NHL · 2 hours ago

NHL Power Rankings: The Top 15 Players Right Now (Jan. 22)

Paul Connor

Host · Writer

15. William Nylander
Team: Toronto Maple Leafs | Position: Right Wing | Age: 29

2025-26 Stats: 37 GP | 17 G | 31 A | 48 P | +1

Nylander continues to be a consistent producer in the Toronto pressure cooker. His 17 goals and flashy puck possession make him a constant threat, though his +1 rating indicates the Leafs are playing tight, high-event games when he is on the ice.

Injury Note: Nylander is currently sidelined with a groin injury, having missed Toronto's last three contests. His return remains uncertain.
Introduction
The 2025–26 NHL season is rolling, and the stars are shining. Here’s my take on the league's top 15 players right now!

Disclaimer: These rankings reflect performance so far this season. As a result, some elite players, such as Connor McDavid, may appear lower than their typical career standards or overall reputation would suggest.
1. Nathan MacKinnon
Team: Colorado Avalanche | Position: Center | Age: 30

2025-26 Stats: 48 GP | 38 G | 47 A | 85 P | +48

MacKinnon is currently the frontrunner for the Hart Trophy, playing at a pace that can only be described as possessed. With 85 points in just 48 games, he is tied for the league lead in scoring but holds the edge in goals (38). Perhaps most terrifying for opponents is his +48 rating, which suggests the Avalanche are effectively unbeatable when he is on the ice. He isn't just winning shifts; he's demolishing them.
2. Connor McDavid
2. Connor McDavid

Team: Edmonton Oilers | Position: Center | Age: 28

2025-26 Stats: 51 GP | 30 G | 55 A | 85 P | +7

Another year, another scoring title chase for McDavid. While he sits tied with MacKinnon at 85 points, he has played three more games, making him technically the "chaser" at this midway mark. His playmaking remains peerless with a league-high 55 assists, and he continues to drive the Oilers' offense with his signature speed. The lower plus/minus (+7) compared to MacKinnon suggests Edmonton is leaning on him heavily to outscore defensive lapses.
3. Nikita Kucherov
Team: Tampa Bay Lightning | Position: Right Wing | Age: 32

2025-26 Stats: 44 GP | 24 G | 49 A | 73 P | +23

Quietly elite as ever, Kucherov is pacing for another 130+ point campaign. With 73 points in 44 games, he is the primary engine behind the Lightning’s attack. His balance of playmaking (49 assists) and finishing (24 goals) keeps opposing goaltenders guessing, and his +23 rating indicates he is dominating five-on-five play just as much as the power play.
4. Macklin Celebrini
Team: San Jose Sharks | Position: Center | Age: 19

2025-26 Stats: 49 GP | 24 G | 48 A | 72 P | +12

The sophomore slump is a myth for Celebrini. At just 19 years old, the Sharks phenom has exploded into superstar status with 72 points in 49 games. He is nearly matching the production of established veterans and has transformed San Jose into must-watch TV. Celebrini's 24 goals prove he can finish, but it’s his poise and 48 assists that suggest he is already a top-tier franchise center.
5. Mark Stone
Team: Vegas Golden Knights | Position: Right Wing | Age: 33

2025-26 Stats: 32 GP | 18 G | 30 A | 48 P | +10

When he is in the lineup, Stone is one of the most effective wingers in hockey. Despite being limited to 32 games, he has racked up 48 points, scoring at a dazzling 1.5 points-per-game pace. His two-way intelligence is evident in his solid +10 rating, but the Golden Knights will be desperate to keep their captain healthy down the stretch to maintain this elite production.
6. Leon Draisaitl
Team: Edmonton Oilers | Position: Center/Wing | Age: 30

2025-26 Stats: 48 GP | 25 G | 42 A | 67 P | +8

Draisaitl continues to be the hammer to McDavid’s spear. With 67 points and 25 goals, he provides the heavy offensive artillery Edmonton needs. While slightly off the blistering pace of the top three, Draisaitl remains a top-10 offensive threat in the league. His chemistry with McDavid on the power play remains the league's most dangerous weapon.
7. Zach Werenski
Team: Columbus Blue Jackets | Position: Defenseman | Age: 28

2025-26 Stats: 45 GP | 18 G | 34 A | 52 P | +3

Whether roaming from the blue line or deployed as a winger in this new system, Werenski's offensive output is staggering. His 18 goals are exceptional for his role, serving as the primary catalyst for a Blue Jackets team looking to climb the Metro standings.
8. Cale Makar
Team: Colorado Avalanche | Position: Defenseman | Age: 27

2025-26 Stats: 48 GP | 14 G | 40 A | 54 P | +28

Makar is making a strong case for another Norris Trophy, scoring like a first-line forward while anchoring the Avalanche defense. His +28 rating is second only to MacKinnon among this elite group, highlighting Colorado’s dominance when its top stars are on the ice. He remains the modern prototype for how the position is played.
9. Jack Eichel
Team: Vegas Golden Knights | Position: Center | Age: 29

2025-26 Stats: 41 GP | 17 G | 40 A | 57 P | +9

Eichel is arguably playing some of the most complete hockey of his career. His chemistry with Stone (when healthy) has been potent, and he is scoring at a pace that would easily crack 100 points over a full 82-game slate.
10. David Pastrnak
Team: Boston Bruins | Position: Right Wing | Age: 29

2025-26 Stats: 45 GP | 20 G | 40 A | 60 P | -2

"Pasta" has caught fire in January with multiple multi-point performances, proving he remains one of the league's premier game-breakers even when facing maximum defensive pressure.
11. Connor Bedard
Team: Chicago Blackhawks | Position: Center | Age: 20

2025-26 Stats: 36 GP | 20 G | 28 A | 48 P | +7

Bedard is finding the back of the net with lethal frequency in his third season. With 20 goals in just 36 games, he is evolving into the sniper Chicago promised he would be. While the Blackhawks are still building around him, his 48 points show he can single-handedly drive an offense, averaging well over a point per game despite missing time.
12. Ilya Sorokin
Team: New York Islanders | Position: Goalie | Age: 30

2025-26 Stats: 30 GP | 16 W | 5 SO | 2.51 GAA | .914 SV%

Sorokin has been the Islanders' single most valuable player this season. Leading the league in high-danger save percentage (.875) and shutouts (5), he's the current favorite for the Vezina Trophy.
13. Mikko Rantanen
Team: Dallas Stars | Position: Right Wing | Age: 29

2025-26 Stats: 48 GP | 19 G | 44 A | 63 P | +2

While his goal totals are slightly lower than his peak Colorado pace, Rantanen's playmaking has unlocked Dallas's offense. He's been exactly the game-breaker Dallas was hoping for when they acquired him last season.
14. Andrei Vasilevskiy
Team: Tampa Bay Lightning | Position: Goalie | Age: 31

2025-26 Stats: 31 GP | 21 W | 1 SO | 2.18 GAA | .917 SV%

"The Big Cat" has built on last year's bounce-back season, ranking second in both wins and goals-against average as Tampa Bay sits first in the Atlantic Division.
15. William Nylander
Team: Toronto Maple Leafs | Position: Right Wing | Age: 29

2025-26 Stats: 37 GP | 17 G | 31 A | 48 P | +1

Nylander continues to be a consistent producer in the Toronto pressure cooker. His 17 goals and flashy puck possession make him a constant threat, though his +1 rating indicates the Leafs are playing tight, high-event games when he is on the ice.

Injury Note: Nylander is currently sidelined with a groin injury, having missed Toronto's last three contests. His return remains uncertain.
Introduction
The 2025–26 NHL season is rolling, and the stars are shining. Here’s my take on the league's top 15 players right now!

Disclaimer: These rankings reflect performance so far this season. As a result, some elite players, such as Connor McDavid, may appear lower than their typical career standards or overall reputation would suggest.

NHL Power Rankings: The Top 15 Players Right Now (Jan. 22)

2. Connor McDavid

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