The Best NHL Players Right Now

The Christmas break has come and gone for the NHL, and we are currently five games away from the halfway point of the season. The NHL is also about a month and halfway from their Four Nations Tournament pause. We have the usual suspects holding down the top five, but some surprises in the last few. Here are the Top 10 NHL players right now.

Honorable Mention

Connor Hellebuyck

Team: Winnipeg Jets 

Connor Hellebuyck is the backbone of the Winnipeg Jets success thus far this season. Despite not being able to handle the Avalanche in the playoffs last season, he has more than bounced back.

So far, he has a record of 23-5-1, with a GAA of 2.06, leading the league and a save percentage of .928. He also recorded four shutouts this season.

Top 10 Best NHL Players 2025 Rankings

10. Jesper Bratt

Team: New Jersey Devils 

Jesper Bratt is a first-time addition to this list being drafted 162nd overall on the 2016 draft Brad has had a slow burn to the top.

Despite being consistent, almost every one of his seven seasons with the New Jersey Devils, this is his first time in the top ten scorers in the NHL. He currently has 14 goals and 33 assists, and 39 games played.

9. Jake Eichel

Team: Vegas Golden Knights 

It feels like Jack Eichel has been around for a long time, but he’s only been with the Vegas Golden Knights going on four seasons now. Since the trade from Buffalo, he has really come into his own.

This season, he has 10 goals and 37 assists for 47 points in just 35 games played. Only time will tell if the Golden Knights can get back to the Stanley Cup final, but in the meantime, it’s nice to see Jack putting them up.

8. Kyle Connor

Team: Winnipeg Jets

The Winnipeg Jets are on fire this year and Kyle Connor is a huge part of that. The Jets are currently at top of the NHL and Kyle Connor is eighth in scoring with 22 goals, 27 assists and 49 points in 37 games played this season.

The window is closing on Winnipeg and hopefully Connor’s effort can take them on a deep flight into the playoffs.

7. Mitch Marner

Team: Toronto Maple Leafs

Mitch Marner is still trying to bounce back from a miserable performance in last year’s playoffs that all the Leafs lost once again in the first round. With this massive chip on his shoulder, he has really found the back of the net this season.

Thus far in 37 games played, Marner has scored 13 goals and 37 assists for 50 points. Hopefully he can carry this pace through April and beyond.

6. Kirill Kaprizov

Team: Minnesota Wild

Kirill Kaprizov was the steal of the 2015 NHL Draft when the Wild used the fifth-round pick on him. Since coming over from Russia, he has revolutionized play from the wing.

Despite rumors of possibly wanting to move to Chicago at the conclusion of his contract, He is playing on another planet for the Wild right now. So far in 34 games he has 23 goals and 27 assists for 50 points.

5. Connor McDavid

Team: Edmonton Oilers 

What is there to say about Connor McDavid that hasn’t already been said. Despite losing the Stanley Cup last year, he was named playoff MVP. Well, McDavid isn’t at his earth-shattering pace that he’s normally on, he is still fifth in the NHL in scoring. So far this season, he has 15 goals and 35 assists for 50 points.

4. Nikita Kucherov

Team: Tampa Bay Lightning 

Even if the Tampa Bay Lightning take a step back or two, Nikita Kucherov absolutely will not. Now in his 11th season with the Tampa Bay Lightning, The 31-year-old is still leading the team in points.

So far this season Nikita Kucherov has scored 16 goals, 37 assists, for 53 points and a three-way tie for second place.

3. Leon Draisaitl

Team: Edmonton Oilers

It is a shame there are not more German hockey players in the NHL. With Leon Draisaitl pushing 30, it would’ve been really amazing to see him lead Germany in an NHL international competition.

One word to describe him is consistent, and so far, this season, he has scored 24 goals and 29 assists for 53 points.

2. Mikko Rantanen

Team: Colorado Avalanche 

It’s absolutely no surprise to see Mikko Rantanen in at number two on this list. Rantanen is entering a contract year this year And has scored over 100 points in his last two.

So far this season, Moose has scored 20 goals and 33 assists for 53 points. The Avalanche have struggled with depth, but the top players have stayed hot.

1. Nathan MacKinnon

Team: Colorado Avalanche 

After over a decade in the NHL, Nathan MacKinnon finally got his Hart Trophy as league MVP. McKinnon continues to carry the Colorado Avalanche into the season.

Thus far this season, he has scored 14 goals and 46 assists for 60 points, leading the league. He is on pace to break his career high in points.

How would you rank the best NHL Players so far in the 2024-2025 season? Rank below to be added in the NHL Power Rankings.

Sunday Umoh

Sunday Umoh is the visionary founder and CEO of Fan Rankings LLC, a platform that merges sports passion with technology to create an engaging and interactive space for fans worldwide. With a background in Information Science and Systems and experience as a Software Engineer, Umoh has built a brand that blends analytical insights with emotional connection, offering unique coverage of Football, Basketball, MMA, and Boxing. A graduate of Morgan State University and a former collegiate Track and Field athlete, Umoh previously gained attention for his impactful Washington Wizards blog, fireerniegrunfeld.com. His journey exemplifies how technology can amplify sports fandom, with Fan Rankings setting a new standard in sports media, providing a community for fans to connect, debate, and celebrate their favorite teams and athletes.

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