Boston Bruins – Brad Marchand

I’m sure Mr Marchand is going to be at the top of everyone’s list of favourite players from Boston. On the ice he’s a dynamic player who is super fun to watch. He’s also a massive pain in the arse for every team he plays against. Whether it’s the licking or the shit talking across the benches or just generally being annoying it’s always fun to watch, even if your team is losing to him. On top of this, his social media presence is elite, Twitter especially. Definitely one of the most interesting players in the league and my favourite player from the Bruins.

Buffalo Sabres – Alex Tuch

Although Tuch is a new Sabre, having been traded there in November in the Jack Eichel trade, I think he’s made a lasting impression. He seems like a great guy, a great leader on and off the ice but most importantly, he seems like he actually wants to be in Buffalo. Having seen what the Sabres have been through over the last few years, having a player that actually wants to be there is a great boost for the organisation and the fans, and being able to see that on the ice as well is brilliant. I think he has future captain potential.

Carolina Hurricanes – Ondrej Kase

“But Lewis, he hasn’t even played a single game for them yet”, shut up! Kase was on the Leafs last year and made a lasting impression. From what I saw, he was almost manic on the ice, putting in maximum effort every shift; I once saw him go for a puck and almost knock himself out on the goalie net. He’s incredibly fun to watch and I hope that he stays injury free for the rest of his career, having been plagued by concussions for the last few years. He also played on every line with the Leafs at some point or another making him one of the more interesting players to watch. 

Columbus Blue Jackets – Johnny Gaudreau

I once again hear you calling my name and screaming at me saying “he hasn’t even played a game yet for the Blue Jackets”. Yes, but he’s signed there long term and has made it very clear he isn’t leaving anytime soon so I think it gives me some leeway. He’s a fantastic player to watch and I think it’s going to be even better now that he has Patrik Laine on his line as well. Also, there are not many players that look as happy as Gaudreau, I looked up pictures of him looking sad and even then he doesn’t look all that sad. I think he’s going to do great things in Columbus, and if not, at the very least he’ll be fun to watch.

Detroit Red Wings – Moritz Seider

Seider is one of only forty four players ever who have played in the NHL and be German at the same time. He won the trophy for the best rookie in the league last season – well deserved I think. He also plays a very physical game that a lot of people love to watch, I am one of them. In a few years I believe he is going to be one of the best players in the league or at least up there in that conversation. He also has great hair.

Florida Panthers – Spencer Knight

It was difficult to choose from the Panthers who my favourite player was, primarily because there was that whole controversy last playoffs of a lot of the players going to a strip club and getting wasted a day before their elimination game. Because not a lot of people know who was actually there, I had to go with the person who I don’t think would’ve been there because he is too young. Spencer Knight had a great season last year with the Panthers, I think he’s proved himself to be one of the better young goalies in the league and he’s got great potential. I’m excited to see what happens with him, whether it’s with the Panthers or not.

Montreál Canadiens – Michael Pezzetta

Pezzetta appeared last season once it became pretty clear that the Habs were not going anywhere. He is a player that knows exactly what his job is – to be a pain in the arse. He will fight, he will hit and he will have amazing hair while doing it. He seems like a really nice guy, someone that was given a chance by a failing team and managed to carve out a space in the minds of hockey fans. I hope, even if his NHL career is short, he has a great time and has a lot of fun wherever he goes.

New Jersey Devils – Jesper Bratt

I had some trouble deciding whether or not I would put my favourite player from the Devils as Dougie Hamilton but what pushed me over the edge was The Bratt Pack (@TheBrattPack63 on Twitter) and his undying love for Jesper Bratt. He had a great season last year and looks to have an even better one this year. He is fun to watch and is an elite NHL player, better than Connor McDavid and I have just realised I have been indoctrinated. JBITBPITNHL!

New York Islanders – Mathew Barzal

Unlike Jesper Bratt, I didn’t spend a lot of time thinking about this one. Barzal is hands down the best player on the Islanders and he is incredibly fun to watch when he gets going. His skating is elite, his creativity is great and he seems like a decent guy as well. I think he does a lot better this season than he did last one and I think once the Islanders get a new GM he is going to prosper. That or he goes somewhere else and gets even better. Either way, things are looking up for him.

New York Rangers – Ryan Reaves

Ryan Reaves is an NHL player. He isn’t flashy or spectacular or a star player, let’s be real. He is an integral part of the Rangers though, great on and off the ice and great for PR. He knows what his role is and he plays it incredibly well. He also seems happy a lot of the time as well which I think is pretty cool.

Ottawa Senators – Brady Tkachuk

I am pretty sure that the majority of the fanbase of the Ottawa Senators is with me on this one. Not only is he a decent scorer and a very physical player, which is always fun to watch, he loves being in Ottawa. Like the Sabres, it’s great to see a star player that actually wants to be there. As well as this, his new teammates in DeBrincat and Giroux are going to benefit him dramatically and I can’t wait to see how he does next season. He also always looks like he’s having fun, wherever he is. I think that’s something all the NHL players should strive to be like.

Philadelphia Flyers – Ilya Bryzgalov

Now you might be wondering why I have put down Ilya Bryzgalov as my favourite player from the Flyers as he is actually retired and hasn’t played in the NHL for seven years. According to the CapFriendly website (amazing website by the way), he is listed as still being paid by the organisation. I looked up and down their roster and tried to find a reason for who my favourite player would be, I could not. Bryzgalov made the “It’s only game, why you have to be mad” meme and live on eternally through the internet (he’s not dead). I hope the Flyers get some better players.

Pittsburgh Penguins – Sidney Crosby

I know this is a generic pick for a favourite player, not just on the Penguins but throughout the entire NHL but he genuinely is one of the best players to play the game and is very fun to watch. Everything about his game is elite and I think he’s going to be involved in the NHL long after he retires as a player. Also, his pregame rituals/superstitions are hilarious. I once saw a thing about his jock strap, at what point does it become like George Washington’s axe?

Tampa Bay Lightning – Zach Bogosian

One of the most underrated players in the NHL. Solid defender, physical guy, great beard, what is there not to love. There was a feature of him in the All or Nothing documentary for the Leafs for the 20/21 season and he seems like off the ice he’s a great guy, seems like the kind of guy I would want to be friends with. 

Toronto Maple Leafs – Morgan Rielly

I’m a Leafs fan so this was extra hard for me to decide who my favourite player is but I had to go with Rielly. He has been here forever, he will stay here forever, he is a staple of the Leafs defence. Super fun to watch, especially when he plays with TJ Brodie, and of all the clips I’ve seen of him off the ice he seems like such fun to be around. I genuinely hope he stays around in Toronto forever, and I think he will.

Washington Capitals – Alex Ovechkin

There is one reason why I have chosen Ovechkin but it is a big reason. Ovechkin is so close to breaking the record for goals scored in the NHL and I think he is going to break it by the time he’s done, even if he scores all of them from the same place. It is a shame that he got involved with all the Putin stuff, and I don’t know where he stands on that front at the moment but from a hockey perspective, favourite player on the Capitals.