NHL Rank: Counting down the top 100 players for 2023-24
There has never been a better time to be a hockey fan, with legendary players such as Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin still playing at a high level, in-their-prime superstars like Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews generating highlight-reel fodder on a nightly basis, and a rising crop of tantalizing youngsters such as Connor Bedard and Matty Beniers.
So how are we expected to rank them?
We asked an ESPN panel of more than 50 broadcasters, analysts, reporters and editors to rate players based on how good they will be in the 2023-24 season compared to their peers. Emphasis was placed on their value for this upcoming season, which explains why players that are currently out injured (but expected to return) might be lower than if they were completely healthy.
The New Jersey Devils and Tampa Bay Lightning lead the charge with six players each in the top 100, while the Anaheim Ducks and Philadelphia Flyers failed to get anyone on our list. Positionally, centers continue to dominate, with 34 of 100 slots and six of the top 10. Defensemen accounted for 28 of 100 spots, while nine goalies made the top 100 (and only one in the top 25). As for the wings, left wings win this round, with 18 in the top 100 compared to 11 right wings.
Write-ups are courtesy of ESPN reporters Ryan S. Clark, Kristen Shilton and Greg Wyshynski.
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2022-23 rank: 98
Age: 29
While his profile has receded as the Sharks have in the standings, Hertl is still a high-level power forward in the West. — Wyshynski
2022-23 rank: 55
Age: 32
A perennial Selke Trophy candidate, O’Reilly is looking to make his mark on a Predators team that fell three points shy of the final wild-card spot. — Clark
2022-23 rank: NR
Age: 20
A Calder Trophy finalist and member of the NHL’s All-Rookie Team for 2022-23, the No. 1 pick of the 2021 draft just inked a seven-year contract extension that begins with the 2024-25 season. — Clark
2022-23 rank: NR
Age: 35
When you average out the play of “Regular-Season Bob” (.901 save percentage, 3.07 goals-against average) with “Playoff Bob” (.915, 2.78) you get a goaltender worthy of being in the top 100. — Wyshynski
2022-23 rank: 79
Age: 29
While he had a bit of defensive regression last season, Rielly remains one of the league’s better offensive defensemen, skating for a team with Stanley Cup aspirations. — Wyshynski
2022-23 rank: 53
Age: 30
Miller has put contract uncertainty behind him and is settled back into Vancouver, where he’s gathered back-to-back 30-plus goal seasons and started this season off with a four-point effort to boot. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 64
Age: 33
Carlson’s value to the Capitals’ might best be understood in how much the team struggled without him last season — Washington’s play sunk after losing their top defender to injury, and having him back now will be a needed boost. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 80
Age: 33
Tavares remains an effective top-six center who is quietly averaging a point-per-game each season. Last season he produced an unheralded 36-goal campaign to eclipse the 30-plus goal mark for the first time since 2018-19. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 73
Age: 33
Though he falls in the rankings here, Doughty had the second-most points of his illustrious career last season. A key piece as the Kings push for another Cup. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 50
Age: 26
If not for the lower-body injury that sidelined him for two months, Barzal would have scored more than 70 points for the second time in his career. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 74
Age: 29
Trouba packs a punch from the blue line, both with his steady two-way contributions and the throwback physical nature of his game that continues to divide NHL fans. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 37
Age: 24
Thomas’ greatest strengths are his smarts on the ice and how instinctive he is with and without the puck. These are quite valuable traits in the franchise’s prized two-way centerman. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: NR
Age: 18
The thing about ranking the Blackhawks’ rookie phenom here? There’s an equal chance it could be seen as too high or too low by season’s end. What’s clear already: Bedard’s shot and offensive creativity should have him mentioned among the NHL’s brightest stars in short order. — Wyshynski
2022-23 rank: NR
Age: 29
A newcomer to the rankings, Montour used last season to show that he can handle what comes with being a top-four defenseman on a Cup contender, finishing with 73 points in 80 games. Offseason shoulder surgery will delay the start of his 2023-24 season by a couple months. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 54
Age: 33
Kadri’s first season in Calgary was productive (including his fifth time scoring 20-plus goals), but he and the Flames are hoping for a breakthrough this season after missing the playoffs in 2022-23. — Clark
2022-23 rank: HM
Age: 22
The artist known as “Goal Caufield” is coming off injury and has a chance to hit the 30-goal mark — a feat he could have achieved last season if completely healthy. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 95
Age: 33
Aside from winning his second Stanley Cup, Pietrangelo tied his career-best mark in points last season (54). — Clark
2022-23 rank: 47
Age: 25
Injuries have frustrated Laine lately, but when healthy, the Blue Jackets’ star winger is a highly effective contributor with the size, speed and shot to drive Columbus’ offense. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 70
Age: 26
Boeser has an excellent shot and nose for the net that could lead him toward a career-best season, especially if that four-goal outing on opening night is indicative of similar performances to come. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: NR
Age: 25
Bratt has broken out as a marvelous scorer in his own right. But paired with teammate Jack Hughes? That’s serious trouble for the rest of the league. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 49
Age: 27
Demko’s terrific athleticism and composure have always stood out, and with consistency to match he could stay perennially ranked among the NHL’s most effective netminders. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 69
Age: 29
Slavin remains one of the most trusted defensemen in the league, forming one of the league’s premier partnerships alongside Brent Burns. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 38
Age: 22
How Seider performs in his third season could be central to how the revamped Red Wings fare this season. — Clark
2022-23 rank: NR
Age: 22
Boldy rightfully turned heads in his first full NHL season, with a 31-goal showing that highlighted a highly effective emerging talent with terrific hands and vision. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 52
Age: 25
Kyrou often comes through in the clutch for St. Louis, setting up timely goals — or scoring them himself — with an enviable speed and agility. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 59
Age: 29
Signing Toews to a seven-year extension will keep him teamed up with Cale Makar, as they’ve formed one of the best pairings in the league. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 67
Age: 39
The second-oldest player in the NHL gave the Stars the type of venerable two-way presence that further legitimized their window of contention. — Clark
2022-23 rank: NR
Age: 25
Dubois is a big, rangy center who fills that top-nine role as well as he does the net with a consistent 20-plus goal output. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 72
Age: 30
Scheifele has been a dependable point-per-game producer and high-skilled top-six piece for Winnipeg his entire career — hence the organization investing seven more years in him to keep their impactful center in-house. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 56
Age: 29
Guentzel made a quick recovery from offseason ankle surgery to start the season for Pittsburgh, who need every ounce of Guentzel’s scoring touch and playmaking ability to be at their best. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 15
Age: 30
Huberdeau had a rough first season in Calgary — with a humbling slide in point total to prove it — but under the Flames’ new regime, he has potential to reignite his offensive spark. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 35
Age: 26
Connor recovered from a slow start to record his fifth season of more than 30 goals for the Jets. — Clark
2022-23 rank: NR
Age: 30
All RNH did in 2022-23 was notch his first 100-point season — and score more points last season than he did the previous two seasons combined. — Clark
2022-23 rank: NR
Age: 20
The reigning Calder Trophy winner is the face of an upstart Kraken franchise trying to show last year’s playoff appearance was no accident. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 36
Age: 25
A change could do DeBrincat good after the high-flying winger saw his numbers drop slightly last season in Ottawa — but he’s off a strong start already in his first campaign leading the Red Wings’ offense — Shilton
2022-23 rank: NR
Age: 31
Toffoli led the Flames with 34 goals last season and joined a high-octane Devils offense via trade in the offseason. — Wyshynski
2022-23 rank: 39
Age: 26
Lineup absences have clouded Werenski’s reputation, because otherwise he’s played at an elite level throughout his eight-year NHL career. — Wyshynski
2022-23 rank: NR
Age: 28
His breakout season saw him become a first-time NHL All-Star who finished in the top five of Norris Trophy voting. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 76
Age: 28
Underrated no more, Lindholm has firmly established himself as a preeminent two-way center who anchors the Flames’ offense while raising the teammates around him. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: NR
Age: 38
Burns is as known for his point totals and shot generation as he is for his hirsute face and menagerie of pets. — Wyshynski
2022-23 rank: 58
Age: 24
If Hughes can harness what he did under Rick Tocchet for a full season, it could prove big as the Canucks make a push to get back into the playoff mix. — Clark
2022-23 rank: HM
Age: 32
A six-time 20-goal scorer, the reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner is one of the many reasons the Golden Knights could make it two in a row. — Clark
2022-23 rank: NR
Age: 27
Meier is a sharpshooting forward with the physical edge and all-around ability to be a problem on the ice — unless, of course, you’re on his side. New Jersey should rely on him for 30-plus goals a season for the foreseeable future. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 10
Age: 29
For all that he has accomplished, it’s possible his two-month absence to start the season could further underscore his importance to the Bolts. When healthy, still one of the world’s most dominant goaltenders. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 92
Age: 36
Letang has faithfully — and successfully — patrolled Pittsburgh’s blue line for nearly two decades and can still find ways to thrive in a consistent top-four role. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: NR
Age: 25
Breaking out to score 37 goals and 86 points pushed Keller into the top 100 — and helps foster the idea that the Coyotes could be turning a corner back to contention. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 48
Age: 27
Larkin is continuously growing into a more complete 200-foot skater, with a heightened focus on defense to complement his impressive offensive stats. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 75
Age: 25
The Lightning lean on Sergachev to play important minutes in any situation, and the blueliner delivers on both sides of the puck, doubling his offensive totals last season while maintaining a high level of defensive play. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 97
Age: 29
Jones remains a mobile puck-mover with the vision and booming shot to threaten from the blue line. Chicago relies on him to carry a heavy load, and he’s continued to provide steady returns. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 29
Age: 28
No goalie faced more shots than Saros last season, and his efforts nearly dragged the Predators to the playoffs. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 27
Age: 29
What could a healthy Forsberg accomplish in a goal-friendly system like the one he now has with new coach Andrew Brunette? His career high is 84 points, scored in 69 games in 2021-22. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 63
Age: 30
There’s a potency to Hamilton’s offensive game that’s unrivaled by many of his peers. The defender’s stickhandling and powerful shot make him a threat in every on-ice situation — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 99
Age: 25
Chychrun excels in small spaces on the ice, forcing opponents to the outside and disrupting chances off the rush. A series of injuries have made availability an issue, but when he’s in, Chychrun makes his presence felt. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: NR
Age: 30
Ullmark was the league’s darling in net last season, pacing all goalies in most statistical categories and winning his first Vezina Trophy after backstopping Boston to a record-breaking regular-season finish. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 57
Age: 27
Fiala combines explosiveness with composure, with a shiftiness making him difficult to defend. It’s no wonder he’s clocked more than a point per game in consecutive seasons with the Kings. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 91
Age: 36
L.A.’s captain is only getting better with age. He’s one of the league’s premier two-way centers, leading by example for the Kings’ crop of rising young stars. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 87
Age: 25
The tallest player (at 6-foot-6) to ever score 40 goals and 90 points in a single season is expected to come up big again for a team seeking its first playoff berth in more than a decade. — Clark
2022-23 rank: NR
Age: 29
Lindholm was the breakout star of Boston’s blue line last season, producing career-best numbers as a mobile puck-mover who can be a sneaky-good asset in the Bruins’ transition game. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 16
Age: 30
Zibanejad is an instinctive forward who thrills as both scorer and playmaker. Now entering his 30s, Zibanejad’s numbers continue going up — which is great news for New York’s present and future prospects. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: NR
Age: 33
Karlsson’s jaw-dropping 101-point performance in San Jose last season put him firmly back under the league’s spotlight and earned the veteran an unexpected Norris Trophy. Now with the Penguins, it’s time to chase a Stanley Cup. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 89
Age: 27
Nylander hit 40 goals for the first time last season and had a strong showing in the playoffs (10 points in 11 games). It was a reminder of how good Nylander’s offense can be when the winger is consistent with the all-around details of his game. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 33
Age: 30
Things can only be looking up for Gaudreau in Columbus after a tough first season. The veteran scored at a high level, dropping in 21 goals and 74 points that showed that even under bleak circumstances, Gaudreau can be an offensive spark. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 42
Age: 31
Regular season or playoffs, Stone is the two-way constant who is trying to captain the Golden Knights to back-to-back championships. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 17
Age: 38
Ovi moved into second on the NHL’s all-time goals list, and he finished with higher than a point-per-game average as well. Will he catch Wayne Gretzky this season? — Clark
2022-23 rank: NR
Age: 26
Everything Hintz pulled off last season (75 points in the regular season, followed by 24 in 19 playoff games) has created the expectation that he could be the next star to ascend in Dallas. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 43
Age: 35
Marchand’s consistency as a bona fide top-six producer for Boston is more important than ever with Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci having retired. The Bruins’ new captain hasn’t lost his feisty edge, either, and he pairs it with impressive offensive totals. That’s no easy feat in a league that continuously seems to value youth over everything. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 88
Age: 24
Last season allowed Oettinger to showcase what makes him valuable to the Stars, as one of the handful of goalies who can play nightly in this era of tandems. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 20
Age: 33
The longtime Lightning captain has hardly entered the twilight of his career, as the past two seasons have been among his best. Stamkos is as competitive and smart as they come on the ice, and those are lasting traits to keep him on pace with the Bolts’ high-flying forward group. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 18
Age: 31
Panarin wields equal talent as scorer and playmaker, with a pass-first flair that pays major dividends for his teammates. He’s an undeniable driver of the Rangers’ offense and seems poised to possibly hit the 100-point mark this season for the first time in his career. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: NR
Age: 24
Hischier raised the bar last season with a breakout performance that included eclipsing 30 goals for the first time and establishing himself as one of the league’s finest two-way centers. If Hischier keeps that up, the crescendo of Selke Trophy buzz building around him will keep getting louder. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 82
Age: 28
Don’t let last season’s breakout fool you; Sorokin was no overnight success on Long Island. The netminder had been underrated until he served up a top-three SV% among regular starters (.924) in 2022-23 and carried New York on his back into the postseason. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 28
Age: 24
Last season showed the offensive side of his game. Could this be the season Heiskanen makes a push for the Norris Trophy? — Clark
2022-23 rank: 11
Age: 27
Shesterkin’s performances have validated him as one of the best goalies in the game, and he’s one of the main reasons the Rangers have legitimate title aspirations. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 14
Age: 33
Another all-around defenseman who has been among the NHL’s best. Seeing how he’ll perform in this new era of the Predators will be fascinating. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 68
Age: 23
Dahlin is as dynamic from the blue line as any forward, with the skating, stickhandling and shooting ability to prove it. The 23-year-old is fresh off a career-best season in which he averaged nearly a point per game while showing off the defensive traits that earned him Norris Trophy buzz. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 34
Age: 25
Having a do-everything, puck-moving defenseman has become pretty much a necessity in today’s NHL. That’s what makes McAvoy so valuable to the Bruins’ success both now and in the future. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 26
Age: 27
Tampa Bay is literally not the same team without Point. He’s the Lightning’s jack-of-all-trades, a potent scoring threat at 5-on-5 and special teams, with a strong defensive foundation he uses to generate even more offensive opportunities for himself and others. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 13
Age: 36
Whether or not the Penguins have aged out of Stanley Cup contention, Crosby remains one of the NHL’s best point producers as he enters the twilight years of a legendary career. — Wyshynski
2022-23 rank: 22
Age: 26
Aho provides the sort of consistent two-way presence that practically makes him the embodiment of the Hurricanes. It’s something the Canes will seek to tap into once again in a season that has them as a top Stanley Cup contender. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 85
Age: 21
Stutzle has the breakneck speed, skating ability and the scoring touch of a burgeoning offensive star. His dominant 90-point season in 2022-23 just scratched the surface of where Stutzle’s all-around skill set came take him (and the Senators). — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 12
Age: 26
Marner dazzles like few playmakers can. Still more confident passing than shooting, Marner has put together consecutive seasons of nearly 100 points, with a maturing defensive game to match his offensive prowess. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 31
Age: 24
There’s an electric energy and obvious confidence that elevates Tkachuk above the competition. He’s already a perennial 30-plus goal scorer with a solid two-way foundation, and his high character is an asset Ottawa will continue to appreciate from its young captain. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 8
Age: 32
Could this season be the most important of Hedman’s career? He is seemingly always on the ice for critical minutes, and will continue to prove crucial as the Lightning seek to navigate life without Andrei Vasilevskiy for the first two months of the season. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 7
Age: 26
Kaprizov is a goal-scoring menace who is more than capable of creating challenges when he distributes. He is among the game’s best wingers and a pivotal figure in the Wild’s bid to reach the playoffs once again. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 32
Age: 24
Opening the season with a four-point game shows why he has been compared to aliens since the moment he debuted. It’s another example of what has made Pettersson a franchise cornerstone for a team trying to change its fortunes. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 9
Age: 28
It’s possible the “he’s underrated” talk could still exist. But what Barkov did last season by serving as the two-way anchor who captained the Panthers to the Stanley Cup Final has made him harder to ignore. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 46
Age: 30
Hellebuyck has handled a heavier load than any goaltender in the league in recent seasons, and done it so well the Jets extended their workhorse on a seven-year pact to keep him from going elsewhere. Considering the 30-year-old Hellebuyck tied for the second-most wins last season (37) with an exemplary .920 save percentage, that looks like a safe bet for now. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 23
Age: 25
Fox has finished in the top five in Norris Trophy voting the past five seasons, while being the sort of multidimensional defenseman who is a problem for opponents. He’s a critical component of the Rangers’ championship push. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 30
Age: 24
A second 40-goal campaign was just the start for Robertson, who also scored 100 points for the first time. Those individual accomplishments set the stage for him and the Stars to reach the conference finals, showing they can be the next big threat in the West. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 19
Age: 25
Tkachuk bested his own best self last season to produce a second consecutive 40-plus goal effort and a career-high 109 points. The Panthers’ firecracker used that skill to will his team to a playoff berth — and was a driving force in Florida’s unexpected ride to the Stanley Cup Final. And Tkachuk was a Hart Trophy finalist to boot. So, what will he do for an encore? Suffice it to say, Tkachuk is more than some simple pest. He’s a bona fide star. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 21
Age: 27
An elite scorer already, Pastrnak had 61 goals last season, bested only by McDavid’s 64. Pastrnak continuing his progression into one of the NHL’s most dangerous finishers would aid a Bruins team seeking more production following the departures of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, among others. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 25
Age: 27
Eichel came into his own with Vegas last season and it no doubt contributed to the Golden Knights’ Stanley Cup victory. After years of waiting for a taste of the postseason, Eichel averaged over a point per game on Vegas’ run and laid to rest any notion that following a hard disk surgery and rehab process he wouldn’t be a top-tier player again. If anything, Eichel could have more to give. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 5
Age: 30
Take away the 30 goals he scored last season and his 83 assists would have still put him among the top 25 in points. Last season just reinforced what makes Kucherov one of the game’s most dangerous players, and arguably the scariest winger in the NHL. It’s something the Lightning will continue to count on to open the season now that Andrei Vasilevskiy is recovering from back surgery. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 24
Age: 27
The discussion around Denver the past few years regarding Rantanen was that his shot was just as treacherous as his ability to create. It was just a matter of when he would be able to showcase both. He did in 2022-23, and the result was a 55-goal, 50-assist season, a feat he’ll push for again as the Avs have their eyes on another title. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 6
Age: 28
Draisaitl’s perennial stance among NHL leaders in goals and point production continue to prove that he’s more than just McDavid’s wing man. He has carved out a starring role in his own right, including his 52 goals and 128 points last season. And Draisaitl is an inspiring leader apart from just scoring ability — he excelled for Edmonton in last year’s postseason while skating on a fractured ankle. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 3
Age: 26
Matthews opened his season with a hat trick performance that put him past the 300-goal mark in only 482 career games. The Leafs’ top center has one of the league’s best shots, is strong at both ends of the ice and keeps evolving in his craft, for example by taking on a penalty-killing role. — Shilton
2022-23 rank: 44
Age: 22
Perhaps no player to make the top-100 list from last season did more to boost his standing in the NHL than Hughes. His fourth season saw him nearly double his point total from the prior campaign, and he was a major reason the Devils reached the postseason. The conversation around the best centers in the NHL has been dominated recently by players such as Matthews, Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon. Could it be time for that discussion to have another entrant? — Clark
2022-23 rank: 4
Age: 28
A perennial threat to score 100 points, MacKinnon finally reached the century club last season when he finished with a career-high 111 in 71 games. MacKinnon’s combination of creativity, power and speed is what has made him one of the NHL’s most dangerous players who is also one of the main reasons why the Avalanche are seeking to add a second Stanley Cup in three seasons. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 2
Age: 24
Makar can use his intelligence, speed and stick to either escape situations or to find ways to make opponents uncomfortable on either end of the ice. While his offensive exploits are what attracts the most attention, there’s more to Makar than just points. Last season, Makar became a more complete defenseman, playing on both special teams and leading the NHL in average ice time. — Clark
2022-23 rank: 1
Age: 26
He is imminent danger personified. Anytime McDavid has the puck — or even when he doesn’t — he’s always a threat to do something. He can create for others or for himself in a number of different situations. This is why he remains the No. 1 player in the game, less than 150 points away from 1,000 in his career and turning 27 this year. — Clark
Honorable mentions
Chris Kreider, LW, New York Rangers
Alex Tuch, RW, Buffalo Sabres
Trevor Zegras, C, Anaheim Ducks
Troy Terry, C, Anaheim Ducks
Noah Dobson, D, New York Islanders
Bo Horvat, C, New York Islanders
Carter Verhaeghe, C, Florida Panthers
Adam Fantilli, C, Columbus Blue Jackets
Logan Cooley, C, Arizona Coyotes
Adrian Kempe, C, Los Angeles Kings
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Buster Olney
The Boston Red Sox might be the best embodiment of the emotional swings that teams go through in this era of major league baseball.
Ten days ago, they had dropped nine of their past 12 games, and industry executives were eyeing the strongest parts on Boston’s roster in case the team was forced to start dealing players before the July 31 trade deadline. But instead, right-hander Hunter Dobbins notched two wins against the New York Yankees, Roman Anthony arrived in the big leagues (finally) and the Red Sox are back to .500, fostering a run at the postseason, real or imagined.
Then, a Father’s Day trade, out of the blue: Craig Breslow, the head of baseball operations for the Red Sox, shipped Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants. He addressed all the necessary business at once — dumping the contract of the unhappy Devers, adding pitching depth, and creating opportunity for the team’s young position players by opening the team’s DH spot.
He and the Giants’ Buster Posey completed what seems destined to be the biggest trade of the summer. In doing so, they shifted more onus onto some of their peers. Here are seven more who have the most at stake as trade season heats up.
Mike Hazen, general manager, Arizona Diamondbacks
Hazen will have a lot of say about what happens at this year’s trade deadline because if Arizona decides to trade talent, he’ll dangle a highly marketable set of players. Josh Naylor (Could the Mariners be interested? Or the Giants?), Eugenio Suarez (Yankees would be in on him), Merrill Kelly and Zac Gallen would become some of the best options, and other GMs like to trade with Hazen because they find him communicative and decisive.
But Hazen has also seen success when his team has been on the fringe of contention. Two years ago, the D-backs won 84 regular-season games and, after upsetting the Phillies in the playoffs, came within two victories of winning the World Series. Arizona just lost Corbin Burnes and reliever Justin Martinez to major injuries, but with an extraordinary core of talent, could Hazen add help, rather than trade away players? Knowing that Burnes will miss most or all of next year, could Hazen start constructing the team’s 2026 rotation? A lot is riding on his choices this trade season.
Arizona’s chances for making the playoffs, according to FanGraphs, are 34.9%.
David Dombrowski, president of baseball operations, Philadelphia Phillies
Over the past couple of years, Dombrowski installed two younger starting pitchers into his rotation, 28-year-old left-hander Cristopher Sanchez and 27-year-old Jesus Luzardo, acquired in a trade with the Marlins. Meanwhile, Andrew Painter, the highly regarded 22-year-old right-hander the Phillies held out of the Garrett Crochet trade talks last summer, has reached Triple-A.
However, the Phillies’ group of position players is older, with Bryce Harper in Year 7 of the 13-year deal he signed and Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto in the last years of their respective contracts. The team’s window is now. Jose Alvarado could return from his PED suspension before the end of the regular season, but he will be ineligible for the postseason. The Phillies need bullpen help, just as they did last season, and Dombrowski will need to augment that group before the deadline.
“He’s been through this plenty of times before,” one of his peers said. “He’ll make deals. He always does.”
Jerry Dipoto, president of baseball operations, Seattle Mariners
Seattle has been wildly inconsistent while sorting through some rotation injuries. George Kirby has gradually improved over the five starts since being activated from the injured list, and Logan Gilbert was just activated off the IL and will start Monday against the Red Sox. If not for Aaron Judge, Cal Raleigh would be the front-runner for the American League MVP Award.
But despite Raleigh’s power, the Mariners are struggling for offense at first base (their group has a wRC+ of 90, 22nd among the 30 teams) and DH (24th in wRC+, at 89). There is a clear need for a thumper, whether it’s Ryan O’Hearn or Josh Naylor — or someone of that ilk. As with the Orioles a year ago, the Mariners’ farm system is loaded, and Dipoto can present a buffet table of options to rival executives looking for a match.
Chris Young, president of baseball operations, Texas Rangers
Last July, with the Rangers coming off their first championship in 2023, Young waited and waited for a turnaround that never came before the trade deadline, refusing to deal. This year’s problems are a little different, but still similar. Jacob deGrom is dominating, but the offense has been shockingly sparse, with Texas ranked 26th in runs scored. There are reasons for hope: Evan Carter, impacted by injuries over the past 18 months, is hitting .387 in June (although he has been experiencing a wrist issue in recent days), and Wyatt Langford is getting better. It’s also hard to imagine Marcus Semien hitting .224 all year.
Young bet on a turnaround last summer. Will he do so again this year?
Mike Elias, general manager, Baltimore Orioles
The hole the Orioles have dug this season might be too deep to escape — they’re 6½ games out of the last AL wild-card spot. The Orioles were just 2½ games out of the wild-card race in 2022 when Elias chose to trade talent away rather than acquire it. But the context is different now, with Baltimore’s group of prospects older. By year’s end, Adley Rutschman will have four years of service time.
One way or another, Elias has to start building a rotation for next season. Maybe dealing Ryan O’Hearn and/or Cedric Mullins and others will help.
J.J. Picollo, general manager, Kansas City Royals
With the recent spate of losses, Kansas City is under .500 — and their playoff chances are 13.3%, per FanGraphs. Picollo’s track record is well-established: He has done what he can to win, signing free agents such as Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha and Carlos Estevez, and more recently, promoting top prospect Jac Caglianone and bypassing the opportunity to manipulate his service time.
But Cole Ragans is out indefinitely because of a strained shoulder, and Lugo has an opt-out on his deal after this season — and at 35 years old, it makes sense for him to take advantage of his leverage. Maybe that’s a contract extension with the Royals, or maybe that’s testing free agency. If the Royals’ recent malaise takes root, Lugo would be coveted in the trade market.
Jed Hoyer, president of baseball operations, Chicago Cubs
Chicago is so good — its offense so dynamic and versatile, its defense so efficient — that one evaluator believes that the question for Hoyer is not whether the Cubs will make the playoffs (their playoff chances, per FanGraphs, is 88.5%), but what will make them more dangerous in the meaningful games they’re bound to play at the end of the season. Especially with Kyle Tucker, the heart of the offense this year, headed for free agency in the fall.
Pitching is needed, with Justin Steele out for the season. The talented-but-young Ben Brown has an ERA of 5.71, and Colin Rea has been inconsistent. The Diamondbacks’ Kelly or Gallen might be a perfect fit, while the Orioles’ Zach Eflin would be an upgrade.
The Cubs’ payroll is well under the luxury tax threshold — 12th highest in the majors — but Chicago’s offer to Alex Bregman wasn’t competitive, even though he would’ve been a perfect fit. Rival evaluators wonder if Cubs ownership will green-light the sort of pricey acquisition that could help this team compete for its second title in the past decade.
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Kristen Shilton
There is an art to becoming a full-time NHL starting goaltender.
There is art, too, in being a successful NHL backup.
It requires embracing the unknown. It’s preparing to play without actually playing. There are long stretches of no puck touches — but the expectation of delivering your best at a moment’s notice.
That kind of pressure isn’t for everyone. But Edmonton Oilers‘ goaltender Calvin Pickard isn’t just anyone. He has forged a career excelling in secondary roles, the classic blue-collar contributor exemplifying work ethic and a straightforward mentality. One day at a time. One game after another.
It’s not easy. Pickard just makes it seem that way.
“I guess you’d say he’s one of the rare goalies,” Oilers forward Evander Kane said. “He’s just a normal guy. He’s really popular in [our] room.”
And how. Pickard has helped save Edmonton from back-breaking deficits in this NHL postseason not once, but twice. And Pickard could be on track to keep the Oilers alive again as they face elimination in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday (8 p.m. ET, TNT/Max).
That’s as pressure-packed as it gets, yet Pickard’s most recent efforts showcased a goalie at his peak.
Pickard entered the Final as Edmonton’s No. 2 behind Stuart Skinner. He looked on as the Oilers split the series’ first two games, and then entered troubled waters. Skinner started again in Game 3, and Florida pounded Edmonton 6-1. Coach Kris Knoblauch replaced Skinner with Pickard late in that debacle, where all Pickard could offer was cleanup duty.
Edmonton moved on to Game 4 with a 2-1 series deficit, carrying an undeniable whiff of fragility that was about to be painfully exposed.
Knoblauch passed over Pickard for Skinner as his starter. The result was disastrous. Skinner gave up three goals on 14 shots in the first period, for an .824 save percentage. Edmonton limped off the ice down 3-0 and Knoblauch had to do something.
Enter Pickard.
The 33-year-old took over Edmonton’s crease and backstopped them to a shocking comeback as the Oilers scored three second-period goals for a 3-3 tie heading into the third. Pickard was excellent holding off the Panthers’ attack with tough, critical stops that gave the Oilers a chance to offer some goal support at the other end. And Edmonton’s eventual 5-4 victory in overtime would not have been possible without Pickard’s 22 saves.
2:24
How ‘clutch’ Calvin Pickard helped spur Oilers to Game 4 win
Steve Levy and Kevin Weekes break down the Oilers’ comeback win in overtime in Game 4 to even the series with the Panthers.
It was simple enough then that when the series returned to Edmonton tied 2-2 going into Game 5 on Saturday that Pickard would have at least 24 hours notice of his next playing time. That it was happening in the Cup Final could rattle other goalies who hadn’t actually started a full game in five weeks.
But then again, Pickard isn’t a typical backup. He’s built differently.
“I guess you could look at [Game 5] as the biggest game in my life, but the last game was the biggest game in my life until the next one,” Pickard said. “It’s rinse and repeat for me. It’s been a great journey; I’ve been to a lot of good places. Grateful that I had the chance to come to Edmonton a couple years ago, and this is what you play for. I’m excited.”
The game itself didn’t go to plan for Edmonton. The Oilers fell behind early — again — and this time no number of eye-popping stops by Pickard (including a massive one on Carter Verhaeghe in the first period) could save Edmonton from itself in a 5-2 loss.
Pickard’s stat line was weak — giving up four goals on 18 shots for a .778 save percentage — but Knoblauch wasn’t convinced he was the problem. Nor would Knoblauch commit to him for Game 6.
“I’m not going to make that decision right now after a tough loss tonight,” the coach said after Game 5. “But from what I saw, I think Picks didn’t have much chance on all those goals. Breakaways, shots through screens, slot shots. There was nothing saying that it was a poor performance.”
It was Pickard’s first loss in the postseason, a testament to his body of work. It wasn’t so long ago he was in control of the Oilers’ crease. A stronger team effort in front of Pickard could have him shining there again Tuesday; Edmonton has been outscored 15-8 in its past three games, a frustrating reality given the Oilers’ depth of offensive talent and defensive capabilities.
“The quality of opportunities were really good [in Game 5], so there’s no fault at Calvin at all on any of those goals,” Knoblauch said. “When the pressure’s not on [the goalies] that they have to make every single save to keep this close or keep us ahead [it’s better]. It’d be nice to get some goal support. [Game 5] was a case where we were having difficulty generating offense. It’d be nice to have that lead and play knowing that they have to open things up when they’re trailing.”
THE OILERS WERE in a bad spot midway through the first round.
They’d entered the playoffs among the field’s Cup favorites after making the Final a year ago, falling there in Game 7 to the same franchise they’re battling now. The Oilers rebounded in a strong regular season, finishing third in the Pacific Division with 101 points.
It was worrisome then that they started the postseason with a thud, falling behind 2-0 in their first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings. Skinner was Edmonton’s starter at the time, and had given up 11 goals in those two defeats. Pickard had watched (almost) all of it happen from the bench, save for a brief appearance late in Game 2.
Knoblauch tapped Pickard to start in Game 3. Cue another comeback.
Pickard helped the Oilers reel off four straight wins to vanquish the Kings and send Edmonton to the second round. He peeled off another pair of wins against the Vegas Golden Knights to spot Edmonton a 2-0 series lead — only to sustain a lower-body injury in Game 2 that would cut his magical postseason run off at 6-0-0 with an .892 save percentage and 2.76 goals-against average.
Edmonton again turned to Skinner, who responded with a sensational run of his own leading the Oilers through their Western Conference finals series against the Dallas Stars. The now-healthy Pickard was more of a spectator again. Biding his time had become second nature.
“The last couple of years, [Skinner] has played much more than I have,” Pickard said. “So, practice time is huge for me. [Our staff] has me dialed in when I’m not playing and doing different drills to replicate situations in games, and for when that chance comes.”
Pickard has learned how to leverage his reps, perceiving each one as meaningful even when the outcome is a foregone conclusion.
“Getting the time in Game 3 [of the Final] at the end, even when it was out of hand there [with the score], it’s still good ice time for me to get out there and see game action,” Pickard said. “That propelled me to be ready for Game 4. [Any of that] practice time’s huge.”
It’s also fitting for a goalie like Pickard — who can revel entering a rout — to be on the path to a potentially distinctive feat. According to ESPN Research, the last time multiple goalies on a Cup-winning team recorded decisions in a Final for non-injury related reasons was when the Boston Bruins alternated between Gerry Cheevers and Eddie Johnston in 1972. Cheevers started Game 1, Game 3 and the clinching Game 6 in that series.
Skinner and Pickard are also only the second tandem in NHL history to have each recorded at least seven victories in a single postseason, joining Marc-Andre Fleury (nine wins) and Matt Murray (seven) during the Pittsburgh Penguins‘ Cup run in 2017.
But Pickard’s road here wasn’t quite like his predecessors — or his current goalie teammate.
Pickard was drafted by Colorado in the second round at No. 49 in the 2010 NHL draft. His first and only season as a starter for the Avalanche was in 2016-17, when he filled in for injured Semyon Varlamov.
Colorado exposed him that summer in the expansion draft and Pickard was selected by Vegas, with the idea he’d be Fleury’s backup. But the Golden Knights also selected Malcom Subban off waivers and put him behind Fleury instead. Pickard was then put on waivers and picked up by the Toronto Maple Leafs, who sent him to the minors.
From there, the New Brunswick, Canada, native kept moving around, waived by Toronto and then Philadelphia before a brief stint in Arizona. In July 2019, Pickard signed as a free agent with the Detroit Red Wings — his fifth team in two years — and still couldn’t take hold in the NHL. He toggled between the Red Wings and the American Hockey League for three seasons.
In July 2022, Pickard arrived in Edmonton … sort of. He signed a two-year, two-way deal with the club and spent his first season in the AHL. Pickard finally saw sustained NHL play the next season as the Oilers grappled with struggling starter Jack Campbell, giving Pickard his most games in the league (23) since 2016-17. That was enough to keep him on as Skinner’s backup this season.
The rest, as they say, is history. Pickard’s patience through the process has impressed those teammates now relying on him to pull them through to a Cup title.
“He’s been doing this for a long time, he has a ton of experience and been to a lot of different dressing rooms,” Kane said. “That can help you along when you do come on to different teams, making a little bit of an easier transition. Now you’re just seeing that off-ice translate on to the ice with his performance, and how much he’s helped us to where we are here today … in the Stanley Cup Final.”
If people weren’t paying attention to Pickard when he stepped in for Skinner against the Kings, there’s no doubt all eyes are on him now. It’s attention that Pickard has earned.
“[Pickard is] someone who’s just kind of stuck with it all along and he’s been a true pro and a great person all the way through,” Edmonton captain Connor McDavid said. “I think good people get rewarded and he works as hard as I’ve seen. Couldn’t be more deserving.”
KNOBLAUCH ISN’T ONE to be rushed.
He has been cagey about naming a starter throughout the Final. That will hold true again for Game 6.
“[It’s] a conversation with the staff, obviously our goaltending coach, Dustin Schwartz, but with all the assistants, the general manager,” Knoblauch said. “[We’ll] kind of weigh in how everyone feels and what’s best moving forward. It’s not an easy decision. We’ve got two goalies that have shown that they can play extremely well, win hockey games and we feel that no matter who we choose, they can win the game.”
Pickard’s numbers in the series (.878 SV%, 2.88 GAA) are stronger than Skinner’s (.860 SV%, 4.20 GAA) and they are on par for the entire postseason (Pickard holds an .886 SV% and 2.85 GAA to Skinner’s .891 SV% and 2.99 GAA). Their records, though, are quite different: 7-1 for Pickard, 7-6 for Skinner.
So, who gives the Oilers their best chance to win Game 6 and drag Florida back to Edmonton for a second straight Game 7 finale between these teams in the Cup Final?
If Pickard does get the call, it will be a culmination of 10 years of consistent effort to be trusted when there’s no tomorrow. There’s only the present moment — where the right backup goalie has always been trained to stay ready.
1:26
Weekes perplexed by Oilers: ‘They look like a shell of themselves’
Kevin Weekes calls out the energy level by the Oilers in their Game 5 loss to the Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final.
The San Francisco Giants acquired three-time All-Star Rafael Devers from the Boston Red Sox on Sunday in a stunning trade that sent a player Boston once considered a franchise cornerstone to a San Francisco team needing an offensive infusion.
Boston received left-handed starter Kyle Harrison, right-hander Jordan Hicks, outfield prospect James Tibbs III and Rookie League right-hander Jose Bello.
The Red Sox announced the deal Sunday evening.
The Giants will cover the remainder of Devers’ contract, which runs through 2033 and will pay him more than $250 million, sources told ESPN.
The trade ends the fractured relationship between Devers and the Red Sox that had degraded since spring training, when Devers balked at moving off third base — the position where he had spent his whole career — after the signing of free agent Alex Bregman. The Red Sox gave no forewarning to Devers, who expressed frustration before relenting and agreeing to be their designated hitter.
After a season-ending injury to first baseman Triston Casas in early May, the Red Sox asked Devers to move to first base. Devers declined, suggesting the front office “should do their jobs” and find another player after the organization told him during spring training he would be the DH for the remainder of the season. The day after Devers’ comments, Red Sox owner John Henry, president Sam Kennedy and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow flew to Kansas City, where Boston was playing, to talk with Devers.
In the weeks since, Devers’ refusal to play first led to internal tension and helped facilitate the deal, sources said.
San Francisco pounced — and added a force to an offense that ranks 15th in runs scored in Major League Baseball. Devers, 28, is hitting .272/.401/.504 with 15 home runs and 58 RBIs, tied for the third most in MLB. Over his nine-year career, Devers is hitting .279/.349/.509 with 215 home runs and 696 RBIs in 1,053 games.
Boston believed enough in Devers to give him a 10-year, $313.5 million contract extension in January 2023. He rewarded the Red Sox with a Silver Slugger Award that season and made his third All-Star team in 2024.
Whether he slots in at designated hitter or first base with San Francisco — the Giants signed Gold Glove third baseman Matt Chapman to a six-year, $151 million deal last year — is unknown. But San Francisco sought Devers more for his bat, one that immediately makes the Giants — who are fighting for National League West supremacy with the Los Angeles Dodgers — a better team.
To do so, the Giants gave a package of young talent and took on the contract that multiple teams’ models had as underwater.
Harrison, 23, is the prize of the deal, particularly for a Red Sox team replete with young hitting talent but starving for young pitching. Once considered one of the best pitching prospects in baseball, Harrison has shuttled between San Francisco and Triple-A Sacramento this season.
Harrison, who was scratched from a planned start against the Dodgers on Sunday night, has a 4.48 ERA over 182⅔ innings since debuting with the Giants in 2023. He has struck out 178, walked 62 and allowed 30 home runs. The Red Sox optioned Harrison to Triple-A Worcester after the trade was announced.
Hicks, 28, who has toggled between starter and reliever since signing with the Giants for four years and $44 million before the 2024 season, is on the injured list because of right toe inflammation. One of the hardest-throwing pitchers in baseball, Hicks has a 6.47 ERA over 48⅔ innings this season. He could join the Red Sox’s ailing bullpen, which Breslow has sought to upgrade.
Tibbs, 22, was selected by the Giants with the 13th pick in last year’s draft out of Florida State. A 6-foot, 200-pound corner outfielder, Tibbs has spent the season at High-A, where he has hit .245/.377/.480 with 12 home runs and 32 RBIs in 56 games. Scouts laud his command of the strike zone — he has 41 walks and 45 strikeouts in 252 plate appearances — but question whether his swing will translate at higher levels.
Bello, 20, has spent the season as a reliever for the Giants’ Rookie League affiliate. In 18 innings, he has struck out 28 and walked three while posting a 2.00 ERA.
The deal is the latest in which Boston shipped a player central to the franchise.
Boston traded Mookie Betts to the Dodgers in February 2020, just more than a year after leading Boston to a franchise-record 108 wins and a World Series title and winning the American League MVP Award.
Devers was part of that World Series-winning team in 2018 and led the Red Sox in RBIs each season from 2020 to 2024, garnering AL MVP votes across each of the past four years. Devers had been with the Red Sox since 2013, when he signed as an international amateur free agent out of the Dominican Republic. He debuted four years later at age 20.
Boston is banking on its young talent to replace Devers’ production. The Red Sox regularly play four rookies — infielders Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer, outfielder Roman Anthony and catcher Carlos Narvaez — and infielder Franklin Arias and outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia are expected to contribute in the coming years.
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