I do not think it is outlandish to say that the 2023-24 season has been the most entertaining hockey season ever.
We have seen record after record being broken, surprise teams coming out of nowhere, elite players taking their games to heights even the biggest of fans could not have imagined, a generational rookie who had all the hype in the world on his shoulders yet still exceeded expectations, impact players getting moved at the trade deadline, and now with one game to go depending on how you look at it, we might see either the greatest comeback or biggest collapse in the history of sports.
Regardless of how Game 7 goes, whether it is the Oilers or Panthers hoisting the Stanley Cup, this season has been for the ages, and with one game to go, here is my ranking of the top 15 players in the NHL after my favourite hockey season of all time.
15. Roman Josi, Defenseman, Nashville Predators
One of the most potent offensive threats on the blue line who can score himself, or help set up teammates. Ironically, on a team that struggles to score, Josi's two-way game makes him one of the most valuable players in the NHL today.
14. Quinn Hughes, Defenseman, Vancouver Canucks
The likely Norris Trophy winner for the 2023-24 season, Hughes is one of the best skaters in the NHL whose agility and vision make him not only one of the best playmaking defensemen in the league but one of the best playmakers in the NHL in general. In a league that has never been more offensively gifted, Hughes has found a way to stand out in his own right.
13. Matthew Tkachuk, Left Wing, Florida Panthers
One of the league's most gritty players who has a knack for getting his opponents frustrated by making his presence felt every night. He has improved his offensive game drastically in his two years with the Panthers, which is a key reason why Florida has been one of the final two teams standing in each of Tkachuk's two seasons in Sunrise.
12. J.T. Miller, Center, Vancouver Canucks
One of the league's top two-way forwards, and as competitive as they come, Miller's career season saw him reach the 100-point mark for the first time in his career which was a major factor in the Canucks magical season that saw them win their first division title since the 2011-12 season.
11. Aleksander Barkov, Center, Florida Panthers
After capturing the 2nd Selke trophy award of his career as the league's best defensive forward, Barkov this season has established himself as the NHL's best two-way forward as he not only excels at shutting down the opposing team's top forwards, Barkov also puts up points on the offensive end with an 80 point season himself in 2023-24 despite missing nine games.
10. Mikko Ratanen, Right Wing, Colorado Avalanche
Colorado's big-bodied forward is still one of the league's most consistent forwards, with him being one of the game's best puck handlers who loves to use his size to his advantage against opponents.
9. Sidney Crosby, Center, Pittsburgh Penguins
The older Sidney Crosby gets, it seems the smarter he becomes. The soon-to-be 37-year-old, despite being closer to the end of his career than the beginning, is still one of the league's most naturally skilled players, which shows in his play and numbers with a 94-point season in 2023-24.
The key to his longevity is his relentless work ethic, which cannot be understated. Hopefully, in his twilight years, we get to see the best player of his era play in post-season games once again as he continues to produce at this elite level heading into year 20.
8. David Pastrnak, Right Wing, Boston Bruins
Pasta remains one of the NHL's most explosive players, factoring in his speed and creativity with the puck in his possession, truly one of the purest offensive threats in the game today.
7. Artemi Panarin, Right Wing, New York Rangers
Panarin helped lead the Rangers to the President's Trophy in the 2023-24 showing off his decisive puck skills while remaining one of the league's most clutch goal scorers throughout the season.
6. Cale Makar, Defenseman, Colorado Avalanche
Although he likely will not be awarded the Norris Trophy, Makar is still the unanimous best defenseman in hockey with his elite skill set of skating, puck control, and playmaking while remaining an impact defensive player with his +15 rating on the year.
The Avalanche have a stud for years to come.
5. Leon Draisaitl, Center, Edmonton Oilers
Draisaitl makes up the second half of the best duo in hockey as he is a force to be reckoned with, using his 6'2 frame to dominate to go with an elite offensive skill set as a passer and one of the league's best goal scorers. Once again in 2023-24, Draisaitl recorded a fifth season in his career where he recorded at least 40 goals & 100 points in a campaign as he looks to continue to build out his hall-of-fame resume.
4. Auston Matthews, Center, Toronto Maple Leafs
The best goal scorer in hockey was on the verge of history this year as he finished 1 goal shy of being the player to score at least 70 goals in a season since Alexander Mogilny & Teemu Selanne in 1993.
Despite his historical campaign, Matthews & his Leafs suffered another early playoff exit at the hands of the Boston Bruins in Round 1. As Toronto will likely make major changes this off-season, one thing they do not want to see change is Matthews' ability to light the lamp better than anyone in the game.
3. Nikita Kucherov, Right Wing, Tampa Bay Lightning
The smoothest & most patient player in the game enjoyed his best season to date with a career-best 144 points on the year, surpassing his previous best 128-point year in the 2018-19 season. As Tampa Bay begins to phase out of true Cup contender status, they will always be a tough out with Kucherov playing at this elite level that so few players have ever been able to reach.
2. Nathan MacKinnon, Center, Colorado Avalanche
One of the most explosive and fastest players of all time, MacKinnon seems poised to take his home first career League MVP award as he is the heavy-betting favourite to win the Hart Trophy. Without captain Gabriel Landeskog again this season, MacKinnon stepped up in a major way having the best season of his career reaching 50 goals, and setting a new personal new with 140 points, while appearing in every game for the first time since the 2018-19 season.
With the very real possibility that Landeskog never plays in the NHL again, Colorado should be relieved that MacKinnon will be ready to guide this Cup Contender every year of his prime should the team put the correct pieces around him and Cale Makar.
Connor McDavid, Center, Edmonton Oilers
What more is there to say about Connor McDavid? The guy is just on another level than anyone else in the NHL.
McDavid & Nikita Kucherov were the first players to record 100 assists in a season since Wayne Gretzky last did it in 1992.
McDavid is the fastest, as well as the most skilled player who has ever lived and should the Oilers win Game 7 on Monday to complete the greatest comeback in the history of sports, it will become justified to start having GOAT conversations about this generational talent.
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