Fresh off his second Hart Trophy and a 130-point season, Nikita Kucherov claims the top spot as three Lightning forwards land among the league's best.
On Sunday, NHL Network released its rankings of the league’s top 20 wingers, with Tampa Bay Lightning star Nikita Kucherov claiming the No. 1 spot. He was joined by fellow teammates Brandon Hagel (13) and Jake Guentzel (16).
It comes as no surprise after another historic season from the Hart Trophy winner. Kucherov finished the 2025-26 season with 44 goals and 86 assists for 130 points, marking the second-highest point total of his career behind his 144-point season in 2023-24. His 44 goals also matched a career high.
The 33-year-old led the NHL with 1.71 points per game and finished with a plus-43 rating, earning his second Hart Trophy as the league’s Most Valuable Player after previously winning the award in 2019.
Kucherov also reached several milestones throughout the season. He recorded his 1,000th NHL point with a two-assist performance against the Anaheim Ducks on Oct. 25, 2025, then became the second-fastest player born outside North America to reach 700 career assists when he set up Gage Goncalves’ goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Feb. 25, accomplishing the feat in 855 games. Only Peter Šťastný reached the mark faster (784 games).
Over the last three seasons, Kucherov has been the NHL’s most productive offensive player, leading the league with 395 points, 270 assists, and 136 power-play points.
