This is the first in what will be a series focusing on the top 10 the rest of the way at each position. Following centers will be right wings, left wings, defensemen and goalies. Interspliced between each ranking column will be a fantasy article by Jason Chen that will focus on a different aspect than the positions. Unlike other lists that may focus on what the pivotman not only does on the ice, but between the dots and in his own zone, our primary driver here is how these individuals rank from a fantasy perspective the balance of the season. Where germane, we most certainly will highlight the non-scoring aspects that the player brings to the table that tell the whole story, but that is a secondary aspect to where he sits on the list.
1. Connor McDavid. Edmonton Oilers:
McDavid and MacKinnon, MacKinnon and McDavid. 1A and 1B. Pick your poison, you can’t go wrong with either. McDavid leads MacKinnon by three points (96 to 93) while MacKinnon has a substantial edge in even strength points (71 to 55). Why then am I going with McDavid? The edge in power play points (39-22) is likely to continue the remainder of the season. In addition, McDavid looks like he is about to take his game to another level, prompting my choice.
2. Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche:
MacKinnon has been a beast again this season. The 30-year-old center has crossed the 400-goal and 1,100-point marks this season and could set a new single-season, career-high in points. MacKinnon is also a plus-48 while winning 51 per cent of his draws, evidencing how dominant he is in every phase of the game. If you want to put MacKinnon above McDavid, be my guest, as you can’t go wrong with either player.
3. Macklin Celebrini, San Jose Sharks
Prior to the start of the season, we thought Celebrini would take a step forward. Little did we know that step would be a quantum one. Celebrini posted 63 points in 70 contests as a rookie; he was just getting started. The Face of the San Jose Franchise is up to 28 goals and 53 assists in 55 contests, but that only tells part of the story. Celebrini has made the Sharks must-watch, putting the team on his back fighting for a playoff berth while earning a spot on Team Canada.
4. Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers:
Draisaitl would be #1 center on nearly every other team. In Edmonton, he is the second line center but moves to wing opposite McDavid when the Oilers look to stack their lineup, giving him multi-position eligibility. Draisaitl, who topped the 400-goal and 1,000-point plateaus this season, is on pace for his fifth straight 100+ point campaign. He is up to 34 points on the man-advantage and should continue to rack up points in a potent Edmonton attack.
5. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins:
Crosby sits tied for 11th among centers with 59 points, though that tells just part of the story. He is just three points shy of eighth but that also undervalues his impact. Pittsburgh was expected to be a second division team. Crosby has helped Pittsburgh sit second in the Metro Division and is on pace to average at least a point-per-game for the 21st straight season. If there is a negative, it’s that he likely will finish short of 90 points for the first time in four seasons.
6. Nick Suzuki, Montreal Canadiens
Suzuki entered the 2025-26 season on a streak of increasing his point production for four straight campaigns. He carried the Habs on his back to the postseason last year, tallying 30 goals while setting a new career high with 89 points across 82 regular-season appearances. Suzuki was just getting started. He already has matched his career-high in power play points with 31 and is on pace to do the same in assists overall and possibly points. In addition, Suzuki went from a longshot for the Olympics to earning a roster spot while his fine play and leadership.
7. Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs:
Matthews, who had his lowest point total last season since 2020-21, scoring just 33 goals and 78 points in 67 games, looks like his numbers will fall again. He has 26 tallies and 22 helpers in 51 games, nice numbers but not difference makers. The changing of the calendar from 2025 to 2026 seems to have rejuvenated Matthews, who has 11 goals and 10 assists in 18 contests in the new year. That rise in output and expectation that he has a big Olympics lands Matthews at seventh overall in this list.
8. Jack Eichel, Vegas Golden Knights.
Eichel’s career-high coming into last season was 82 points in 2018-19 as a member of the Sabres. He blew away that total, notching 28 goals and 66 assists, dressing for 77 games, matching his high from 2018-19. Eichel, despite missing seven games in December, has an outside shot at besting those numbers again. He sits with 21 goals and 47 assists in 50 contests, recording 27 points across his last 18 games before the Olympics break. His status in the game is evidenced by Eichel skating on the US’ top line with the Tkachuk brothers.
9. Mark Scheifele, Winnipeg Jets
The Jets were cruising before Connor Hellebuyck was sidelined by injury. While he was sidelined, Winnipeg plummeted in the standings and are on the outside looking into a playoff berth. Scheifele has done his part to try and keep the team afloat. He closed the pre-Olympics schedule with seven multi-point performances in the last 14 games, piling up seven goals and 19 points over that stretch as Scheifele rockets toward a career-best campaign for the second straight season.
10. Tage Thompson, Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo sits in a playoff spot for the first time in over a decade. Thompson’s play is a big reason why this is the case. He has racked up 10 goals and 12 assists over 18 contests since the start of January, reaching the 30-goal mark in four of the last five NHL campaigns. Thompson is at 59 points (17 on the power play), 204 shots on net, 54 hits and a minus-8 rating through 57 appearances, earning an Olympics berth for Team USA.
Off Due to Injury: Brayden Point, Tampa Bay Lightning, Leo Carlsson, Anaheim Ducks
Others in consideration: Sebastian Aho, Carolina Hurricanes, Connor Bedard, Chicago Blackhawks, Tim Stutzle, Ottawa Senators., Bo Horvat, New York Islanders, Mika Zibanejad, New York Rangers. Dylan Larkin, Detroit Red Wings. Ryan O’Reilly, Nashville Predators.