The 20 NHL Stars Everyone's Talking About Right Now
The 20 NHL Stars Everyone's Talking About Right Now
A record-tying scoring champion, a shocking trade, and back-to-back Stanley Cup champions — here's who's driving jersey demand across the league.
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Quick Answer: Who's at the Top Right Now
Connor McDavid remains the league's top talent after winning his sixth career Art Ross Trophy, with Nathan MacKinnon and Leon Draisaitl right behind him. Here's the full breakdown of who's shaping jersey sales heading into the new season.
Who Tops the List This Year?
Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers, C) continues to be the standard-bearer for the sport, winning his sixth career Art Ross Trophy as scoring champion and tying Gordie Howe and Mario Lemieux for the second-most Art Ross wins in NHL history. Right behind him, Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche, C) claimed his first career Rocket Richard Trophy with 53 goals, and Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers, C) made history with four overtime goals in a single postseason.
The biggest offseason story belongs to Quinn Hughes (Minnesota Wild, D), whose blockbuster trade from Vancouver in December 2025 instantly reshaped jersey demand in Minnesota, while Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning, RW) capped his season by winning the 2026 Hart Trophy as league MVP.
The Full Top 20, Ranked
| # | Player | Team | Why They're Here |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connor McDavid | Edmonton Oilers | 6th career Art Ross Trophy, 138 points |
| 2 | Nathan MacKinnon | Colorado Avalanche | First Rocket Richard Trophy, 53 goals |
| 3 | Leon Draisaitl | Edmonton Oilers | 52 goals, historic playoff run |
| 4 | Cale Makar | Colorado Avalanche | 30-goal defenseman, Norris Trophy winner |
| 5 | Nikita Kucherov | Tampa Bay Lightning | 2026 Hart Trophy MVP, 130 points |
| 6 | Aleksander Barkov | Florida Panthers | Two-time Stanley Cup champion |
| 7 | Sidney Crosby | Pittsburgh Penguins | Record 20-season point-per-game streak |
| 8 | Connor Hellebuyck | Winnipeg Jets | Vezina and Hart Trophy winner |
| 9 | Andrei Vasilevskiy | Tampa Bay Lightning | 2026 Vezina Trophy, most wins since 2015-16 |
| 10 | Quinn Hughes | Minnesota Wild | Blockbuster trade, Norris Trophy winner |
| 11 | David Pastrnak | Boston Bruins | Third straight 40-goal, 100-point season |
| 12 | Kirill Kaprizov | Minnesota Wild | Career-best 1.37 points per game |
| 13 | Mikko Rantanen | Dallas Stars | 22 playoff points, historic scoring bursts |
| 14 | Jack Eichel | Vegas Golden Knights | Career-high 94 points, 2023 Cup champion |
| 15 | Auston Matthews | Toronto Maple Leafs | 401 career goals, 3x Rocket Richard |
| 16 | Brayden Point | Tampa Bay Lightning | 300th career goal, third 40-goal season |
| 17 | Zach Werenski | Columbus Blue Jackets | First career Norris Trophy |
| 18 | Mitch Marner | Vegas Golden Knights | 102 points, signed 8-year deal with Vegas |
| 19 | William Nylander | Toronto Maple Leafs | 45 goals, 259 consecutive games played |
| 20 | Matthew Tkachuk | Florida Panthers | Two-time Stanley Cup champion |
Which Jersey Should You Actually Buy?
McDavid remains the single most popular jersey in the sport, but if you want a jersey with a fresh storyline, Quinn Hughes in Minnesota or Mitch Marner in Vegas are the two most talked-about trades of the past year. For collectors chasing recent champions, Barkov and Tkachuk in Panthers colors represent back-to-back Stanley Cup pedigree.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the best NHL player right now?
Connor McDavid remains the most commonly cited top player after winning his sixth career Art Ross Trophy, with Nathan MacKinnon and Leon Draisaitl close behind.
Which NHL jersey is selling fastest this season?
Jerseys tied to major trades — especially Quinn Hughes in Minnesota and Mitch Marner in Vegas — are seeing rapid demand as fans update their collections.
Do NHL jerseys run true to size?
NHL jerseys are cut with a relaxed, roomy fit to accommodate layering. See our Sizing & Technology Guide for details.
How do I check if my NHL jersey is authentic?
Look for sublimated dye graphics and woven tags — our Authenticity Guide covers what to check.
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Shop NHL Jerseys →By Pro Kit Vault Editorial Team · Last Updated: August 2026 · Rankings compiled from NHL.com and CBS Sports
