Across the NHL, three players consistently stand out, ranking in the league’s top three for scoring: Nathan MacKinnon, Nikita Kucherov, and Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers. They are currently the best because of their skill, hockey sense, speed, and offensive talent.
All these guys are naturally gifted at hockey and are special in understanding the game on another level compared to anyone else in the NHL. While McDavid is still regarded as the best player in the world, let it be known that these other players may think differently about that, and if I am being honest, it may actually be true.
Although Macklin Celebrini has not yet reached the league’s elite status in scoring, I will include him here to highlight his rising profile and potential to join this group soon. I am going to give a case for each one of Celebrini, MacKinnon, Kucherov, and, of course, McDavid.
Let us see what kind of debate this brings up.
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The case for Macklin Celebrini
Macklin Celebrini has been taking the NHL by storm. He was the fourth player from NCAA men’s college hockey chosen at #1 in the NHL draft, and first since Buffalo Sabres defenceman Owen Power in 2021. The USHL Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Forward of the Year in 2022–23, had his rookie season delayed by missing 12 games with an injury. Celebrini has not missed a beat since returning and is even off to a better career start than his fellow Canadian, Connor McDavid.
In 68 games through his sophomore season, Macklin has amassed 35 goals and 61 assists for 96 points. Four points away from his first 100-point season, he would be the second teenager since McDavid to hit the 100-point milestone in only his second season. McDavid accomplished this back in the 2016–17 season when he hit 100 points with 30 goals and 70 assists in 82 games. Because of what Celebrini has been able to do, statistically, he is off to a better start to his career than McDavid. He could even maybe be considered better if he makes it into the playoffs, wins the Hart Trophy, and makes it further than the Oilers in the playoffs.
Realistically, Celebrini is a ways away from being considered better than McDavid, but his future is looking very bright; when you look at the team that he is currently playing for (San Jose Sharks), it is only up from here. I believe that the NHL needs to watch out, because in a couple of years, once their young players develop, the Sharks are bound to be one of the best teams in the league.
The case for Nathan MacKinnon
The guy that needs no introduction, Nathan MacKinnon, has been an offensive machine and has been very consistent by putting up stellar numbers over his last nine seasons. Since 2017–18, he has put up seven 90-point campaigns, four straight 100-point seasons, and four campaigns with 40+ goals. In that span, he has won a Stanley Cup (2021–22), a Hart Memorial Trophy (2023–24), a Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (2019–20), and a Ted Lindsay Award in 2023–24.
When you compare McDavid’s last four years to Nate’s, McDavid has 160 goals and 341 assists for a total of 501 points in only 296 games, with this season not even being completed yet. MacKinnon, on the other hand, has 170 goals and 311 assists for a total of 481 points in exactly 300 games, with 13 more games to be played. MacKinnon has dominated McDavid on the plus-minus side of things with +146 compared to only +85. Yes, the Colorado Avalanche are the best team in the league this season, but MacKinnon has been on the ice for way fewer goals against over the last four years.
Edmonton has made two straight Stanley Cup Finals, with both losses happening at the hands of the Florida Panthers, while Colorado has only made it as far as the Conference Semi-Finals (second round). McDavid has won five individual awards over the past four seasons, to MacKinnon’s two, and it seems like MacKinnon has a bit more to do before he can be considered a better player than McDavid.
The case for Nikita Kucherov
Dominance is the only word that I can think of for this player—not because of what he has been able to accomplish this season, but just in general, dating back to 2016–17. Let us look at his stats; over his last nine career seasons, Nikita Kucherov has put up six 100-point campaigns with four in a row, four years with 40+ goals, and one year with 100 assists.
In this span, Kucherov has won every single one of his individual awards, including two Stanley Cups (back-to-back in 2020 and 2021), three Art Ross Trophies, one Hart Memorial Trophy, and two Ted Lindsay Awards. This is basically McDavid’s entire career, but over the past nine years, he has amassed 1,150 points (383 goals and 767 assists) compared to Kucherov’s 964 points (329 goals and 635 assists).
When you look at the past three campaigns for both of these players, Nikita Kucherov is well on his way to winning his third straight Art Ross Trophy. This season has been nothing short of spectacular for him and has been dominated since the calendar flipped to 2026. Since January 1, Kucherov has made it look easy with the numbers that he has been racking up. In only 30 games, we have seen 22 goals and 46 assists for a total of 68 points. It is a video game, right? Nope, just an NHL superstar averaging 2.27 points per game in 2026, and we are only three months in.
Kucherov has been the better player over McDavid since 2023–24, and yet, he just does not seem to get the recognition that he very well deserves. When you are up against players like McDavid, MacKinnon, and Celebrini, you may get overlooked in the sense of individual awards and accomplishments. Kucherov has been better than McDavid, and honestly, this is the guy who should be considered the best player in the world. I mean, look at what he has been doing.
The case for Connor McDavid
Little has to be said about Connor McDavid, except that he is the best player on the planet and will continue to hold that title unless the league players and coaches decide to change their minds. According to the media, especially TSN, McDavid will continue to be that guy in their eyes, and I wonder why. Go Canada Go! Hockey is Canada’s game, and it is mostly because of the percentage of NHL players who are Canadians, but also because of all of the greatest players who are Canadian as well.
As of the 2025–2026 NHL season, approximately 40.6% to 42% of NHL players are Canadian, maintaining Canada’s position as the largest single nationality in the league. Data from opening-day rosters showed 304 Canadian-born players out of 726 total players.
– The Hockey Writers
Is it time for the NHL to accept the fact that there may be a new best player? Or will Connor McDavid continue to hold that title? Let us know what you think.
Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire
