{ "blocks": [ { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "This year's edition of the The Hockey News' top 50 players has released in the Yearbook & Fantasy Guide edition, with Connor McDavid remaining at the helm." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The list -- penned by Ryan Kennedy -- features four ex-QMJHL stars, including two in the top-10." } }, { "id": "68ebzoej-fogkxeh3", "type": "embed", "data": { "service": "twitter", "source": "https://twitter.com/TheHockeyNews/status/1832799709318041801", "embed": "https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?id=1832799709318041801", "caption": "" } }, { "type": "header", "data": { "text": "2. Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado)", "level": 4 } }, { "type": "image", "data": { "file": { "url": "https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA5MTUxNjY4NjE1MzkxMDc2/usatsi_23058853.jpg" }, "caption": "Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "It's no surprise to see former Mooseheads star, Nathan MacKinnon, so high on the list after his impressive dual-MVP winning season -- as he won the Hart and the Ted Lindsay." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The 2013 first overall pick posted 51 goals, 89 assists for 140 points, all career bests." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Now 29, he will look to repeat or even best his career year as he will look to chase his second Cup ring on a competitive Colorado Avalanche squad." } }, { "type": "header", "data": { "text": "6. Nikita Kucherov (Tampa)", "level": 4 } }, { "type": "image", "data": { "file": { "url": "https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA5MTUxODQ2MDUxMjI3MjQ4/usatsi_22436808.jpg" }, "caption": "Nikita Kucherov, representing the Tampa Bay Lightning at the 2024 NHL All Star Game" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "After a season where he led the NHL in points and was a finalist for MVP, some may argue that Nikita Kucherov's placement on the list is low." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The former star left winger for the Remparts and the Huskies notched a career high 144 point season, a career high 44 goals and shattered a record with McDavid for the first 100 assist season since Wayne Gretzky in the 1990's." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "After the departures of key pieces Steven Stamkos and Mikhail Sergachev, he will look to lead the new-look Tampa Bay Lightning as they try to remain as a top playoff competitor." } }, { "type": "header", "data": { "text": "14. Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh)", "level": 4 } }, { "type": "image", "data": { "file": { "url": "https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA5MTUxOTMzODI5NjIxNjA0/usatsi_23050547.jpg" }, "caption": "Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Now 37-years old, 'Sid the Kid' isn't really a kid anymore." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "However, no one seems to have told Crosby that he's supposed to slow down with age." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The former Océanic star's 94-point campaign last season was the his most prolific of the last five seasons, and his 42 goals were the most since he last won a Stanley Cup in 2017." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "It's hard not to bet against a player in their late thirties, but Crosby has proven time and time again since he first started getting noticed as a kid that he's a completely different beast." } }, { "type": "header", "data": { "text": "30. Noah Dobson (New York I.)", "level": 4 } }, { "type": "image", "data": { "file": { "url": "https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA5MTUyMDQ3OTE0NjkwMTYw/usatsi_22203587.jpg" }, "caption": "Noah Dobson of the New York Islanders" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Noah Dobson has been a staple defenseman for the New York Islanders the last couple of seasons, and has always been seen as a great, but not quite an elite defenseman." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Well, last year was the Acadie-Bathurst legends' coming out party, as he potted 70 points (10+60) in 79 games. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "That is good for seventh in the NHL among blueliners and second on his team behind Mat Barzal, who also made the list." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The Isles dynamic duo will help the Isles try and maintain a playoff spot." } }, { "type": "image", "data": { "file": { "url": "https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxNTQ5NzYwMTExMzIyNDk3/hockeynewsad.jpg" }, "caption": "A free issue of The Hockey News publication" } }, { "type": "header", "data": { "text": "Around the CHL", "level": 4 } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "2024-25 WHL Season Preview: Seattle Thunderbirds" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "OHL preseason roster breakdown: Oshawa Generals" } }, { "type": "header", "data": { "text": "Around THN.com", "level": 4 } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "McDavid Explains Sluggish 2023-24 Start and How He'll Avoid a Repeat in 2024-25" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "How An Unspeakable Tragedy Has United Two Fan Bases" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Polish Oświęcim (Auschwitz) fans display shocking \"welcome\" banner to visiting Berlin team" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Why Did the Ottawa Senators Choose to Sign Former Toronto Maple Leafs Veteran Nikolai Kulemin to a PTO?" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "It's \"Here We Go Again\" Time for the Sabres Amidst 13-Year Playoff Drought" } } ] }

MacKinnon, Kucherov Among Ex-QMJHL Talent In THN's Top 50 Players List