Who is the best player on each NHL team?
It seems in every sport, we are always comparing and ranking players. Who is the best player in the league? Who is the best player at each position? This is also the case in the NHL.
These lists are always highly subjective and can never keep everyone happy because there is simply so much skill in every professional sport that it is very hard to say one superstar is without a doubt superior to another.
Today, I decided to expand on the conversation, and rank the best player on each team in the NHL. As it turns out, it is still highly debatable.
Pacific Division
Anaheim Ducks – John Gibson
Despite struggling the last few seasons, the Anaheim Ducks have one big thing going for them. That is that they have one of the best goalies in the league in John Gibson. The 26-year-old has been everything they hoped for and more when they selected him with the 39th overall pick at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
Gibson had a down year this season, posting a 3.00 goals-against average (GAA) and a .904 SV%, in large part due to playing in front of a weak Ducks lineup. His overall career numbers of a 2.53 GAA and a .918% save percentage truly show how good the American born goaltender is, and why he is regarded as one of the games best. One certainly hopes the Ducks will be able to turn things around while Gibson is still at the top of his game.
Arizona Coyotes – Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Oliver Ekman-Larsson’s career feels somewhat disappointing to this point, but to no fault of his own. The 28-year-old Swedish defenceman has been one of the better players on the back end in the entire league for years now, but has played in the playoffs just once due to being part of a weak Coyotes roster. Despite this, he has never complained to the media and continues to be a great captain.
Ekman-Larsson has never become as dominate of an offensive defenceman many expected, he has still been able to put up solid numbers while also playing a solid defensive game. This season saw him put up nine goals and 21 assists in 66 games. He will get the chance this summer to play in the postseason for the first time in eight years, thanks to NHL expanding this years playoffs from 16 teams to 24.
Calgary Flames – Matthew Tkachuk
For many years, Johnny Gaudreau held this title. However, Matthew Tkachuk has become without a doubt the most valuable member of this Flames team. Since making his rookie season in 2016-17, the 22-year-old has established himself as one of the most agitating players in the entire league. What makes it even more frustrating for opposing players and fans is that he is also highly skilled.
The 2018-19 season is the best season Tkachuk has had in the NHL to date, as he put up a career-high 34 goals and 77 points. Though his point totals were down slightly this season, his 61 points were still good enough to lead his team in scoring.
Edmonton Oilers – Connor McDavid
Despite German-born forward Leon Draisaitl winning the Art Ross Trophy with 110 points this season, there is still no doubt Connor McDavid is the Edmonton Oilers best player. In fact, not only is he the best player on the Oilers, but most would agree that he is the best player in the world.
His combination of blazing speed, matched with hands that can keep up with his foot speed, as well as his incredible hockey IQ, make him a threat every time he steps on the ice.
The 23-year-old had 34 goals and 97 points despite playing in just 64 games this season. Had the season not been canceled, he would’ve hit the 100-point mark for the fourth straight season. The scary thing is that, given his young age, he has likely not yet reached his full potential. McDavid has a chance to go down as one of the best to ever play the game.
Los Angeles Kings – Anze Kopitar
Not much has gone right for the Los Angeles Kings lately. It doesn’t seem very long ago that they won two Stanley Cups just two seasons apart, the final coming in 2014. The last few seasons, however, have been very disappointing, as they have many players who have seen their play fall off dramatically in Jonathan Quick, Jeff Carter, and even Drew Doughty.
One player who has not dropped off is Anze Kopitar. Even though he is past his prime age-wise at 32, the Slovenian centerman is as good as he ever has been, all while playing on a struggling team. This season was yet another impressive one, as he posted 62 points in 70 games, and continued his strong defensive play.
San Jose Sharks – Erik Karlsson
The Sharks were one of if not the hardest team to pick the top player for. For years it would have been Joe Thornton, but he has begun to slow down with age. There is also another great defenceman in Brent Burns, as well as the underrated Logan Couture. One reason this was so hard to pick is that the nearly the entire Sharks roster had horrible seasons, Erik Karlsson included.
In fact, Karlsson has struggled in both of his two seasons with the Sharks. While his numbers don’t look bad, it is clear watching that he has not been nearly as dominant as he was during his time with the Ottawa Senators.
However, due to the entire team having a down year, I believe Karlsson can bounce back in a big way. If he is able to rediscover his game, he is not only the best defenceman on the Sharks, but likely in the league.
Vancouver Canucks – Elias Pettersson
Despite going fifth-overall at the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Elias Pettersson wasn’t very well known to many fans when he made his NHL debut last season. That changed in a hurry, as the Swedish sensation put up 28 goals and 66 points in just 71 games. This incredible rookie season made him a fairly easy pick for the Calder Trophy.
This season saw Pettersson post very similar numbers, with 27 goals and 66 points in 68 games. Though he didn’t lead the team in scoring this year as he did last, you won’t find anyone that will argue he isn’t the team’s best player. Given that he is just 21-years-old and has yet to put on much weight yet, it’s scary to think just how good he will be in a few years.
Vegas Golden Knights – Mark Stone
It’s not often in hockey that anyone other than a center wins the Selke Trophy, but right-winger Mark Stone may soon have one of his own. The 28-year-old is not only incredible defensively but also puts up big numbers each season. This year was no different as he had 63 points in 65 games.
The former Ottawa Senator has been one of the bigger draft steals in recent memory, being selected in the sixth round (178) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. He has been a fantastic addition to the stacked Golden Knights roster since being acquired at the trade deadline during the 2018-19 season.