#10 – Miro Heiskanen – Dallas Stars

ESPN – #29, Pastrnak at #10

Miro Heiskanen within the last few years or so has become a perennial top 5 defenceman, maybe even higher. I would argue that he is one of the most underrated players in the league, he does not get talked about enough for what he does on that team. One of the main reasons they stay as contenders year in, year out. Whilst that may seem like an obvious statement, the core surrounding him is ageing and his ability to improve his game and the team around him is something to admire.

#9 – Matthew Tkachuk – Florida Panthers

ESPN – #11, Jack Eichel at #9

Whilst Jack Eichel could be considered in the upper echelon of players, especially considering what he gets paid, when you think of a star player you just don’t think of him. Someone you do think of is Matthew Tkachuk. Perhaps one of the most dynamic wingers in the game, his ability to flip the game on its head is, I would argue, somewhat unmatched. What he managed to do in the playoffs is nothing short of extraordinary. We are yet to see what he can manage this season with an arguably weaker team surrounding him, but I can’t wait (unless the Panthers are playing the Leafs).

#8 – Mikko Rantanen – Colorado Avalanche

ESPN – #7, Kucherov at #8

Last year, Rantanen showed that he is so much more than I think we all thought he was. How he performed while Makar and Mackinnon were injured was absolutely incredible, however, I do think that the next player has a slight advantage. How the Avs didn’t win last year is beyond me.

#7 – David Pastrnak – Boston Bruins

ESPN – #10, Rantanen at #7

Having Pastrnak below Eichel is criminal. He is one of the best scorers in the league. He scored 60 goals last year. I think his goal scoring touch puts him a touch ahead of Rantanen. I also think that with the absence of Krejci and Bergeron on the team, he will have to contribute that much more. Potentially controversial take: Pasta is more important to the Bruins than Rantanen is to the Avalanche. It’s really difficult though, either of them could swap positions.

#6 – Andrei Vasilevskiy – Tampa Bay Lightning

ESPN – #57, Draisaitl at #6

How can you genuinely have him at 57 on the list? For reference, here are some of the players above him: Clayton Keller, Jake Oettinger, Mark Stone and Hampus Lindholm to name a few. And I mean no disrespect to those players, but you have to admit, Vasilevskiy is leagues above them. I would argue that he is the best goalie in the league by a country mile. He did have a rough end to the season last year and he is injured to start this season, but he’s Vasilevskiy. Who wrote this article?

#5 – Nathan Mackinnon – Colorado Avalanche

ESPN – #3, Matthews at #5

Watching Mackinnon is one of my favourite pastimes. The way he plays is like watching art in motion. Whilst he has dropped two places on my list compared to ESPN’s, it’s a game of inches when we get to this level. I can understand the argument for him being at #3, but I do think the next four players just have that slight edge.

#4 – Cale Makar – Colorado Avalanche

ESPN – #2, Jack Hughes at #4

Just an absolute monster on the ice. Best defenceman bar none. If he wasn’t injured, I think he would’ve won the Norris last season. I think he probably should have won it anyway (Erik Karlsson, I love you, you cannot play defence). An epic player to watch, I want him on the Leafs SO BADLY.

#3 – Auston Matthews – Toronto Maple Leafs

ESPN – #5, Mackinnon at #3

I am assuming that this article took a long time to write as they had to collate data from 50 different people and form a semi-coherent list. At the same time, Matthews opened the season with back to back hat tricks. Yes, at the time of writing, he has not kept up his 246 goal pace but you can see that Matthews is back to form this season. Top 3, easily.

#2 – Leon Draisaitl – Edmonton Oilers

ESPN – #6, Makar at #2

How the Oilers have only ever made it as far as the Western Conference Finals whilst having Draisaitl and McDavid on the team should be investigated. 

#1 – Connor McDavid – Edmonton Oilers

ESPN – #1, McDavid at #1

He’s McDavid. Need I say anymore?