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SUFYAN JAWED
SUFYAN JAWED
MAY 29th 2023
MAY 29th 2023
The Top 10 at each position, at the end of the 2022-2023 season...in my opinion.
This series of articles will rank the top 10 players at each position in the NHL. My process will consist of my personal view of the player, their production, and their skill level based on both the eye test and analytics. These are, in my opinion, the best players going in to next season. This is only one man's opinion, and it is inevitable that disagreements will happen. But I’ll do my best to explain why I have players where I do. I’ll also put my favourite play from each player from this past year.
Gamescore by @hockeystatcards on www.hockeystatcards.com = GS
10 - Brayden Point -Tampa Bay Lightning - Age: 27
2022-2023 Regular Season Stats:
Somehow a 51 goal scorer is 10th on this list, and honestly barely makes it. After his breakout season in 2018-2019 where he had 92 points, Point has amassed 357 points in 349 games from that season until now. He also ranks 5th in goals among centres in that timespan as well. He's a fairly good two-way player as well which gives him an edge on certain other players who were also in contention for this position for me. Going in to next year point figures to continue his strong impact for the Lightning as they seek to elongate their window as long as they can.
9 - Sidney Crosby - Pittsburgh Penguins - Age: 35
2022-2023 Regular Season Stats:
Crosby has been the best player in the league for the majority of my life, and only gave up the throne to a worthy successor in Mcdavid. Considering next season will be his 19th, there are few players who's skill set's have aged as well as Crosby's has. He may have lost a step in terms of straight line speed, but that was never really his game anyway, his agility and edge work are still on full display and that led to him producing another productive season. There is no denying a slight decline in play, but he still had a 93 point season. The signs of decline are more so prevalent because of how many secondary assists he had this year (24 of his 60) which certainly boosted that point total a bit, but there is little doubt the Penguins captain should still be on this list until he shows true decline...which may never really happen.
8 - Tage Thompson -Buffalo Sabres - Age: 25
2022-2023 Regular Season Stats:
Tage Thompson is the prime example of a player who just needed an opportunity to be themselves on the ice. In the Eichel-era for Buffalo, Thompson lacked opportunity and the freedom to be as creative offensively as he has shown to be. In his first 4 seasons with both the Blues and Sabres, Thompson had 18 goals and 35 points in 145 games while averaging only 12 minutes of ice time. In the last two seasons however, the 6'8" Centre showed off his top-tier offensive skill level, possessing all-world speed and hands for a player of his size, not to mention that he is 100% a contender for having the best all around shot in the league...though if I'm being honest his one-timer is the undisputed best shot-type in the show. With the increased ice time and freedom the past two seasons Thompson produced 85 goals and 162 points in 156 games. Unreal career turnaround.
7 - Alexander Barkov - Florida Panthers - Age: 27
2022-2023 Regular Season Stats:
Barkov is as consistent as a player can possibly be, playing somewhere in the realm of a 85-95 point pace, while possessing some of the better defensive skillsets we have seen from an offensive superstar in recent years. Because Barkov impacts the game in so many different way he rarely ever has an off game. Since his Breakout in 2015-2016, his age 20 season, Barkov carries a 1.06 points per game in 539 games, in addition to 3 top 5 finishes in Selke voting, winning it in 2020-2021. Barkov has also put together a strong postseason performance this year, being one of the key pieces in Florida's improbable Finals run.
6 - Elias Pettersson - Vancouver Canucks - Age: 24
2022-2023 Regular Season Stats:
Pettersson finally hit the next gear everyone knew he had. The silky Swedish centre brought some light to an otherwise abysmal season for the Canucks. The major step that he took this year is his production at even strength. he nearly doubled his even-strength point from last season. Pettersson ranked 3rd among centres in EVP, tied with Jack Hughes at 68. A major breakout in that category for him since he had 66 points total last season. Pettersson's arsenal contains one of the smoothest releases in the league an an elite passing ability that mesmerizes opposing defenders. He finally decided to become more of a shooter this season, as his shots per game was well above his career average of 2.29, up to 3.21 this season. Being that he is only 24, he has the skillset to continue this pace in to his prime seasons.
5 - Auston Matthews - Toronto Maple Leafs - Age: 25
2022-2023 Regular Season Stats:
For most players a 40 goal, 85 point season is a career year that they hope they can repeat. For Matthews, it is somehow a down year. But I think we found his floor. When you're a player of his caliber, playing in a market as big as Toronto, facing scrutiny is a foregone conclusion, but he handles it better than anyone. I would personally bet on Matthews returning to 60 goal form next season, since he entered the league, his 299 goals ranks first among all-skaters. From 2019-2022 Matthews played at a 63 goal pace, so going in to his contract year, I'd expect his to get back to that form. Matthews alien like release as well as his uncanny ability to put himself in positions to score makes him one of the most consistently dangerous players to enter the league in recent year.
4 - Jack Hughes - New Jersey Devils - Age: 22
2022-2023 Regular Season Stats:
Electrifying: is the best way to encapsulate Jack Hughes' game in to one word. There hasn't been a player that shook the "bust" label as well as Hughes has. Yes, his first couple of years were mediocre for a first overall pick, not everyone dominates at 18-19 years old, especially when you fall in the undersized category like Hughes does. But boy has he figured it out. In the last two seasons Hughes has amassed 155 points in 127 games including 110 even-strength points. Hughes has superstar level speed, hands and shot. His game-breaking ability has led to him being one of the most feared players in the NHL, which is a juxtaposition to his mellow personality. Hands down one of my favourite players in the show to watch.
3 - Leon Draisaitl - Edmonton Oilers - Age: 27
2022-2023 Regular Season Stats:
Draisaitl seems to be discredited quite a bit because of the fact he plays on the same team as Mcdavid. Critics can't seem to grasp the concept of two top 5 players playing on the same team. But they should get used to it. Draisaitl's ability to make improbable passes is second to none, which paired with the ability to score from any angle at all creates a production monster. Since 2018-2019 Draisaitl ranks 1st in goals among centres and 2nd in points. On top of his prowess on his own, Draisaitl creates an immensely difficult to handle two-headed power-play monster with the aforementioned Mcdavid. Look, no one can deny that playing with Mcdavid has its benefits, but I have little doubt in my mind that Draisaitl would be as successful on a different team as long as he has the same creative freedom that he does in Edmonton. His abilities make everyone around him better.
2 - Nathan Mackinnon - Colorado Avalanche - Age: 27
2022-2023 Regular Season Stats:
Nathan Mackinnon is the hockey player equivalent of a Tasmanian devil. His motor does not stop for anything or anyone in any case. That intensity combined with the speed, skill and devastating finishing ability has developed Mackinnon in to a chance creating monster. From the start of a game to the very end, Mackinnon is full-throttle. It's part of the reason that Colorado is rarely out of games, and it's also why they are able to keep the gas-pedal down and blow teams out once they're already up. Mack's production took another leap this season, as if he even needed one, his points per game were 3rd among all skaters only to Mcdavid and Draisaitl, but he finished 1st among all skaters in even strength points with 77. Mackinnon's playoff performances are what really separate him from a lot of the field. He is one of the more clutch players in the show with the game-breaking ability to score and create goals in the most intense moments.
1 - Connor Mcdavid - Edmonton Oilers - Age: 26
2022-2023 Regular Season Stats:
Mcdavid's stats speak for themself. I could go through and say all the categories he's first in since he came in to the league but that is now pretty redundant. Just go look at his hockey reference page and see all the bold. He's the best player that I have ever seen and I want to show what makes him so special. He is as generational, as a generational talent can get. So lets see what his skillset entails.
Let's start with the obvious, Mcdavid's speed. His in-game speed is bar-none and his acceleration mixed with his agility is extra-terrestrial. Let's first look at two-plays that show off first his straight line speed, and then his agility (all of these plays are going to be from this year, his career highlights are too expansive).
This play shows Mcdavid's ability to gain separation on his opponents with only a few strides. He steals it, makes one move, and then he's gone. He gets to top speed so quickly that by the time he he crosses the other teams blue-line he can coast and focus on the finish.
This next play shows off his agility, his ability to turn on a dime is second to none. He can shake off anyone while he's just roaming around the offensive zone.
The next is actually and underrated aspect of his game, that he himself claims he worked on (as if he needed another thing to be amazing at). Mcdavid's shot was never bad or even average, it was always above average. But this season his shooting ability took a step towards him having one of the better shooting arsenal's in the league, as shown here:
Beating the goalie twice in under two minutes from virtually the same angle/spot is top-tier. Not only that he beat him glove side on one and blocker side on the other. Unreal.
Next is a part of his game that we see on full display in weekly highlight reels throughout the season. The stick-handling. With the speed and agility he posses, his stick-handling brings his game to the god-like tier.
This one stings considering it was against my team, but now that its the off-season I can fully appreciate it. The start from the blue-line where he survey's the defence, and attacks at the perfect moment. And then his stick handle's make it seem like he's 5 moves ahead of everyone, he knows exactly where the defender's stick will be before they even put it there
Lastly is how how he apply's the full breadth of his skillset to a single improbable situation and essentially wills his way in to scoring. There are moments that he just cannot be denied. Such as this:
This goal is a pure testament to how Mcdavid's dedication to winning, which separates him other superstars and puts him in the categories of the greater leaders in the game. This goal also shows one of the lesser highlighted aspects of his game, his defensive ability. Mcdavid has unearthed a certain defensive prowess that he didn't hold in the early part of his career. Now he is arguably one of the league's better penalty killers, while also being a constant threat to score on the penalty kill because of his next-level hockey IQ and reading the opposing team's plays before they even happen. They greatest player on the planet somehow improved, the whole league should be on notice, his exit interview this season is showed frustration and that seems to only be fuel for megastar's like him. Connor Mcdavid is not only the best centre in the NHL, he's not only the best player either, he has entered all-time talk, Mcdavid might just be the most talented player this game has ever witnessed.
Honourable Mentions
Tim Stutzle
Ottawa Senators
Sebastian Aho
Carolina Hurricanes
Roope Hintz
Dallas Stars
Nico Hischier
New Jersey Devils
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