This is the second in what will be a series focusing on the top 10 at each position. We led off with centers in the first column and following this article will be 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. Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning:
Kucherov entered the 2025-26 as the top right wing in the game and his play warrants him retaining that top spot. He closed out the pre-Olympics schedule on a 10-game point-streak (six goals, 18 assists). Kucherov sits just nine points from the century mark, doing so it in just 51 games (91 points), which would mark his fourth straight season reaching that threshold. In addition, Kucherov already topped the 1,000-point mark this season and is 14 goals from the 400-goal threshold.
2. David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins:
Pastrnak posted 43 goals and 63 assists for a Boston team that plummeted last season, a season after he tallied 47 and 63, respectively. Coming into the 2025-26 campaign, questions existed on how good Boston might be. The Bruins have surprised this season with Pastrnak’s play a large driver to their success. He headed into the Olympic break with 71 points in 52 contests, putting Pastrnak on pace for his fourth straight 100-point campaign. He sits just nine helpers shy of 500 for his career in a season where he tallied the 400th goal of his Hall of Fame career.
3. Mikko Rantanen, Dallas Stars:
On the face of it, Rantanen doesn’t appear to be having a great season. Yet a look at his numbers and that view somewhat goes away. Rantanen has 20 goals – the sixth straight season he has topped that mark – and 49 assists, putting him on pace for his third straight 100+ point campaign. If a criticism exists, it’s that his goal output may fall for third straight season, though he is making up for that by being more of a facilitator. Plus, he is highly productive on the man-advantage as he fully settles in during his first full campaign in Big D.
4. Matthew Tkachuk, Florida Panthers:
Tkachuk ranked seventh in the pre-season rankings, largely due to the time he was expected to miss. He missed the first three-and-a-half months of the season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn hip adductor and sports hernia he suffered during the postseason. Tkachuk returned to action January 19, posting three goals and five assists in 10 games. He is one of the key members of Team USA, a role he played in the 4 Nations Tournament. In addition, he one of the leaders of the Panthers and a large reason why they won back-to-back Cups. A fully healthy physical Tkachuk is scary for the league and a big plus for Florida.
5. Lucas Ramond, Detroit Red Wings:
Raymond posted 27 goals and 53 assists in 2024-25, with 37 of those points coming on the man-advantage. Signed to an eight-year, $64.6 million contract by the Red Wings in September of 2024, Raymond is having another fine campaign and a member of Team Sweden’s Olympic Team. Raymond is up to 19 tallies and 41 helpers in 56 contests with 22 points coming on the power play as he tries to help Detroit make it back to the post-season. He is on pace to set a new career-high in points and apples.
6. Matt Boldy, Minnesota Wild
Boldy topped the 70-point barrier for the first time in his career in 2024-25. He also posted a career-best 46 assists while raising his overall production for the third straight season. Boldy has already set a new career-high in goals with 32 this season and with 62 points, is on pace to blow past the 73 he notched last season. He closed Minnesota’s pre-Olympics schedule with five goals and 11 total points over his last six outings, carrying that success to Milano Cortina.
7. Mitch Marner, Vegas Golden Knights:
Marner, who landed with the Knights on an eight-year, $96 million deal, is having a nice season but not an elite one. He still is averaging a point-per-game, notching 16 goals and 42 assists in 57 games, though down from the scoring pace he had three of the four campaigns. Marner has added to his value, as he now also has center eligibility, sliding in as the team’s second line pivot. He ended the pre-Olympics schedule on a five-game, point streak and look for a big stretch run from Marner.
8. Sam Reinhart, Florida Panthers:
Reinhart is having another solid season for the Cats. His 94 points – 57 goals and 37 assists – two seasons ago looks more like a bit of an aberration, as expected. Reinhart has posted 27 goals and 28 apples in 57 contests, albeit with a minus-16 rating. He has notched 22 of his 55 points on the power play while also dishing out 56 hits. Reinhart was ultimately named to Team Canada, and besides Aleksander Barkov, will be playing with a healthy squad, which should aid his production.
9. William Nylander, Toronto Maple Leafs:
Injuries have limited Nylander to just 40 games this season. In that shortened amount of game action, Nylander has been highly productive, tallying 18 goals and 34 assists. Finally healthy, Nylander is playing for Team Sweden in the Olympics and will be counted on to help Toronto try and work their way back into a playoff spot. As long as he remains healthy, look for Nylander to post more than a point-per-game for the Buds.
10. Tom Wilson, Washington Capitals:
Wilson set career highs across the board – goals, assists, points, plus/minus rating, game-winning goals, power-play goals and ice time – last season. He has shown that his 2024-25 campaign was no fluke, building off that success. Wilson has 23 goals, 49 points, 108 shots on net, 132 hits, 78 PIM and a plus-20 rating over 50 appearances. His fine play the last two seasons resulted in Wilson earning a spot on Team Canada, where his physical play has already shown up.
Honorable mention: Martin Necas, Colorado Avalanche, Zach Hyman, Edmonton Oilers, Alex Tuch, Buffalo Sabres, Seth Jarvis, Carolina Hurricanes. Kirill Marchenko, Columbus Blue Jackets. Dylan Guenther, Utah Mammoth and Travis Konecny, Philadelphia Flyers.