ESPN's annual NHL Rank, the top 100 player list published at the start of each season, has drawn sharp criticism from NHL executives. The ranking is built from ballots submitted by 15 members of ESPN's hockey staff, who project how players will perform in the 2026-27 regular season rather than rewarding past achievements.
One general manager questioned why Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin appears at No. 78, saying he "barely skates anymore." Another executive flagged New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer at No. 16, noting that last season's rookie of the year posted 59 points in 82 games while averaging 24:41 of ice time per night, ranking 14th among all defensemen. Executives also questioned why several veteran defensemen, including Colton Parayko, Travis Sanheim and Drew Doughty, were absent despite playing in the Olympics.
Several executives argued that voters overvalued scoring over real impact on winning. One GM said some players rank high for points rather than their influence on results, while another criticized "empty-calorie point guys" and singled out Montreal winger Cole Caufield at No. 25. Players cited as undervalued included Adam Fox, Mark Stone and Brandon Hagel, the latter described by one executive as a "superstar" ranked far too low.
The reigning Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes also drew criticism, with only center Sebastian Aho cracking the top 50 at No. 48, down from 28th last year. Executives wondered why no member of the team's top line, Taylor Hall, Logan Stankoven and Jackson Blake, made the list. The writer acknowledges that some placements, including Schaefer's, are too high.
Source: ESPN NHL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing