kucherov consistently produces at an elite level. Last season he logged 44 goals and 130 points in 159 games, delivering crucial contributions to Tampa Bay’s back‑to‑back championships.

As captain and generational talent, Kucherov exemplifies the kind of consistent excellence that defines standout stars, confidently leading the roster toward continued greatness.

Lightning Provide Update On Nikita Kucherov Contract Extension
One of the central questions heading into training camp was whether Kucherov would secure a long‑term extension beyond this season, given his nearly complete final year on a $9.5 million salary commitment.

3. Cale Makar, D, Colorado Avalanche

Widely regarded as the league’s premier defenseman and destined to join the payroll premium, Makar’s skill set surpasses most peers. His resume reads like an award‑laden autobiography: a Conn Smythe Trophy winning playoff MVP, two Norris Tropics, and a Coupe du Manitoba triumph with Colorado form the foundation for his unassailable claims to being the world’s best blueliner.

2. Nathan MacKinnon, C, Colorado Avalanche

The Avalanche possess a defensive anchor in Makar and feature MacKinnon at the pinnacle of forward play. At 31, the veteran has captured the Hart Trophy and the Maurice « Rocket » Richard Award, while logging at least 110 points in each of his previous four seasons. Surrounded by talent, nothing stands in his way against opponents.

1. Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton Oilers

McDavid’s résumé definitively establishes him as hockey’s top competitor. With six Art Ross Trophies, three Hart Trophies, a Rocket Richard Award, and a Conn Smythe, even though the Oilers fell short in the finals, his consistency tops every metric. After nine years in the league, failures to breach the hundred‑point threshold occurred only when injuries hampered early performances and absences depleted output later.

At thirty‑nine, McDavid remains the pinnacle of talent and earns the inevitable recognition as the sport’s most competitive player.

Complete List:

1. Connor McDavid
2. Nathan MacKinnon
3. Cale Makar
4. Nikita Kucherov
5. Macklin Celebrini
6. Quinn Hughes
7. Leon Draisaitl
8. Zach Werenski
9. David Pastrnak
10. Connor Hellebuyck
11. Alexander Barkov
12. Jack Eichel
13. Nick Suzuki
14. Andrei Vasilevskiy
15. Sidney Crosby
16. Kirill Kaprizov
17. Mitch Marner
18. Rasmus Dahlin
19. Mikko Rantanen
20. Auston Matthews
21. Cole Caufield
22. Matthew Schaefer
23. Jason Robertson
24. Lane Hutson
25. Evan Bouchard
26. Matt Boldy
27. Jack Hughes
28. William Nylander
29. Matthew Tkachuk
30. Moritz Seider
31. Martin Necas
32. Kyle Connor
33. Connor Bedard
34. Jake Sanderson
35. Miro Heiskanen
36. Mark Scheifele
37. Tim Stutzle
38. Wyatt Johnston
39. Tage Thompson
40. Leo Carlsson
41. Sebastian Aho
42. Jaccob Slavin
43. Josh Morrissey
44. Ilya Sorokin
45. Jake Guentzel
46. Sam Reinhart
47. Adam Fox
48. Clayton Keller
49. Charlie McAvoy
50. Brayden Point
51. Igor Shesterkin
52. Brady Tkachuk
53. Adrian Kempe
54. Cutter Gauthier
55. Dylan Guenther
56. Juraj Slafkovsky
57. Artemi Panarin
58. Alex DeBrincat
59. Brandon Hagel
60. Evgeni Malkin
61. Logan Thompson
62. Brock Faber
63. Lucas Raymond
64. Roman Josi
65. Jeremy Swayman
66. Erik Karlsson
67. Mark Stone
68. Nico Hischier
69. Alex Tuch
70. Anthony Cirelli
71. Jakob Chychrun
72. Tom Wilson
73. Philip Gustavsson
74. Drake Batherson
75. Zach Hyman
76. Thomas Harley
77. Jackson LaCombe
78. Steven Stamkos
79. Alex Ovechkin
80. Morgan Geekie

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