RANKING THE TOP 25 PLAYERS IN THE NHL | BARDOWN PODCAST

On the eve of the start of the 2023-24 NHL season, Corwin, Luca, Jesse and DZ rank the top 25 players in the league.

[@danielzakrzewski.bardown]

Drop your Top 25 Rankings in the comments & we'll discuss them in the live podcast on Wednesday! 👀

[@BraedenD]

25. Connor Bedard. Jesse is right 24. Evgeni Malkin 23. Victor Hedman 22. Johnny Gaudreau 21. William Nylander 20. Rasmus Dahlin 19. Tage Thompson 18. Igor Shesterkin 17. Adam Fox 16. Sebastian Aho (CAR) 15. Brayden Point 14. Nikita Kucherov. are you keeding me 13. Alexander Barkov 12. Miro Heiskanen 11. Jason Robertson 10. Mitch Marner 9. Elias Pettersson 8. Mikko Rantanen 7. Matthew Tkachuk 6. David Pastrnak 5. Auston Matthews 4. Nathan Mackinnon 3. Leon Draisaitl 2. Cale Makar 1. Connor McDavid

[@ryanlachance4793]

​@@BraedenDyou have Malkin in the top 25 but not Crosby??? Are you keeding me

[@charby.]

1. Jack Studnicka 2. Cody Glass 3. Mikhail Sergachev 4. Shane Pinto 5. Rasmus Sandin 6. Kirby Dach 7. Rafael Harvey-Pinard 8. Robby Fabbri 9. Cal Clutterbuck 10. Sammy Blais 11. Nick Hague 12. Olen Zellweger 13. Cam Talbot 14. Matt Roy 15. Sam Lafferty 16. Travis Dermott 17. Jake Muzzin 18. James van Riemsdyk 19. Trevor van Riemsdyk 20. Jeremy Brodeur 21. Jonas Siegenthaler 22. Ivan Provorov 23. Cole Perfetti 24. Logan Stanley 25. Morgan Frost

[@letsgopens3610]

1. McDavid 2. Mackinnon 3: Draisaitl 4:Makar 5:M Tkachuk 6: Matthews 7: Pastrnak 8:Robertson 9: Hughes 10: Rantanen 11: Dahlin 12:Kaprizov 13:Sorokin 14: Shesterkin 15: Fox 16: Heiskanen 17:Thompson 18: Mcavoy 19: Marner 20: Crosby 21: Karlsson 22: Kucherov 23:Point 24: Vasilevskiy 25: Malkin

[@nathanialglucksman7252]

25.Alex Barkov 24.Clayton Keller 23.Tim Stutzle 22.Rasmus Dahlin 21.Jack Eichel 20.Sidney Crosby 19.Sebastian Aho (CAR) 18.Ilya Sorokin 17.Brayden Point 16. Adam Fox 15.Mitch Marner 14.Take Thompson 13.Mikko Rantanen 12.Jack Hughes 11.Elias Petterson 10.Cale Makar 9.Miro Heiskanen 8.Jason Robertson 7.Krill Kaprizov 6.Nikita Kucherov 5.David Pastrnak 4.Leon Draisital 3.Auston Matthews 2. Nathan Mackinnon 1.Connor McDavid Yes I have some hot takes but it’s my opinions.

[@michaelmcbride2670]

Quinn Hughes is so criminally underrated it’s laughable.

[@notstonks20]

he's taken a huge step this year, but we all know nobody in the media watches west coast games, so they just don't know how dominant he is 😅

[@dantonliam]

Right!?!?!

[@philipl8989]

Quinn Hughes is nr.1 atm. If this continue he should win Ted Lindsay

[@xEssayGaming]

Best defensemen in the league right now

[@medder4194]

nowhere near top 25 yet

[@puckcinemas9686]

Kucherov is one of the most consistent players in the nhl, has put up 110+ point pace 3 times

[@alexthebasilisk]

has literally been on pace to match or exceed that every season he's played since like 2018 too

[@tobinkern5389]

He is a 1 way player and that hurts his ratings

[@ryaneldred55]

The absolute disrespect. Putting him outside the top 10 is insane to me.

[@tobinkern5389]

@@ryaneldred55 Kucherov couldnt defend against a womens high school team. His defensive advanced stats are embarassing

[@s4mcote]

Saw him against Montreal last year. Barely noticed him all game, but finished the game with three points. He’s all offense and extremely talented for sure, but I’d pick many guys over him.

[@tyler.harford6479]

That’s wild to say Sid hasn’t been in the playoffs for a while after missing one year 😭

[@TronleHD]

Bro like putting Crosby at 22 is straight up criminal. Go watch some of his games this season.

[@jonesy7425]

I'm so glad to see you guys again! It's the beginning of the best time of the year...Bardown Podcast Season!!!

[@simondaughtry4619]

I'd take Leon over Austin Matthews all day

[@jacobclemmons4769]

Found the Canadian

[@shreksswamp1182]

lol no i aint a leafs fan but matthews all day.

[@DigiTensei]

If the Oilers had Matthews instead of Leon then they'd have a higher chance at a cup.

[@simondaughtry4619]

based on his success with Toronto?@@DigiTensei

[@AA_Canuck]

Leon is a 40 goal 90 point guy without McDavid

[@Mulukkis]

I like people talking about how playoff performance matters and then consistently ranking Matthews and Marner way high in their rankings 🤣

[@alexanderross9881]

True lol

[@iladiesnutzoyochin]

Matthews at 2 is the biggest homer pick I've ever seen in my entire life.

[@AlexBrown-ot2gv]

Definitely wouldn't say the biggest, but I do think Leon's better

[@DigiTensei]

You haven't seen many homer picks then.

[@Dizee.]

2 hat tricks in 2 games 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[@iladiesnutzoyochin]

@@Dizee. this was before he did it

[@Dizee.]

@@iladiesnutzoyochin doesn’t matter still shows that he’s top 2-3 in the league

[@oopopp]

Steve Dangle didn't like Draisaitl much at all a few years ago too... THEN he had to watch the Oilers playoff series for his job and he's TOTALLY turned his opinion around saying Leon is better than auston, and it's not even close. Even Dangle says Daisaitl is 2nd Best player in the world now. These guys BARELY watch Oilers games and it shows 😂😂... completely clueless with their argument.

[@puckcinemas9686]

insane how none of you put Kucherov top 7, he has outscored everyone before him except Mcdavid and Draisaitl over these last 5 years

[@puckcinemas9686]

you can always count on 110+ points with Kucherov, tkachuk has never put up that many points for example

[@puckcinemas9686]

the quietest 110+ point season of all time

[@tobinkern5389]

@@puckcinemas9686 yeah because he doesnt play defense. He was a minus 2 last year with poor defensive metrics.

[@mdbp69]

Points aren’t everything, you beautiful soul

[@thedukeparty]

He’s a total liability on defense

[@walkerharris7625]

as an Oilers fan I also have to post mine and get some discussion goin, what do yall think? #1 - McDavid #2 - Mackinnon #3 - Makar #4 - Draisaitl #5 - Matthews #6 - Pastrnak #7 - Tkachuk #8 - Kucherov #9 - Rantanen #10 - Crosby #11 - Pettersson #12 - Hughes #13 - Fox #14 - Robertson #15 - Kaprizov #16 - Marner #17 - Dahlin #18 - Point #19 - Panarin #20 - Sorokin #21 - Shesterkin #22 - Heiskanen #23 - Thompson #24 - Aho #25 - Barkov I somewhat agree with you guys for goalies but my logic was.. the NHL resets and you're drafting a team, essentially like your fantasy drafts for NHL 24, etc. I would pick Sorokin/Shesterkin over every other player than those I have in the top 18. I can't justify picking them over a player like Dahlin or Point but I definitely could see it over Thompson & the rest. The toughest one was Heiskanen, he's obviously an elite defenseman, had an unreal year last year and is also one of my favourite players to watch but I wanna see a repeat season of last year before I start putting him above the rest. Draisaitl is a tough one because I agree he puts up a ton of points with the Oilers PP & McDavid in general but he still runs his own line and is dominant. Even when he was playing with weaker guys like Yamamoto, etc. When the Oilers first got in the groove he was playing with Nugent-Hopkins & Yamamoto and when that line was lighting it up and he was clearly the force leading that line. And then you put him with McDavid and it's just a different level of chemistry and he looks like a #2 player in the league alongside McDavid but still take McDavid out of the picture and he's easily an incredible player in the NHL, maybe drop him down to Rantanen level but I don't even think I would go that far. Crosby as well is still an INCREDIBLE player, the guy is 36 years old and STILL hasn't had a season with below a PPG. This guy is a different beast, and even after missing the playoffs last season he looks like he's bringing the fire this year and wants it so much more. I still consider Crosby top 10 in the league but I would imagine he also starts dropping here soon, which is sad to see as he's been a legend for majority of my life time. I think Crosby has one more beast year where he stays around the top 15 and then slowly declines. I could easily see after this next season both Petterson & Hughes jumping up the list more, Vancouver looks like they have a more stable roster & obviously New Jersey contenders and have a loaded roster. They both had career years last season and I expect both of them to be different beasts this year for their teams respectively. My only "?" near the top is Tkachuk. Had an unreal season last year, no denying that and the guy has also been incredible in both Florida & Calgary. I'm just wondering if he can repeat the year he had, and especially the team success with the Panthers. It was also tough to not put Ovechkin on this list, the guy can still score. At the end of the day I hope he passes Gretzky's goal record but I don't see him as a top 25 player anymore, but he's RIGHT there. Definitely an honourable mention. I also know Tim Stutzle is a BEAST and is going to have a breakout year this year, but I couldn't quite squeeze him in the top 25 yet - he no doubt cracks it next year imo but Barkov is such a good 2 way forward that there is no way I could put him over Barkov just quite yet.

[@alexanderross9881]

Nice list although I think Matthews and Pastrnak are too high and Crosby, Kaprizov, panarin and barkov are too low

[@jacobclemmons4769]

Wow, your personal list is the only good one I've seen in this comment section.

[@joelilly00]

Kucherov is the best winger in hockey

[@Bc232klm]

Missing Bedard. He's top 20 already.

[@poejavelski148]

Good list

[@freedtv3490]

Very excited for the team power rankings! The quizzes are amazing and all, but the bardown podcasts are the only thing getting me through college 😅

[@mcdaviddeservesbetter8]

Draisaitl will never get the respect he deserves, but that’s okay.

[@evanbrown2594]

If it was playoffs one could argue that he is #1 recently.

[@Raphael_Slowik]

@@evanbrown2594 I go with 1a and 1b. 80% of the games #97 is clearly the more flashy player, but there is no better player when it comes down to puck posession and defending the position. Drai is a beast.

[@evanbrown2594]

@@Raphael_Slowik #97 struggled with ESP in the last playoffs while Drai was I think top 3. Drai has earned the Top spot in my opinion.

[@ItsNicker]

pp merchant

[@evanbrown2594]

@@ItsNicker McDavid? I mean in the last playoffs, but the guy can score 5v5 most of the time. PP points all count.

[@joelilly00]

Also matthew tkachuk's "legendary" playoff run is 24 points, kucherov put up back to back 30+ point playoff runs and 28 in a 3rd straight cup finals appearance.....and kucherov has the most playoff points out of anyone since 2014

[@JD-2424]

It's funny how on one hand some people always try to talk down Draisaitl for playing alongside McDavid (altough they play on seperate lines most of the time), but on the other hand don't do same thing for the Avalanche players. When in reality Mackinnon ALWAYS plays with another borderline Top 10 player in Rantanen and both of them probably share more Ice Time with Makar than Draisaitl does with McDavid. Same goes for Matthews. He probably shares more time Ice Time with Marner than Draisaitl does with McDavid.😂

[@danielnam9026]

Only player in the league who gets punished for playing with McDavid is Drai. MacKinnon plays with Rantanen and Makar. Matthews plays with Marner. Kucherov’s got Point, Stamkos, and Hedman. You won’t see those arguments against them, just Drai 😂

[@aapokettunen8796]

​@@danielnam9026you used to see those arguments against rantanen but somehow it has stopped (maybe because of the production doesn't drop with mackinnon injuries)

[@christyouredumb956]

You realize nate and mikko are usually separated. The cup run was nate Landy and lehky with mikko Nuke and Kadri .

[@JD-2424]

@@christyouredumb956 Maybe they did something like that in playoffs. But their standard 1st line going into the season at least in recent years has always been MacKinnon, Rantanen + another winger with Makar behind them on D for good amount of time. And like all star players in the NHL they also play on their teams main PP. But I guess Draisaitl is the only Superstar in the NHL who should get critizised for playing with another Superstar on the PP😂.

[@SatansSun]

​@@danielnam9026its just people salty that they don't have one of the best players in the world on their teams, let alone two of them, so they find an excuse to help them cope with the Oilers having the 2 best players in the league

[@jcrawloser]

Alright, let's see what you boys think of this: (Quick Discussion Below) 1. Connor McDavid 2. Leon Draisaitl 3. Nathan MacKinnon 4. David Pastrnak 5. Auston Matthews 6. Cale Makar 7. Matthew Tkachuk 8. Nikita Kucherov 9. Mikko Rantanen 10. Ilya Sorokin 11. Mitch Marner 12. Adam Fox 13. Jack Hughes 14. Jason Robertson 15. Igor Shesterkin 16. Kirill Kaprisov 17. Sidney Crosby 18. Charlie McAvoy 19. Rasmus Dahlin 20. Elias Petterson 21. Tim Stutzle 22. Miro Heiskanen 23. Clayton Keller 24. Brayden Point 25. Artemi Panarin Here's the thing that people don't get when it comes to ranking players. It is NOT about "who you would want in a game 7 scenario" and it is not "who you would want to build a team around". It is purely based on how they control the game and how they are physically and mentally capable of performing at the highest level of play. Players like Jack Hughes, Jason Robertson, and Clayton Keller still have a lot to prove in terms of NHL consistency, but if you watch the way they play, they are on another tier compared to everyone else. Long time listener and watcher, thanks for still doing this stuff!

[@thefrozengamer5705]

Personally I really like your list but you just can't say austin matthews is better than Cale makar anymore. I'd maybe drop him to 6-7 I'd make a case for saying Jason Robertson should be around 10 too. Tage Thompson has to be on this list and I'd put him around 10 as well. Not a bad list tho

[@jcrawloser]

@@thefrozengamer5705 Absolutely fair take. Loving what I’m seeing from Tage and he def could make this list as the year goes on. Love to hear it

[@stupidas9466]

Here's what i think. I don't care who a random person on the internet puts on their list.

[@thefrozengamer5705]

@@stupidas9466 buddy why you angry 💀

[@ethanjackson1824]

Yeah pastrnak is top 5 for sure

[@35jigganator]

Saros not on the list is a crime. The guy played behind an AHL team with all their trades and injuries for the better part of the 2nd half and almost snuck them into the playoffs.

[@HockeyBeast81]

No

[@jonah.donohue]

Yes ratio

[@quistley4799]

If it wasn't for McJesus, Pasta would be Rocket trophy winner and Drai Art Ross trophy winner, yet Pasta is only 8/8/6 and Drai is 6 on one of those lists? Disrespectful.

[@RCD19983]

This!!!!!

[@sakalaathletics]

I don't know if you can say that Drai would win the Art Ross if McDavid wasn't playing. I am pretty sure he wouldn't.

[@oopopp]

The DISRESPECT of Draisaitl continues... smh....

[@ricardoracz7894]

Thank you guys for doing more podcasts! Love the Spotify content makes my commute all the better.

[@charby.]

My top 25 players in the league 1. Jack Studnicka 2. Cody Glass 3. Mikhail Sergachev 4. Shane Pinto 5. Rasmus Sandin 6. Kirby Dach 7. Rafael Harvey-Pinard 8. Robby Fabbri 9. Cal Clutterbuck 10. Sammy Blais 11. Nick Hague 12. Olen Zellweger 13. Cam Talbot 14. Matt Roy 15. Sam Lafferty 16. Travis Dermott 17. Jake Muzzin 18. James van Riemsdyk 19. Trevor van Riemsdyk 20. Jeremy Brodeur 21. Jonas Siegenthaler 22. Ivan Provorov 23. Cole Perfetti 24. Logan Stanley 25. Morgan Frost

[@wired14]

Some controversial choices but when I really think about it, I wouldn’t change a single name

[@charby.]

@@wired14Great minds think alike.

[@backister]

Interesting... is there a reason why you put James above his brother? I personally think you don't watch Trevor closely enough if you think James is a better player. Other than that, great list

[@debuthunter5389]

THE STUD!

[@kiranroye6498]

no jimmy vesey?

[@rolcopster123]

Where is Quinn Hughes???

[@johnspeedOfficial]

What else does Draisaitl gotta do to get 2nd 💀

[@phantom3841]

Play well 😂

[@johnspeedOfficial]

@@phantom3841 you're a clown, hes had a better prime than Auston Matthews

[@jeffe2267]

Win a cup

[@johnspeedOfficial]

@@jeffe2267 so then how is Matthews ranked higher than him 💀

[@jeffe2267]

@@johnspeedOfficial yeah, that ranking is wrong too. drai should be higher than matthews, lower than Makar/MacKinnon

[@hbreaker3698]

Draisaitl at 6, what a Toronto homer

[@jeffreycairns767]

Everybody has their own opinions on where each player belongs for different reasons.

[@greatestgameonearth]

@@jeffreycairns767 People are also stupid

[@VanMichael21]

Totally agree with Jesse and Corwin having Petterson at 10 and 11, Luca having him at 23rd was...I wouldn't say egregious but that's kinda low imo, but I also do understand his reasoning saying he would like to see at least another good season out of Petterson like he did last yr then he'd be more comfortable putting him higher.

[@icysnax4488]

As a comparable, the only thing Matthews has over Pettersson is a better wrist shot. That's literally it. They are near identical defensively, Pettersson is more physical, they are similar in terms of speed. Once Pettersson has been around a couple more years, he'll get more respect.

[@christophermorgan9199]

@@icysnax4488Petterson gets disrespected because he’s on the Canucks

[@samoneill1699]

I like Jesse’s take on goalies. I think Sorokin and Shesterkin are really insane but there’s so many really good goalies in the league at the same level. Sarros, demko, hellebuyck, etc All have carried there teams at different times. Goaltending is so much about hot streaks

[@SuperMadMason]

Vazy imo has done more to prove he’s the better Russian goaltender imo

[@glennhagstedt]

@@SuperMadMason Vasy is the best goalie in the league by far, its not even close, i dont understand how anyone can considered anyone else even close.

[@samoneill1699]

totally fair... forgot him in my comment he's my #1 to@@SuperMadMason

[@skitle8798]

Ullmark??? No one mentioned previous Vezna winner

[@SuperMadMason]

@@skitle8798 while he had a good season last year. I wouldn’t put him in the same conversation as the best goalies in the world. Besides last year he has only had one other season in which his numbers weren’t average. Need to see if he can have another stellar season.

[@smithpatton8328]

The disrespect for Kucherov and Draisaitl here is unbelievable

[@kpopct25]

AHSHSBSH I feel like I’ve waited years for a bardown podcast😭😍hopefully you guys upload a podcast at least once a week, it always makes my day!!!🤣🔥…still sad there wasn’t a live during the previous draft day🥹

[@dyankellett8444]

Ovechkin not being top 25 after having 43 goals 75 points in 73 games is crazy to me. I dont care if hes 38 he was on pace for 50 goals. Lets not forget the lack of help he had last season. Backstrom and wilson coming off major surgeries and carlson being out the majority of the season after his injury. I can't see him regressing with healthier and happier linemates (kuzy) and he even has some young faces from the calder winning team. At 38 i wouldnt bet on 50 but 40? Thats a smart bet

[@jacval6765]

Besides goal scoring tho he doesn’t offer too much at this point anymore. Still a good player but not a crime to not have him top 25

[@ethanjackson1824]

Marchand too is definitely top 25

[@dyankellett8444]

@@jacval6765 32 assists in 73 games isn't a sign of a bad passer imo. His passing just looks bad when you consider his shot which is among the best of all time

[@GeorgeFloyd_isgone]

Does everyone forget that ovi is one of the most physical fowards? He had better offensive stats and physicality than mathews this season yet people still say mathews is top 5 maybe even top 3 and ovi not even top 25??? Definitely underrated. Also considering the team each of them are playing on.

[@nhchel]

100% agree. It’s funny that a year ago when he scored 50 goals some people had him a top ten player lol

[@americangooner98]

Would love nothing more than a weekly hour long podcast from these four, would be amazing

[@RCD19983]

Corwin, your take on drai is absolutely nuts. He is top 3 let alone top 10🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️ insane lol. Luca yours too. Matthews & Tkachuk ahead of drai? Craaazy

[@jeffreycairns767]

It's their opinions, just like yours. Neither yours or theirs are right or wrong

[@RCD19983]

@@jeffreycairns767 statistically speaking, the correct answer is drai.

[@AlexBrown-ot2gv]

​@BostonBruins37 statistically speaking, your team should've made it out of the first round.

[@cartergudmundson]

Draisaitl at 6 is insane

[@jeffreycairns767]

That's your opinion

[@davidlarocque5848]

@@jeffreycairns767It’s a correct opinion

[@poejavelski148]

It’s not that insane. McDavid, Mackinnon, Makar are top 3. From there you could argue Matthews, Tkachuk, Drai, etc. Let’s stop acting like Drai is top 3.

[@jonah.donohue]

Incorrect

[@almuthebebrand7487]

Drai at 6 clearly seems to not watch Oilers ganes

[@misterbojangles]

Drai literally put up the same numbers when McDavid was hurt

[@alexracco1618]

I can't wait to watch you guys play NHL 24

[@SuperMadMason]

Don’t get how Luca says Hedman isn’t top 25 because he had a down season last year. Then proceeds to have Karlsson on the list he had a 100 pt season after several disappointing seasons in SJ.

[@lucacelebre88]

hedman is in my top-25

[@The21abc]

Draisaitl at 6 is craaazyy. He runs his own line btw

[@NotExplicable]

The power play?

[@FINsoininen]

Barkov at 17 is kind of insane aswell. Either they only care about offense or its the florida effect.

[@KASSIANOWNSYOU]

Y’all always underrate Draisaitl

[@canadianrage5224]

The way I would approach this top 25 ranking, is who I’d prefer having on my team, and if I’m being honest there’s a lot of players I’d rather have over a goalie. There’s so many good goalies in the league, that can all play insane at any given time. Taking a Sorokin or a Shesterkin before a high elite player that might fall lower down the list to me would be tricky. Also I would value players who can play shut down defence or a more well rounded game way more. I also feel like a lot of these players are great offensively, but there’s a lot who struggle defensively, for example like Karlsson. I’d definitely want a great two way forward or defensemen over a player that excels offensively, but struggles defensively

[@fern1079]

Imagine if pasta, mack, Matthews, or even Robertson Kirill Tkatchuck played with mcdavid on the power play. Would they put up Leon numbers?

[@kpopct25]

Hope you guys make a separate video for each team like a deep dive into how they played last year and their current players for this year

[@sethvanberkel1552]

RIP my respect for Corwin. Draisaitl is recognized as the best passer in the nhl and can score goals. He’s dynamic as hell

[@QenaitheCustodianGuard]

He isn't consensus undisputed best passer, he is ONE of the best passers.

[@KASSIANOWNSYOU]

@@QenaitheCustodianGuardThe rest of the NHL literally voted him the best passer. I think their opinion matters more than vouch potato fans at home

[@QenaitheCustodianGuard]

@@KASSIANOWNSYOU Wow, personal attack as well, classy. Sure I can see that counting for something, but winning with 25% of the votes in a player poll does not make you undisputed, particularly not when he is tied for third in assists with Erik Karlsson last year, seven behind Kucherov and 13 behind McDavid. The year before that he was 23rd, year before that he was second but still 19 behind McDavid. So? Sure assist does not necessarily say how good of a passer you are, but an assist is often a pass.

[@poejavelski148]

No, he wasn’t really wrong with that take. Drai has an insane hockey IQ and is probably the best passer in the league right now, but he is not in the same boat as guys like McD or Mack or Hughes when it comes to explosiveness and hands.

[@KASSIANOWNSYOU]

@@poejavelski148 Who cares about that stuff when he’s the best playmaker in the game with one of the best shots in the league. Cool he’s not as flashy, he still finishes miles above everyone else. Drai can take over a game, Hughes can’t. By ur logic Zegras is the best

[@spearson103]

If I lived in Toronto around people like this I think I'd learn to hate hockey

[@jeffreycairns767]

Why?

[@applejoosh_]

Petterson at 23 is insane

[@mollymccarron6719]

As an Edmonton fan Draisaitl not being in at least Corwin’s top 5 shocked me. He’s a fantastic player, good with assists and scoring, has had 4 100 point seasons and 3 50 goal seasons 2 of which were before Mcdavid himself even had 1. Arguably the best German player. I don’t know but as an Oilers fan I’ve always appreciated his skill more than Mcdavid’s. Oh and he’s won the Hart, Ted Lindsay and Art Ross.

[@mat5473]

Yeah I don't buy the argument that he's not top 5 without McDavid. That stretch was McDavid was injured and he got 12 points in 6 games kinda proves that.

[@ShinBin8]

As always great cut off at the end 😂

[@icysnax4488]

While I don't think he makes the top 25, I think Quinn Hughes should have been in the honorable mention section. He's so much better defensively than he gets credit for and he can walk the line with the puck as well as any defenseman in the league

[@johnsinglet575]

Agreed, I think he's primed to take another step forward again this year and hopefully he'll finally get the recognition deserved.

[@agoodmanafterdark]

He’s also setting NHL records and gets no recognition 🤯

[@andrewpoore7678]

Love the vipers tarp in the back

[@bigg1541]

You guys should rate the captains of every team

[@RezSniper37]

No Quinn Hughes on any list is heresy

[@timmie2k3]

Literally setting NHL defenseman records and not even in the top 25, lol.

[@gabriels8653]

Other than the Bedard puck, I actually think Jesses list is the most fair and well thought out

[@bex843]

According to analytics Karlsson is in 75% better than a replacement player at defense and he is 100% better at offense, he isn't much of a defensive liability as people make him up to be

[@hunterlehman3056]

Where in the hell are you finding a model that says Karlsson is 75% better than replacement defensively?

[@poejavelski148]

Not at all. Anyone who says Karlsson is bad defensively didn’t watch the Sharks at all last year and probably assume “derrr, he gets a lot of points, must mean he doesn’t play D”. News flash, some elite D men can do both. He was by a landslide the Sharks best defenceman defensively as well last year.

[@hunterlehman3056]

@@poejavelski148 “best on the sharks” and “good defensively” are not the same thing He is one of the worst defensemen in the NHL defensively. This is not a controversial stance

[@poejavelski148]

@@hunterlehman3056 I agree with your first statement, but you are incorrect with your second one. Just because he is an offensive defenseman does not mean he is bad on D.

[@hunterlehman3056]

@@poejavelski148 it’s not “because” he’s an offensive defenseman. There are plenty who are great at both aspects of the game (Makar, Fox, McAvoy, Heiskanen, Dahlin, Slavin, etc) Karlsson does not fall into that category. This is not a recent development, he’s had 3 straight years of being close to the worst defenseman in the league by defensive impact. And even at his best, he was never better than average by defensive impact. Karlsson is great at a lot of things. Top ~5% in offensive impact nearly his whole career with the finishing to back it up. But no one can reasonably say he’s ever been good defensively. Just a matter of is you think his offense outweighs that

[@biggiejerseysTV]

As someone who’s just recently gotten into the game of hockey and the NHL, seeing lists like these are great me as they’re very enlightening, for the lack of a better word, and it gives me players to look out for & keep my eye on. Stamkos happens to my favorite player so it’s disappointing not seeing him on any of the lists but granted he has been playing for 16 years now so that’s understandable and is the omission of Ovi.

[@hasal8747]

Same! Gotten into hockey as well and this was super informative for me.

[@georgenichols4657]

If you want a real list look at the players poll. It’s done by guys who actually know.

[@regana3805]

Man, DZ really is a mood killer. Luca is just awkward so he does this naturally but DZ just doesn’t like seeing people have fun

[@Kahluathebear]

That leafs hat 🧢 is clean af

[@mattjohnson1502]

Weird how underrated Kucherov and Point are even after two Stanley cups. Most put leafs players over them and they just aren’t as reliable. No Stanley cups either

[@aleksandrkrupenko9377]

what do u expect from fan boys? they love their boys so much that statistics fly out of the window.

[@boisvert45]

The real top 25 players in the league 1. Owen Tippett 2. Owen Tippett 3. Owen Tippett 4. Owen Tippett 5. Owen Tippett 6. Owen Tippett 7. Owen Tippett 8. Owen Tippett 9. Owen Tippett 10. Owen Tippett 11. Owen Tippett 12. Owen Tippett 13. Owen Tippett 14. Owen Tippett 15. Owen Tippett 16. Owen Tippett 17. Owen Tippett 18. Owen Tippett 19. Owen Tippett 20. Owen Tippett 21. Carter Hart 22. Nick Seeler 23. Felix Sandstrom 24. Owen Tippett 25. Connor McDavid

[@mattfahey8579]

As a Flyers fan I appreciate this list

[@canadianrage5224]

How can you have Owen Tippett so low at 24????

[@BandOfTheHawk2]

As an Oiler fan I do think it is right to slot both MacKinnon and Makar ahead of Drai, though I'd argue I fear Makar deserves the 2nd slot more than MacKinnon, he's the only guy who can impact a game at nearly the same level as McDavid. As for the Matthews vs Draisaitl debate, I don't mind the arguments about Matthews 2-way game elevating him, to be nearly equal to Drai who is clearly the more dominant point producer, but playoff Matthews vs playoff Draisaitl there is zero debate, in the playoffs Draisaitl is an absolute beast who is a very clear level if not 2 above Matthews. With respect to Pettersson he may be legitimately a top 10 talent, but I don't consider him to be a top 10 player, teams don't really respect the Nucks so they aren't gameplanning against him or playing him as hard as they should, if they ever make the playoffs I think his production will take a big hit until he learns and adapts. Lastly after his last playoffs I think Eichel should be in everyones Top 25.

[@jeremyrobak6750]

You can tell at least one of them has watched Kaprizov play.

[@NotTheRCMP]

So does Vasilevskiy just not exist anymore?

[@kiranroye6498]

for the next couple months yeah

[@greatestgameonearth]

Corwin clearly does not watch the Oilers. Comparing him to Jarri Kurry is a brain dead take.

[@seppokuusinen8595]

Exactly! Kurri won the Stanley Cup and scored 100+ points after Gretzky left. 😉

[@samoneill1699]

Quinn Hughes snubbed

[@marc-olivierlong5770]

THE LEON DISRESPECT

[@masterchef9512]

Leaving Ullmark off the top 25 is insane…

[@noahbolokoski993]

Drai at anything under 3 is crazy

[@insertgenericusernamehere2402]

Dunno how any of you put pasta that high up when the man can't defend for his life.

[@jaykay6270]

If Draisaitl was Canaidian or American, everyone would have put him at No 2. It's that simple, unfortunately.

[@KathrynG-im4of]

if mackinnon played in edmonton or toronto he'd be a unanimous #2 getting more of a spotlight

[@Mitch-ui8ps]

I don’t think that tbh drai in my opinion is the second best player regardless nationality

[@danielnam9026]

If Drai played for the Leafs, MLSE would build him a statue in front of the arena.

[@SquatLight55]

Disagree with the reasoning. Personally I think he’s 2 but people knock him for being on the same team as McDavid and because of how many of his point are on the powerplay. Not cuz he’s German lol

[@jeffreycairns767]

​@@KathrynG-im4ofHe would get more hate

[@jordan8199]

Luca trying to argue Rantanen is better than Kaprizov is such an unserious homer take lmfao

[@hewes1858]

Holy Corwin has never watched an oilers game before, draisaitl runs his own line, he plays powerplay yes but he runs his own like for the other 20 minutes he plays a night, tkachuk over draisaitl is absolutely ridiculous

[@RCD19983]

Yes!!! And for them to say drai wouldn’t be as good with Mcdavid is absolutely insane. Drai isn’t even on the same line. what’s even crazier is putting matthews in top 3 acting like being with marner isn’t a massive help!! Homers for sure.

[@MrZorgbot]

my favourite was the injury excuse for matthews, like did you not watch draisaitl dominate while being targeted all playoffs injured.

[@HarrisonHollers]

Check the numbers: Draisaitl over Marner. Draisaitl and Panarin’s production are significantly better than the respect they get here. For those who say Draisaitl plays with McDavid, all the other top guys have top guys on their teams as well. Also, Fox’s point production is not that far behind Makar. Two completely different defensemen in style. Both amazing to watch.

[@mikestan1801]

I hate seeing people throw up huge hype on Tage Thompson, and then when talking about Elias Pettersson, they all say, “I just need one more year…” Petey has been better than Thompson for a while. You don’t need more Pettersson, you need to judge all of the players with more consistency.

[@brizzchizz7302]

Quinn Hughes anyone? Like come on.

[@Joel_FNBR]

Drai at 6 is wild

[@1MPULS1VE_]

You’re right Luca… Eichel will make you look silly this year. His playoff run alone should grant him a spot. Not to mention he’s a point per game player when healthy. And one of the best defensive forwards in the game.

[@wm.98]

Surprised Beuks didn’t make Jesse’s list

[@jeffreycairns767]

How can anybody put Bedard or any guys from the most recent draft? They haven't played a single regular season game in the NHL. He has 1 empty net goal in preseason. I don't get it.

[@danielnam9026]

Aren’t you the same guy going around, telling everyone it’s an opinion? 🤔

[@canada1966]

Mcdavid Matthews Draisatl McKinnon Thathuk Makar Kucherov Rantanen Kaprizov Pasternak Marner

[@sedi859]

According to your lists, Barkov is apparently underrated😂

[@stupidas9466]

There are easily 15 players in the top 10, and nothing anyone says will change my mind.

[@brandonhunt9388]

The quinn Hughes hate is reeeaaalll

[@jaredkiser6578]

Corwin, we appreciate your Canes love. It's few and far inbetween on these sports networks. The rest of ya'll can eat my pucks.

[@Fick45]

As a guy who hardly watches hockey, we badly need more hockey content, I play the EA games a lot, and would love to learn more of the nuances of the real game.

[@ethanb88888]

I'm sorry but Corwin's list is insane. Crosby at 21, Kuch outside the top 10, Slavin in the top 25, Marner above Rantanen and Point and then Dahlin in there too. Having Drai outside the top 5 and Matthews at 2 is a big stretch. Not to mention, he had Jared McCann in there before he made a change??? There's 50-60 more players that would go in a top 25 before McCann.

[@crom6971]

crosby is the soul reason we arent a bottom 5 teams hes still top 10

[@probablysam2744]

The fact Igor is getting glazed while Saros and Hellebuyck are better shocks me

[@scottcameron174]

Matthews is absolutely NOT the most complete player in the game.

[@bounce12]

William Nylander is one of the most underrated players in the league along with Connor in Winnipeg

[@belperez1478]

For some reason, Luca saying Connor McNathan MacKinnon keeps cracking me up 😭

[@ediaz951]

Make a tier list for College Jerseys too please

[@FiNNaTTiC]

No pasta is disrespectful.

[@gerbyntiikeri]

The thing only one had Barkov in the top 25 is wild. Even more wild is that people rate Stutzle, Thompson, Hughes or Point over him. Barkov is also gonna pick up multiple Selkes now when Bergy’s retired.

[@sedi859]

Tell me about it yeah!

[@FINsoininen]

13th in p/gp since 18/19 while being top 5 defense every year. So disrespected.

[@nijaethompson7647]

Why is Point above Barkov wild exactly?

[@ThatOGOne]

You guys have such Toronto shaped glasses for Matthews. Ovi (goal scorer) gets completely cut, but Matthews (goal scorer+) is the second best player in the league for Corwin. He’s good but he’s definitely not top 5

[@User-wt9jk]

Don’t forget in the drai vs am34 debate that drains is playing with mcdavid. Imagine am34 with mcdavid

[@kiranroye6498]

auston matthews with mcdavid could be anything, he could even be draisatl!

[@jeffreycairns767]

Matthew's definitely wouldn't get the hate he gets now

[@brennanconway19]

Drai plays less with Mcdavid than Matthews does with Marner who is just as good of a passer

[@jeffreycairns767]

@brennanconway6138 Yet Marner is placed in the mid teens and McDavid is #1. Huge difference

[@brennanconway19]

@@jeffreycairns767 only cause he’s not as good all around but he doesn’t need to be he passes Mathew’s shoots Drai and Mcdavid can do both

[@whitneysmiltank]

6:00 lolllll Corwin

[@iprey4surf]

You guys forgot Larkin. After his ridiculous season this year, because he's finally surrounded by decent players, he will be in the top 20.

[@dgiles920]

The disrespect to kucherov is real

[@d.jenny2487]

Luca rocking a Brisbane Broncos cap 👌

[@themorethemerrier281]

It was a super ballsy move from Shktuk to go to the reigning Presidents Trophy winner. What a beast!

[@teajay3671]

Is that name supposed to be mocking? How do you even pronounce it? There’s so much stuff you can do with his name lol at least give it a little effort

[@themorethemerrier281]

@@teajay3671 I've used different ones in the past. Tkurtle is overused nowadays. Next time I'll try to come up with something more to your liking.

[@tiger5869]

I love the pink shades Jesse