Top 100 NHL players: 100-71

Leading up to the start of the 2024-25 season, theScore is counting down the top 100 players in the game today, as voted on by our NHL editors. We'll reveal players every day until the top 10 are unveiled Oct. 6.

100-71 | 70-51 | 50-31 | 30-11 | 10-1

2023-24 rank: 63

Two years removed from his only 30-goal season, a healthy Svechnikov will hope to return to the heights he reached in 2021-22. He fired under 2.5 shots per game last season for the first time since his rookie year, a number that will need to jump back up for him to get back to a 30-goal pace.

2023-24 rank: 49

It was a bit of a down year for Oettinger, who missed some time with an injury, but the Dallas Stars' stud goalie still recorded an admirable .905 clip and 2.72 goals against average in 54 games for the Central Division winners. He also posted 35 wins, just two shy of the career high he established in 2022-23 when he made eight more starts. Oettinger will undoubtedly finish higher in next year's rankings if he's able to stay healthy.

2023-24 rank: 76

Even as Letang ages closer to 40, he's still one of the most reliable offensive defensemen in the NHL. The 37-year-old produced 51 points, including 10 goals, along with favorable underlying numbers last season. He did have one of the worst expected goals against totals in the league, but that's never been the veteran blue-liner's forte.

2023-24 rank: 82

Caufield has yet to push for a "Rocket" Richard Trophy after a dynamic start to his career, but the Montreal Canadiens winger is still an elite scoring threat with an outstanding release. It shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone when the breakout season inevitably comes.

2023-24 rank: NR

Hanifin doesn't do anything amazing, but he does just about everything really well. His 6-foot-3 frame, smooth skating ability, and overall poise make him a player that can be relied upon in any situation - a coach's dream.

2023-24 rank: 88

Horvat achieved his third straight 30-goal campaign last season and fired a career-high 248 shots on net. He put aside concerns over his 2022-23 production on Long Island (seven goals in 30 games after he was traded) by matching the 30-goal output he's established as his benchmark.

2023-24 rank: NR

O'Reilly's first season in Nashville was a smashing success. He recorded 26 goals and 69 points while appearing in all 82 contests, good for his best offensive output since he tallied a career-high 77 points in 2018-19. O'Reilly might fare even better in his sophomore campaign with the Predators thanks to their high-profile offseason.

2023-24 rank: 48

Much like the Pittsburgh Penguins' other aging stars, Malkin is still contributing - though certainly not at the level of the captain or the aforementioned Letang. Malkin is 38, but he scored 27 goals for the second straight campaign last season while also matching his previous average ice time (18:35). That underscores that the Russian is still dependable - even if he's not at the elite level he was at over a decade ago.

2023-24 rank: NR

Ekholm flies under the radar on an Edmonton Oilers team full of stars, but he's an indispensable piece of the reigning Western Conference champions. He instantly transformed the team's blue line after arriving in a 2023 trade and is a rock on the top pairing who averages over 20 minutes per contest.

2023-24 rank: NR

There isn't enough discussion about just how impressive Kane's 2023-24 season was. Coming off hip resurfacing surgery - a procedure from which no NHLer had successfully returned - and without a training camp under his belt, Kane produced 47 points in 50 games as a 35-year-old. It's clear No. 88 still has plenty of game left.

2023-24 rank: 81

Rielly remains the Toronto Maple Leafs' workhorse defenseman. He averaged nearly 24 minutes a night last season while playing both special teams and was one of the team's only blue-liners who created offense. He also set a career high in blocks (137) and matched his career mark in hits (98).

2023-24 rank: NR

The Detroit Red Wings showed their belief in Seider's ability to grow into a franchise cornerstone by signing the 23-year-old to a seven-year, $59.85-million extension this offseason. It's easy to see why they have so much faith in the young defenseman. Seider has yet to miss an NHL game across three seasons despite his heavy workload, and he led the Red Wings in average ice time (22:22), hits (211), and blocks (212) in 2023-24.

2023-24 rank: 62

Lindholm came back down to Earth last season, producing about half (26) of the career-high 53 points he collected in 2022-23. But the Boston Bruins defenseman isn't just relied upon for offense. He's a skilled defender who ranked 37th in the NHL last season in goals against per 60 minutes among those with at least 800 five-on-five minutes played.

2023-24 rank: 60

An injury-riddled season pushed Pietrangelo back in this year's rankings, but he's still one of the game's premier defenders. He'll be firmly in the mix for big minutes on Canada's blue line at the NHL's upcoming international tournaments.

2023-24 rank: NR

Weegar has long been an analytical darling, but he put it all together for his most productive season ever in 2023-24, recording 20 goals and 32 assists. He also set personal bests with 200 blocks and 194 hits. Capable of playing both sides with ease, Weegar is as versatile as they come on the back end.

2023-24 rank: 98

Eriksson Ek is coming off his best offensive season in which he reached the 30-goal mark for the first time and received Selke Trophy votes for the fourth straight year. He's finished in the top 10 for the award each season in that span.

2023-24 rank: NR

Hagel continued to raise his ceiling for the Tampa Bay Lightning last season, establishing new career highs in assists (49), points (75), and games played (82). Sixty-six of his points came at even strength, good for second most on the team behind Nikita Kucherov. A constant threat on the ice, Hagel generated an impressive 71 individual high-danger chances at five-on-five in 2023-24.

2023-24 rank: NR

Werenski is as consistent as they come. The Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman established career highs in assists (46) and points (57) last season despite the club's struggles, and his average ice time (24:27) ranked 15th in the league. He's bound to improve, too, as he's still entering his prime at the age of 27.

2023-24 rank: 80

Kempe doesn't get the exposure he deserves as a West Coast player, but he's quietly become one of the league's most productive wingers. Despite a drop from 41 to 28 goals last season, the 28-year-old set a career high with a team-leading 75 points.

2023-24 rank: NR

Jarvis was heavily relied upon by Rod Brind'Amour last season. He excelled on scoring lines, checking lines, led Carolina's forwards in power-play minutes, and was second in shorthanded minutes. He also finished second on the team in goals (33) and points (67).

2023-24 rank: 34

Ovechkin tumbles down the list after his scoring rate dropped below 40 goals for the first time since 2017. Ovi had just eight goals past the midway part of last season but found his form in the back half, scoring at a 50-goal pace in his last 36 games with 23 tallies. He's a flawed player at this stage, but he can still put the biscuit in the basket. The Gretzky goal record watch kicks into high gear this season.

2023-24 rank: NR

If it wasn't for some kid named Connor Bedard, Faber would have undoubtedly won the Calder Trophy last season for his stellar rookie campaign. The 22-year-old rearguard averaged 24:58 minutes per contest - sixth highest in the league - and recorded a respectable 47 points in 82 outings. Faber's campaign is even more impressive given that he played with broken ribs for the last two months of the season.

2023-24 rank: NR

Faber's teammate would've likely notched 30 goals last season had he not missed six games. Boldy finished with 29 goals and 40 assists in his third NHL campaign after posting 31 tallies and 32 helpers across 81 games in his second season. Just like Faber, the 23-year-old is a big part of the Wild's future.

2023-24 rank: NR

Raymond electrified last season with 31 goals and 72 points, arriving as a focal point of Detroit's offense. Now it's time to see if he can take another leap and live up to the big-ticket contract he signed over the offseason.

2023-24 rank: 86

Death, taxes, and Kreider scoring big goals. The power forward found twine 24 times in 43 games over the last three postseason, which ranks fourth in the NHL behind Zach Hyman, Leon Draisaitl, and Connor McDavid - all of whom played 53 games in that span. Kreider added a playmaking element to his game in 2023-24, registering a career-high 36 assists.

2023-24 rank: NR

Marchessault won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2023 but didn't reach 30 goals or 60 points during the regular season and ultimately missed out on our last top 100. But he's here after his first 40-goal campaign. Only five players scored more than his 34 even-strength goals last season. Steven Stamkos is the Predators' big-name add, but don't overlook the impact Marchessault can have in Nashville.

2023-24 rank: NR

Boeser was one of the best feel-good stories in the league last season, rebounding beautifully after a tough 2022-23 campaign in which he was coping with the death of his father. While rediscovering his love for the game, Boeser totaled a career-best 40 goals and 73 points in 81 outings, putting to bed those pesky trade rumors that plagued him one year prior.

2023-24 rank: NR

Johnston took another step forward last season, exceeding 30 goals (32) and 30 assists (33) while playing all 82 games for the second time in his two-year career. The 21-year-old forward worked his way up in the lineup and is now a bona fide top-liner after proving he can thrive regardless of who he plays alongside. The youngster does a little bit of everything, including killing penalties.

2023-24 rank: 73

Scheifele doesn't post spectacular numbers but consistently hovers around a point per game while fulfilling top-line center duties for the Winnipeg Jets. Since becoming a full-time NHLer, he's notched 716 points in 786 games across 11 seasons.

2023-24 rank: NR

Konecny is a nightmare to play against. He's feisty, tenacious, and competitive, embodying everything that John Tortorella's Philadelphia Flyers want to be. He's also highly talented and reached the 30-goal mark for the second straight season in 2023-24.

(Analytics source: Natural Stat Trick)

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