The End of Season Top 10 NHL Players Right Now

From opening night to the last minute of the Stanley Cup Finals, the 2023-2024 NHL season was spectacular as both rising stars and seasoned veterans showcased their talents. This list highlights the Top 10 Best NHL Players of the year whose performances have been extraordinary. Each player’s contributions have been pivotal for their respective teams and left a significant mark on the league.

Honorable Mention

Matthew Tkachuk

Team: Florida Panthers 

After notching over 100 points last year while leading his team to the Stanley Cup Finals, Matthew Tkachuk was ready to lead his team to the championship again.

Although he did not reach his 2023-point total, he still accounted for 88 points while leading his team in assists with 62. The left wing’s superb play helped the Panthers earn their first Stanley Cup victory in franchise history, which Florida could not have achieved without Tkachuk’s leadership and playmaking ability.

Top 10 Best NHL Players 2024 Rankings

10. Sidney Crosby

Team: Pittsburgh Penguins 

Crosby, who just completed his 19th NHL season, continues to excel as one of the league’s top players. Playing all 82 games for the 3rd time in his career, he led Pittsburgh with team highs of 94 points, 42 goals, and 52 assists. His leadership transcends his on-ice performance, as he mentors younger players and significantly shapes the team’s culture. His remarkable ability to deliver in high-pressure situations underscores his enduring legacy as one of the greatest hockey players of his time. 

9. Artemi Panarin

Team: New York Rangers 

Over the last five seasons, Artemi Panarin has exceeded expectations for the Rangers, but his play this year has him entering conversations about being among the league’s best.

Known for his agility and playmaking, the left-wing accumulated 120 points, the 4th most in the league, from his 49 goals and 71 assists, which are both 5th most in the NHL.

His ability to score in critical moments while controlling the puck under pressure is invaluable to the Rangers, who hope the 32-year-old can lead New York past the Eastern Conference Finals in 2025.

8. Sam Reinhart

Team: Florida Panthers 

Despite this past season being Sam Reinhart’s 10th in the NHL, the center quickly emerged as the Panther’s top goal scorer while playing the best hockey of his career.

For the first time, Reinhart scored over 90 goals and finished with 94, which led Florida and placed him second in the league. Similar to Tkachuk, the Panthers would likely not have had their success if it weren’t for Reinhart’s scoring ability. The center scored the series-winning goal in game 7, forever cementing himself as a Panthers legend.

7. Leon Draisaitl

Team: Edmonton Oilers

Leon Draisaitl stands out as one of the NHL’s top forwards, demonstrating his scoring and playmaking prowess throughout the season. He finished the season with 41 goals and 65 assists, earning himself the sixth most points out of all players.

Draisaitl’s keen hockey intelligence and ability to find openings where others can’t make him vital to the Oilers’ attack. His synergy with Connor McDavid forms one of the league’s most potent partnerships, consistently challenging opposing defenses. Draisaitl’s reliable performance was crucial for the Oilers this season as the forward helped Edmonton have their most successful season since 2006.

6. Auston Matthews

Team: Toronto Maple Leafs 

Auston Matthews has consistently been one of the NHL’s top goal scorers, leading the league in goals in three out of the last four seasons. This year, he achieved a career and league-high with 69 goals and showed notable improvement in his defensive play.

With 107 points, Matthews has been a critical player for Toronto, often shaping the flow and outcomes of their games. His contributions are crucial as the Leafs will strive to break their 57-year streak without a Stanley Cup appearance next season.

5. David Pastrnak

Team: Boston Bruins

In his tenth season, David Pastrnak proved indispensable for the Boston Bruins. Although he eclipsed a career-best of 63 assists, his exceptional passing skills complement his goal-scoring prowess.

He finished the season with 47 goals, ranking seventh in the league and fifth in overall points. Pastrnak’s contributions during power plays and his exceptional shooting accuracy are crucial elements of the Bruins’ game plan, particularly in critical moments when his scoring ability from any angle can significantly influence the outcome of a game.

4. Cale Makar

Team: Colorado Avalanche 

Cale Makar has transformed the defenseman role by excelling offensively while fulfilling his defensive responsibilities. Achieving 90 points, with 21 goals and a personal best of 69 assists, highlights his ability to influence the game at both ends of the ice.

His exceptional skating, skill set, and shooting proficiency have made him a standout player, capable of changing the momentum of a match with his contributions from the blue line. Makar’s unique abilities set him apart from other defensemen in recent memory, making him an exhilarating player.

3. Nikita Kucherov

Team: Tampa Bay Lightning 

Nikita Kucherov displays superior strategic playmaking and scoring ability, as he led the league in points with 144, including a career-high 44 goals and 100 assists, the latter of which is also tied for most in the league.

His offensive abilities make him indispensable to Tampa Bay, and his high hockey IQ allows him to see plays before they unfold, making him one of the top forwards in the league and a crucial element in the Lightning’s offensive strategies.

2. Nathan MacKinnon

Team: Colorado Avalanche 

Nathan MacKinnon has established himself as one of the league’s best players by surpassing the 100-point mark in back-to-back seasons. This season, he earned the second most points in the NHL, scoring 140 points, while scoring the fourth most goals and earning the third most assists in the league.

His speed, skill, and scoring ability are pivotal for the Avalanche, and his performances in crucial moments underscore his status as one of the NHL’s elite players.

Although MacKinnon’s dynamic play continues to drive Colorado’s success, another player from across the border barely surpasses the center to claim the top spot.

1. Connor McDavid

Team: Edmonton Oilers 

After another superb season and being rewarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the 2024 postseason, Connor McDavid undoubtedly earns the number one spot as the best player in the NHL.

McDavid was tied for first in the league in assists with 100 and finished third in points with 132, including 32 goals. His role as the catalyst for the Oilers’ offense directly impacts the team’s success. In his 25 playoff games, the center tallied eight goals and an astounding 34 assists, leading McDavid to surpass Wayne Gretzky for the most in a playoff year.

The generational talent’s ability to dominate games with his extraordinary skill, game intelligence, and playmaking ability solidifies his position as the top player in the NHL.

How would you rank the best NHL Players of the 2023-2024 season? Rank below to be added in the NHL Power Rankings.

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