- NHL Network revealed Nos. 50-41 of its Top 50 Players Right Now list on Sunday
- Connor Bedard came in at No. 44, with Charlie McAvoy the highest of the group at No. 41
- Read below for the full 50-41 rundown and the numbers behind each ranking
NHL Network started working through the actual Top 50 on Sunday, and Connor Bedard turned up at No. 44 with Charlie McAvoy nine spots ahead of him at No. 41.
Nos. 50-41 went public in the fifth installment of a nine-part series, according to NHL.com. Researchers, producers and on-air personalities built the list.
Bedard cracked it on the back of 75 points (30 goals, 45 assists) in 75 games, his first 30-goal season. The 21-year-old has led Chicago in scoring in each of his three years and sits at 203 points in 219 career games. He signed a five-year, $75 million deal with the Blackhawks on July 18.
McAvoy topped the batch after the best offensive year of his career. His 61 points (11 goals, 50 assists) in 69 games were the most by a Bruins defenseman since Ray Bourque put up 82 in 1995-96, and his 23 power-play points were the most in Boston since Torey Krug had 28 in 2019-20.
A puck to the face on Nov. 15 knocked him out for 11 games. He still blocked 129 shots, second on the roster, and won Olympic gold with Team USA in February.
One spot behind McAvoy sits his own goalie. Jeremy Swayman landed at No. 42 as the first netminder to appear on this year’s countdown, coming off a 31-18-4 season with a 2.71 goals-against average, a .908 save percentage and two shutouts in 55 games.
His 38 starts of at least a .900 save percentage led the league, and he was a Vezina Trophy finalist. NHL Network already ranked him among its top 10 goalies earlier this month.
Here is how the whole group shook out:
| # | Player | Team | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | Wyatt Johnston, C | Stars | 45G, 41A, 86P |
| 49 | Martin Necas, F | Avalanche | 38G, 62A, 100P |
| 48 | Sam Reinhart, F | Panthers | 29G, 32A, 61P |
| 47 | Brandon Hagel, F | Lightning | 36 goals |
| 46 | Brayden Point, C | Lightning | 18G, 32A, 50P in 63 GP |
| 45 | Jaccob Slavin, D | Hurricanes | Stanley Cup champion |
| 44 | Connor Bedard, C | Blackhawks | 30G, 45A, 75P |
| 43 | Nico Hischier, C | Devils | 28G, 38A, 66P |
| 42 | Jeremy Swayman, G | Bruins | 31-18-4, 2.71 GAA, .908 |
| 41 | Charlie McAvoy, D | Bruins | 11G, 50A, 61P |
Boston is the only team with two players in the group. Tampa Bay got Hagel and Point back to back at 47 and 46.
Four installments are left. Nos. 40-31 come next, and the top 10 lands before opening night.
