What Happened
Sportsnet Insiders published their ranking of the NHL's top 50 players ahead of the 2026-27 season. Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Nikita Kucherov and Leon Draisaitl were near the top, while San Jose Sharks captain Macklin Celebrini climbed from No. 43 in 2025 to No. 4, the largest rise on the list. Winnipeg's Kyle Connor had the biggest drop, going from No. 15 to No. 44. Eleven players entered the top 50 after being unranked in 2025, and 11 others fell out.
Key Details
- Macklin Celebrini rose from No. 43 in 2025 to No. 4 in 2026, the largest jump.
- Kyle Connor fell from No. 15 in 2025 to No. 44 in 2026, the largest drop.
- Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Nikita Kucherov and Leon Draisaitl were near the top.
- Eleven players joined the 2026 list after being unranked in 2025.
- Eleven players from the 2025 list dropped out of the top 50 in 2026.
- Sam Reinhart (No. 18 in 2025) and Victor Hedman (No. 22 in 2025) fell out.
What It Means
The rankings reflect how Sportsnet's insiders view the league's top talent entering the 2026-27 season. Celebrini's rise to the top five signals growing recognition for the Sharks captain, while Kyle Connor's slide and the exits of veterans like Sam Reinhart and Victor Hedman suggest shifting evaluations of established players.