You’d think after a decade of watching Connor McDavid turn elite defenders into human traffic cones, we’d be used to it. But honestly, the 2025-26 season has flipped the script in a way most of us didn't see coming. It’s not just about the usual suspects anymore. There is this weird, frantic energy in the league right now where a 19-year-old in San Jose is legitimately breathing down the neck of a Hart Trophy winner.
If you haven't been glued to the standings, here is the vibe: the "top hockey players in nhl" list is currently a war zone.
The Battle at the Summit
Nathan MacKinnon is playing like he’s actually angry at the puck. He's currently leading the league with 36 goals and 78 points as of mid-January 2026. It’s absurd. He’s on pace for 70 goals. Think about that for a second. We haven't seen that kind of production since the days of wooden sticks and questionable goaltending equipment.
Then there’s McDavid. He started "slow"—which for him means he was only scoring a point per game—but he’s currently on a 17-game heater. He just reached a top skating speed of 24.61 mph. That is faster than the speed limit in most residential neighborhoods. You can see the fear in the eyes of defensemen when he hits that crossover at the blue line.
But the real shocker? Macklin Celebrini.
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Most sophomores hit a slump. This kid hit a nitro button. He’s sitting at 63 points in 41 games for a Sharks team that was supposed to be "rebuilding." He’s basically trying to single-handedly drag San Jose into a playoff spot. It's kind of ridiculous to see a teenager tied with McDavid for even-strength goals, yet here we are.
Why the Blue Line is Where the Real Magic Happens
If the Hart race is a dogfight, the Norris Trophy race is basically a coronation for Cale Makar.
He’s the unanimous favorite. 16 first-place votes in the midseason Trophy Tracker. You’ve got to feel for guys like Zach Werenski and Miro Heiskanen. Werenski is having a career year in Columbus with 51 points, and usually, that puts you in the driver’s seat. But Makar is averaging over a point per game as a defenseman. Again.
There's this new kid in Montreal, too—Lane Hutson.
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He’s got 47 points and is playing a style of hockey that shouldn't work. It’s all shimmy-shakes and lateral movement that makes him look like he’s glitching through the ice. He isn't going to beat Makar this year, but he’s making every other veteran defenseman look very slow.
The Guys Nobody is Talking About (But Should)
Nikita Kucherov is quietly having his fifth 110-point pace season. He just put up eight points in two games earlier this month. He makes the game look so easy it’s almost boring, which is probably why he doesn't get the same highlight-reel love as Bedard or MacKinnon.
Speaking of Connor Bedard, he’s still the engine in Chicago. He’s got 19 goals and 44 points despite missing some time. The scary thing is that his shot speed is increasing; we're seeing him rip pucks at nearly 100 mph now.
And don't sleep on the goalies.
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Ilya Sorokin is currently the only reason the Islanders stay in games. His high-danger save percentage is .876. To put that in perspective, most goalies look like they’re being shelled by a firing squad in those situations, but Sorokin just calmly eats the puck. He’s the betting favorite for the Vezina for a reason.
Realities of the 2026 Season
Is it harder to score now? Not really. The "top hockey players in nhl" are benefiting from a league that is faster than ever.
- The Speed Gap: If you can't skate at least 22 mph in bursts, you're basically a pylon.
- Younger Peaks: We’re seeing players dominate at 19 and 20 in ways we haven't seen since the 80s.
- Power Play Efficiency: The Pittsburgh Penguins, led by a 38-year-old Sidney Crosby, are rocking a 34.1% power play. That's essentially a goal every three tries.
What's actually happening is a shift in how we value players. It used to be about the "grind." Now, it’s about "edge" stats—max speed, burst count, and high-danger conversion.
How to Actually Watch These Guys
If you’re trying to keep up with the best in the world, stop looking at just the box scores. Follow the "speed burst" metrics. When you see a guy like Jake Sanderson for Ottawa hitting 24.37 mph, you realize why he’s suddenly one of the best lockdown defenders in the North.
Keep an eye on the schedule for the 4 Nations Face-Off and the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. That is where these rankings will actually be settled. Seeing McDavid, MacKinnon, and Celebrini on the same Team Canada roster is going to be a fever dream for hockey fans.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, watch the Sharks. I know, it sounds weird. But Celebrini and Will Smith are the future of the league, and they're arriving a lot faster than anyone expected. Check out the NHL EDGE stats once a week to see who is actually gaining ground on the veterans. The gap between the "established stars" and the "new kids" has never been thinner.