NHL rank: Top 50 players in the Stanley Cup playoffs
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ESPN staff
At the beginning of every NHL season, we publish NHL Rank, a project where ESPN’s hockey analysts vote to determine the best 100 players for the upcoming season.
Now that every team has completed its 82-game campaign and they’ve been whittled down to our 16-team Stanley Cup Playoff bracket, it’s time to redo the rankings, limiting the list to the top 50 players on playoff teams.
Here’s the playoff edition of ESPN NHL Rank, which seeks to identify the top forwards, defensemen and goaltenders in the upcoming Stanley Cup playoffs. Dozens of voters participated, choosing one winner in a series of head-to-head voting matchups created from the players on the 16 postseason qualifiers.
The following list features NHL award winners, previous Stanley Cup champions and stars who are seeking that first taste of championship glory. As you’ll see, our voters made some interesting calls at the top regarding which players they believe are the best of the best in the 2023 NHL postseason.
2022-23 stats: 64 G | 89 A | 153 PTS
Preseason rank: 1
How does the player considered to be the most dominant in the world further cement his place within the game? Simple: By leading the NHL in goals (64), assists (89) and points (153). Those career-high figures are why McDavid is the front-runner for his third Hart Trophy.
Last year’s postseason saw McDavid break through for 10 goals and lead the league with 33 points over a 16-game run that saw the Oilers reach the Western Conference finals. McDavid carrying his career regular-season exploits into this year’s playoffs could see the Oilers go even further. — Ryan S. Clark
2022-23 stats: 42 G | 69 A | 111 PTS
Preseason rank: 4
Everything MacKinnon achieved in last year’s Stanley Cup playoffs played a part in the Avs’ winning their third championship in team history. So often lauded for his pure pace, power and scoring ability, MacKinnon showed he can be an all-around threat to those not familiar with his game.
Injuries were a massive factor for the Avs this season, with MacKinnon missing 11 contests himself. But it did not prevent the 27-year-old from notching his first 100-point campaign while further reinforcing why the Avs could repeat as champions. — Clark
2022-23 stats: 43 G | 56 A | 99 PTS
Preseason rank: 45
There are several explanations for how the Devils ended a four-year playoff drought. Having Hughes is one of them. The 21-year-old’s gradual improvement exploded into a 99-point campaign that could have reached the century mark if not for his missing four games due to injury.
Still, Hughes was a major reason the Devils reached the playoffs and fell a point shy of winning the Metropolitan Division. Now it is a matter of seeing what Hughes will do next in his first postseason appearance.— Clark
2022-23 stats: 52 G | 76 A | 128 PTS
Preseason rank: 6
Because having only one player with a Hart Trophy and multiple 100-point seasons just isn’t enough in today’s economy. Draisaitl used this season to notch his third 50-goal campaign while also reaching the century club for the fourth time in his career, finishing with a personal-best 128 points.
His ability to create for himself and his teammates allowed Draisaitl to lead all players in assists while finishing second in points last postseason (32). It reaffirms the notion that these playoffs have a chance to be special for the Oilers. — Clark
2022-23 stats: 40-6-1 | 1.89 GAA | .938 SV%
Preseason rank: NR
Seven. That’s how many combined regulation and overtime losses Ullmark had in what was one of the strongest individual campaigns in the NHL this season. Ullmark’s second season with the Bruins showed his importance to a team that’s trying to parlay a historic regular season into one that could end with Boston hoisting a Stanley Cup.
Ullmark went 0-2 with a 4.17 goals-against average and a .860 save percentage in last year’s playoffs. But if Ullmark can carry his regular-season exploits into this year’s postseason? It could lead to the Bruins winning their seventh Stanley Cup in team history. — Clark
2022-23 stats: 61 G | 52 A | 113 PTS
Preseason rank: 21
Pastrnak continued to strengthen his place in the discussion as the most dangerous winger in the NHL. His 61 goals are proof that he’s an even more lethal scorer, while his 52 assists show he’s a problem when he’s creating for others.
It all amounts to Pastrnak being a Hart Trophy hopeful who has been one of the biggest reasons the Bruins are a legitimate Stanley Cup challenger. For his career, he is averaging more than a point per game over 70 playoff contests, numbers he could boost this postseason. — Clark
7. Cale Makar, D, Colorado Avalanche
2022-23 stats: 17 G | 49 A | 66 PTS
Preseason rank: 2
He’s the reigning Conn Smythe and Norris Trophy winner who does everything required of a contemporary top-four defenseman — he can facilitate play, log heavy minutes, orchestrate a power play and be a trusted member of a penalty kill. Injuries played a massive part in the dip of Makar’s regular-season statistics.
But when he was healthy, he led the league in average ice time and was forced to take on an expanded role to help the Avs circumvent their perpetual injury woes. Seeing what Makar does for a follow-up act could be the key in the Avs winning a second consecutive Stanley Cup. — Clark
2022-23 stats: 9 G | 40 A | 49 PTS
Preseason rank: 8
It’s hard to argue any defenseman is more vital to his team’s success than Hedman. The Lightning have played more hockey than anyone the past three seasons — three straight trips to the Stanley Cup Final will do that — and Hedman has been the same stalwart presence leading Tampa Bay from the back end.
This season he has crushed major top-pairing minutes (23:43 per night) again, and added offensively (49 points in 76 games). At 32, Hedman continues adjusting his game to work smarter, not harder, so he can keep shutting down the next wave of snipers hoping to knock Tampa Bay off track. — Kristen Shilton
2022-23 stats: 40 G | 45 A | 85 PTS
Preseason rank: 3
Even a so-called down year for Matthews is still superior. The Maple Leafs’ top center didn’t approach the 60-goal mark again this season, but he did notch 40 for the fifth time in his seven NHL campaigns, while averaging 1.15 points per game. Matthews has the ability to elevate those around him and is at his best bringing a strong two-way game nightly for the Leafs.
The 25-year-old also possesses one of the league’s most lethal, unpredictable shots, and when he’s rolling, remains a goalie’s worst nightmare and a matchup problem against any opponent. — Shilton
2022-23 stats: 12 G | 60 A | 72 PTS
Preseason rank: 23
Fox won the Norris Trophy in his second season in the NHL and has gotten even better since then. The 25-year-old drives play at 5-on-5, quarterbacks the team’s powerful power play and is effective in his own end as well.
Fox had 72 points in 82 games for the Rangers; while those aren’t bonkers Erik Karlsson numbers, they could be good enough to get Fox back into the Norris top three. — Greg Wyshynski
2022-23 stats: 30 G | 83 A | 113 PTS
Preseason rank: 5
The NHL is rife with playmakers — but few can touch Kucherov in that category. The Lightning winger was second only to McDavid in assists this season (83), racked up a cool 113 points and kept Tampa Bay’s offense humming in a challenging season of ups and downs for the team. Kucherov is the kind of difference-maker who can take over an entire game, single-handedly throw an opponent off course or come through with that timely play to secure a playoff outcome.
He has done it all before, and it’s why Kucherov perennially remains a feared, fierce presence on the ice. — Shilton
2022-23 stats: 34-22-4 | 2.65 GAA | .915 SV%
Preseason rank: 10
It seems impossible Vasilevskiy is just 28 years old. Tampa Bay’s starter has won everything from Vezina Trophies to Stanley Cups to Conn Smythe honors. Since 2018-19, Vasilevskiy has paced the NHL in playoff wins (48) with a .925 SV% and 2.18 GAA and has carried the Lightning to loftier heights than the franchise might have ever imagined.
Vasilevskiy constantly shows an ability to flip the switch even during difficult stretches, and when victory is on the line — particularly in the postseason — Tampa Bay’s No. 1 is known to deliver the knockout, shutout punch his team requires to stay on top. — Shilton
2022-23 stats: 7 G | 45 A | 52 PTS
Preseason rank: 34
McAvoy brings it all for the Bruins. Elite, top-pairing defensive pedigree with shutdown capability? Check. Ability to log important minutes at 5-on-5, on the power play and penalty kill? You bet. Contributes offensively on the score sheet? No question (52 points in 67 games this season).
If Boston has a jack-of-all-trades, it’s McAvoy. At 25 years old he already has proved to be a top-10, if not top-5, blueliner in the NHL and even great years like the one his teammate Hampus Lindholm is having on the Bruins’ back end can’t snuff out how critical McAvoy is to Boston’s success. — Shilton
2022-23 stats: 36 G | 31 A | 67 PTS
Preseason rank: 22
There’s a reason Aho is Carolina’s MVP season after season. The 25-year-old rarely seems to be rattled. His 36 goals this season marked the fourth time he has passed the 30-goal plateau and his 26 even-strength scores were a career best as well. Aho is consistent (averaging nearly 20 minutes TOI per game), but he can also wield enough flash to rank with any of the NHL’s other dynamic performers.
When the Hurricanes need someone to come through, they can more often than not count on Aho to create a game-changing moment. — Shilton
2022-23 stats: 21 G | 46 A | 67 PTS
Preseason rank: 43
Everyone loves to hate Marchand, but any player outside the Bruins would want the winger on his side. Marchand can be both a get-under-your-skin pest and a first-class scoring threat, bowling a guy over before blowing past a goaltender.
It’s a unique line few players in the league can or would even try to balance on. Marchand has made a career in that dual space, and it’s a key to the 34-year-old’s longevity, as he’s still among Boston’s best performers (sitting second in points this season). — Shilton
2022-23 stats: 34 G | 50 A | 84 PTS
Preseason rank: 20
Stamkos hit a pair of career milestones this season in recording his 500th goal and 1,000th point. His production declined from last season, but that’s all relative when you’re Steven Stamkos: The 33-year-old captain had 84 points in 81 games as the Lightning pushed for a fourth straight trip to the Stanley Cup Final. — Wyshynski
2022-23 stats: 55 G | 50 A | 105 PTS
Preseason rank: 24
The Avalanche saw their lineup ravaged by injuries after winning the Stanley Cup last postseason, with players like Makar missing time and captain Gabriel Landeskog out for the season.
Only four Colorado players appeared in all 82 games, and Rantanen clearly had the greatest impact. The winger set a new career high for goals (55) and points (105), breaking the century mark for the first time. He scored 42 of those goals at even strength, buoyed by an increase in shot volume (306 on the season). The Avs won the Central again, and Rantanen was a primary reason. — Wyshynski
18. Brayden Point, C, Tampa Bay Lightning
2022-23 stats: 51 G | 44 A | 95 PTS
Preseason rank: 26
Point is a soft-spoken player, so it’s only appropriate that his career-best offensive season seemingly flew under everyone’s radar. The 27-year-old center had 51 goals and 95 points, playing all 82 games for the Lighting. His days as a burgeoning Selke candidate have passed, but Point reestablished himself as an offensive force this season. — Wyshynski
2022-23 stats: 31 G | 49 A | 80 PTS
Preseason rank: NR
Hischier’s rise has been a slow burn. Before this season, the Devils’ captain was a solid two-way skater and reliable playmaker. This season, Hischier turned up the heat.
In his sixth NHL campaign, New Jersey’s top pivot started shooting more and generating offense from quality areas to be a bona fide threat on both sides of the puck. Hischier is impressive on the cycle, too, adding dimension for a Devils team that loves scoring off the rush. The harder Hischier remains to match up against, the better for New Jersey. He’s showing that capability more and more. — Shilton
2022-23 stats: 37-13-8 | 2.48 GAA | .916 SV%
Preseason rank: 11
Shesterkin followed his Vezina Trophy win with another strong season for the Rangers. The 27-year-old netminder posted a .916 save percentage and a 2.48 goals-against average to backstop the Rangers back to the postseason after leading them to the Eastern Conference final. He was fifth in the NHL in goals saved above average. One of the few goalies in the playoffs that could win a series on his own. — Wyshynski
2:10
Who is the Bruins’ biggest threat to hoisting the Stanley Cup?
P.K. Subban points to the Oilers as the Bruins’ biggest Stanley Cup threat and speaks to the greatness of Connor McDavid.
2022-23 stats: 46 G | 63 A | 109 PTS
Preseason rank: 30
2022-23 stats: 10 G | 43 A | 53 PTS
Preseason rank: 76
2022-23 stats: 40 G | 35 A | 75 PTS
Preseason rank: 7
2022-23 stats: 11 G | 62 A | 73 PTS
Preseason rank: 28
2022-23 stats: 40 G | 69 A | 109 PTS
Preseason rank: 19
2022-23 stats: 37-25-2 | 2.49 GAA | .920 SV%
Preseason rank: 46
27. Mitch Marner, RW, Toronto Maple Leafs
2022-23 stats: 30 G | 69 A | 99 PTS
Preseason rank: 12
2022-23 stats: 17 G | 21 A | 38 PTS
Preseason rank: 42
2022-23 stats: 39 G | 52 A | 91 PTS
Preseason rank: 16
2022-23 stats: 27 G | 31 A | 58 PTS
Preseason rank: 51
2022-23 stats: 31-22-7 | 2.34 GAA | 0.924 SV%
Preseason rank: 82
2022-23 stats: 22 G | 52 A | 74 PTS
Preseason rank: 63
2022-23 stats: 29 G | 63 A | 92 PTS
Preseason rank: 18
2022-23 stats: 40 G | 47 A | 87 PTS
Preseason rank: 89
35. Jack Eichel, C, Vegas Golden Knights
2022-23 stats: 27 G | 39 A | 66 PTS
Preseason rank: 25
36. Jaccob Slavin, D, Carolina Hurricanes
2022-23 stats: 7 G | 20 A | 27 PTS
Preseason rank: 69
37. Patrick Kane, RW, New York Rangers
2022-23 stats: 21 G | 36 A | 57 PTS
Preseason rank: 40
38. Shea Theodore, D, Vegas Golden Knights
2022-23 stats: 8 G | 33 A | 41 PTS
Preseason rank: HM
2022-23 stats: 37-11-11 | 2.37 GAA | .919 SV%
Preseason rank: 88
2022-23 stats: 37 G | 38 A | 75 PTS
Preseason rank: NR
2022-23 stats: 23 G | 49 A | 72 PTS
Preseason rank: 57
2022-23 stats: 29-14-5 | 2.75 GAA | .914 SV%
Preseason rank: NR
43. Timo Meier, RW, New Jersey Devils
2022-23 stats: 40 G | 26 A | 66 PTS
Preseason rank: NR
2022-23 stats: 23 G | 55 A | 78 PTS
Preseason rank: 9
2022-23 stats: 37 G | 67 A | 104 PTS
Preseason rank: NR
2022-23 stats: 10 G | 54 A | 64 PTS
Preseason rank: 75
47. Evander Kane, LW, Edmonton Oilers
2022-23 stats: 16 G | 12 A | 28 PTS
Preseason rank: 100
2022-23 stats: 12 G | 31 A | 43 PTS
Preseason rank: 62
49. Morgan Rielly, D, Toronto Maple Leafs
2022-23 stats: 4 G | 37 A | 41 PTS
Preseason rank: 79
50. Anze Kopitar, C, Los Angeles Kings
2022-23 stats: 28 G | 46 A | 74 PTS
Preseason rank: 91
Sports
Impending free agents, aging stars and an injured ace: How much longer can the Phillies keep contending?
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David Schoenfield
A baseball team’s season doesn’t really come down to one play, or two plays, but if you’re a loyal fan of the Philadelphia Phillies, the final play of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers will live in your nightmares for a long time.
Orion Kerkering‘s throwing error, leading to the Phillies’ elimination in Game 4 of the NLDS, is another addition to the list of heartbreaking postseason defeats. It’s a long list, of course, because that’s what playoff baseball does. But there were two other short throws from Game 2 that might have also impacted the outcome of the series: (1) Trea Turner‘s throw that was wide right to catcher J.T. Realmuto, allowing Teoscar Hernandez to beat the tag and slide in safely and leading to a four-run rally for the Dodgers, and (2) Max Muncy firing a perfect throw to Mookie Betts on a bunt attempt in the ninth inning that nailed Nick Castellanos at third base as the Dodgers held on for a 4-3 victory.
It’s easy to think about the what-ifs — what if either throw went a few inches the other way? Or if Kerkering threw to first base instead of home? But it’s not as simple as a few throws, although those plays highlight the small margin of error in the playoffs.
The Phillies’ season is also over because the big names didn’t hit. During this four-year run of what you might call the Bryce Harper/Kyle Schwarber era, they reached the World Series — somewhat surprisingly — in 2022 but haven’t made it back despite having some of the top front-line talent in the sport. In fact, the Phillies are 3-10 in their past 13 postseason games and 2-8 in their past 10.
In those 10 games, they’ve hit .195 as a team. Harper hit .206 with one home run and three RBIs. Schwarber hit .162 with three home runs and four RBIs, two of those home runs and three of the RBIs coming in Game 3 of this series. The others around them didn’t fare any better in those 10 games, with Turner, Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh each hitting under .200.
As the Phillies soak up a disappointing end to 2025, you have to wonder if this might be the end of this era of Phillies baseball. Schwarber, Realmuto and Ranger Suarez are free agents this offseason. Zack Wheeler will attempt a comeback following thoracic outlet syndrome surgery — though his timeline is uncertain. Aaron Nola is coming off a 6.01 ERA. And to top it all off, their four most valuable position players this season were all 32 or older.
The Phillies have had a remarkably stable roster of core players during this four-year run, and though they might look very different in 2026, one thing is for certain: Harper is not going anywhere. Signed through 2031, he has connected with the fans of Philadelphia like few athletes do in their adopted cities. He also knows their pain.
“I know fans are upset. I know the city’s upset. Obviously, it’s warranted. We’re upset in here as well,” Harper said after Game 4. “Our daily life is Phillies baseball. This is our family in here. This is what we do. We want to win not just for ourselves, but for everybody that watches us play. … I want to hold the trophy and that’s the goal every single time you get into spring training.”
While most people in baseball don’t believe the Phillies will let Schwarber go, not coming off his 56-homer campaign, the reality of the situation is clear: This is an aging roster with a high payroll. They have a committed owner in John Middleton, who has run top-five payrolls, and a future Hall of Fame executive in Dave Dombrowski, who knows how to build teams loaded with star players, but throwing more money at older players feels risky, even for a team coming off a 96-win season and trying to win the World Series.
The organization is at a critical juncture, one that eerily resembles another Phillies era: the 2007-2011 teams that won five consecutive NL East titles and the World Series in 2008. If anything, that group was even more talented than this one — and the best of those teams was the 2011 squad that won 102 games, only to lose in the NLDS. But look what happened to those Phillies as the front office tried to keep winning with the same team:
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In 2012, they finished 81-81.
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In 2013, they finished 73-89.
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In 2014, they finished 73-89 and in last place in the division.
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In 2015, they hit rock bottom and finished an MLB-worst 63-99.
The similarities between the Phillies of the past four years and those 2007-2011 teams are more than a little eerie:
1. That 2011 NLDS ended with a 1-0 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals and on an atypical final play, when Ryan Howard grounded out and blew out his Achilles.
2. The ace of the 2011 staff was Roy Halladay, who won 19 games and posted 8.8 WAR. He was never the same again, suffering a shoulder injury the next season and winning just 15 more games in the majors. Wheeler, who had posted 5.0 WAR before this season ended when a blood clot was discovered near his right shoulder in August, will have to overcome a major injury at age 35 — the same age as Halladay in 2012.
3. The average weighted age (based on playing time) of the 2011 Phillies position players was 31.5, the oldest in the NL. The average age of the 2025 Phillies position players was 30.3, second oldest in the NL.
4. The 2011 Phillies had locked themselves into some hefty long-term contracts for older players. Howard had signed a five-year, $125 million extension in 2010 that didn’t begin until the 2012 season and was worth minus-5.0 WAR over those five seasons. Cliff Lee had signed a $120 million extension running through 2015, but he got hurt and won just four games in 2014, not even pitching in 2015. They banked on Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins to remain stars as they entered their age-33 seasons in 2012, but that didn’t happen.
The 2025 Phillies have similar issues with Wheeler making $42 million the next two seasons, Nola signed all the way through 2030, and are banking on Harper and Turner remaining productive as they enter their age-33 seasons in 2026.
It’s also hard to imagine the Phillies suddenly rebuilding. That’s not in the nature of Middleton or Dombrowski. Even with the uncertainty with Wheeler, they have another ace in Cristopher Sanchez, plus Jesus Luzardo for one more season. We might finally see top prospect Andrew Painter enter the rotation in 2026. Taijuan Walker is still around for another year, so even if they don’t re-sign Sanchez, the rotation could be solid, although a lot of that depends on Nola bouncing back. Closer Jhoan Duran is under team control for two more seasons, so Philadelphia at least finally has some stability in the ninth inning. The other key relievers will be back, including Jose Alvarado, if his $9 million club option is exercised (not a sure thing given his PED suspension made him ineligible for the postseason).
On the position player side, Castellanos ($20 million) and Walker ($18 million) come off the books after 2026, so that’s money that can go to re-signing Schwarber. They also have a pair of highly touted prospects in shortstop/third baseman Aidan Miller and outfielder Justin Crawford, who should both be ready at some point in 2026, so that’s an opportunity to weave in some younger players.
There’s also the question of who will be managing this group for the long run. While Rob Thomson is under contract through the 2026 season, there are always rumblings that it might be time for a change after a string of painful playoff exits.
Despite that potential uncertainty, Thomson has no doubt about what the Phillies will have planned for 2026: “John [Middleton] is going to spend money. He wants to win. He wants a world champion. There’s good years ahead, no doubt.”
That may very well be the case. It’s easy to envision the Phillies right back in this position next October, hoping Harper and Schwarber get hot at the right time, hoping the right throws are made this time, hoping the whims of postseason baseball go their way. History, however, also suggests that’s hardly a sure thing.
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