With NHL players returning to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, a new ranking identifies the top 50 skaters and goalies. Using an adjusted Goals Above Replacement (GAR) metric, Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche earns the No. 1 spot. His recent tear, averaging 2.1 points per game post-holiday break, solidified his position ahead of Connor McDavid.

The ranking blends three seasons of production, weighting the current 2025-26 campaign most heavily. Cale Makar, MacKinnon's Colorado teammate, lands at No. 2, highlighting the Avalanche's dominance. McDavid, despite a stellar career, ranks third, impacted by a 15-game injury absence last season. This data-driven approach measures total impact above a replacement player.

For Team Canada, this analysis suggests MacKinnon and Makar could form a potent duo in Milan, building on their 4 Nations Face-Off chemistry. The rankings set expectations for the Olympic tournament, where NHL stars will compete for gold for the first time since 2014. It frames the upcoming Games as a showcase of the league's current elite talent.