Hockey has changed. If you’re still looking at the league through the lens of 2022 or even last season, you’re basically missing the plot. We’re deep into January 2026, and the "old guard" is being pushed to the brink by a wave of kids who don’t seem to care about respect or waiting their turn. Honestly, the gap between the top three and everyone else used to be a canyon; now, it feels more like a crowded elevator.
Stats don't lie, but they don't tell the whole story either. You’ve got guys like Nathan MacKinnon basically skating through walls to stay on top, while 19-year-olds are casually putting up point-per-game numbers in their sleep. It’s wild.
The Consensus Kings of the Ice
When we talk about the top 10 players in the nhl right now, there’s no conversation without the "Big Two." But the order? That’s where things get heated in every sports bar from Edmonton to Sunrise.
1. Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers)
Is it boring to put him first? Maybe. Is it wrong? Absolutely not. As of mid-January 2026, McDavid is leading the league with 82 points in just 47 games. He recently clocked a max skating speed of 24.61 mph—the fastest he’s ever been tracked. You'd think a guy would slow down as he nears 30, but he’s actually getting more efficient. He leads the NHL in speed bursts over 20 mph, which basically means he's playing a different sport than everyone else for about 400 shifts a year.
2. Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche)
MacKinnon is the only human who can look at McDavid and say, "I can do that too." He’s sitting right on Connor’s heels with 81 points. What makes Nate different right now is the volume. He’s leading the league in shots on goal again. He doesn't just score; he pummels the net until the goalie gives up. He’s the engine of an Avalanche team that still looks like a Cup favorite every single night.
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3. Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning)
People hate on Kucherov because he makes it look like he’s not trying. Then you check the box score and he has four assists. He’s currently tied for fourth in league scoring with 67 points. His vision is still the best in the world. While McDavid beats you with speed, Kucherov beats you by knowing where you’re going to be before you do.
The New Reality: The Rise of Macklin Celebrini
If you haven’t been watching the San Jose Sharks, I don't blame you, but you're missing something special. Macklin Celebrini isn't just a "good rookie." He’s currently third in the entire NHL in points with 70.
Think about that.
A teenager is outscoring Leon Draisaitl and David Pastrnak. He’s got 24 goals and 46 assists through 45 games. It’s the kind of statistical anomaly we haven't seen since Crosby or McDavid entered the league. He’s shifted the entire power balance of the Western Conference.
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Defending the Throne: Cale Makar and the Blueline Elite
Defensemen aren't supposed to be this good at offense. It feels like a cheat code.
4. Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche)
Makar has 53 points in January. He’s a defenseman. He leads all blueliners in points, plus-minus (+17), and even-strength goals. Watching him skate is like watching a figure skater with a 100-mph slap shot. He’s the clear frontrunner for the Norris Trophy, though the competition is getting tighter.
5. Quinn Hughes (Vancouver Canucks/Minnesota Wild)
The trade to Minnesota shook the hockey world, but it didn't slow Hughes down. He’s still the king of offensive zone time. He’s currently at the 97th percentile for time spent in the offensive zone while on the ice. He and Makar are the only two defensemen in the "95 Overall" club, and honestly, the gap between them is paper-thin.
Rounding Out the Top 10
The rest of the list is where the arguments really start. You've got goal-scoring machines and workhorses who do the dirty work that advanced stats finally know how to track.
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- 6. Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers): Still the best passer in the game. He’s got 67 points and remains the most dangerous power-play threat in existence.
- 7. Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs): The goals haven't come quite as fast this year—he "only" has 22 goals in 40 games—but his defensive game has become elite. He’s leading the league in shots on goal (154) and is still the best pure sniper on the planet.
- 8. Kirill Kaprizov (Minnesota Wild): The "Thrill" is carrying the Wild's offense. He’s the highest-rated left winger in the league for a reason. His ability to hold onto the puck in tight spaces is basically magic.
- 9. Mikko Rantanen (Colorado Avalanche): He gets overshadowed by MacKinnon and Makar, but the guy has 62 points. He’s a 6'4" monster who can play any style of game you want.
- 10. Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets): You have to include a goalie. Hellebuyck is the reason Winnipeg stays relevant. His high-danger save percentage is consistently at the top of the league, and he’s the reigning Vezina winner for a reason.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Top 10
Everyone looks at total points. That’s a mistake. In 2026, the league is so fast that "impact" is being measured by NHL EDGE stats like "high-danger shots" and "zone exits."
For instance, someone like Martin Necas (who has 57 points) or Jason Robertson might actually be more valuable to their specific system than a guy with 5 more points who doesn't play defense. We also have to acknowledge the "Bedard Factor." Connor Bedard is having a massive sophomore-plus season, and while he’s not quite in the top 10 yet, he’s the guy most likely to kick someone off this list by April.
Real-World Implications for Fans
If you're betting on the Hart Trophy or just trying to win your fantasy league, keep an eye on the schedule. The Avalanche and Oilers have some of the densest remaining schedules, which means McDavid and MacKinnon are going to put up even more absurd numbers simply through volume.
The biggest surprise? The defensive depth. We are living in a golden age of mobile defensemen. If you aren't watching Zach Werenski or the rookie Matthew Schaefer, you're missing the future of how hockey is played.
Next Steps for Hockey Fans:
- Track the NHL EDGE data: Don't just look at the scores. Look at who is leading in 22-plus mph speed bursts; it’s usually a precursor to a scoring streak.
- Watch the San Jose Sharks: It sounds crazy, but Macklin Celebrini is doing things we haven't seen in decades.
- Compare Makar and Hughes: Follow their "Offensive Zone Time %." It’s the best indicator of which defenseman is actually controlling the flow of the game.
The 2025-26 season is proving that the hierarchy is never settled. One injury or one hot streak from a kid like Celebrini, and this entire list gets flipped on its head.