Leading up to the start of the 2018-19 season, theScore will be counting down the top 100 players in the game today, as voted on by four of our NHL editors.
100-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1
100. Matt Murray, Penguins
Wegman | O'Leary | Gold-Smith | Hagerman |
---|---|---|---|
NR | 94 | 99 | 91 |
Murray faced some adversity last season in his debut test as the Pittsburgh Penguins' true starter, but the 24-year-old has established himself as one of the league's premier netminders on the strength of a .923 career postseason save percentage and two Stanley Cup rings. -- O'Leary
99. Aaron Ekblad, Panthers
Wegman | O'Leary | Gold-Smith | Hagerman |
---|---|---|---|
NR | NR | 98 | 84 |
In just four NHL seasons, Ekblad has already emerged as one of the most well-rounded defenders in the game. His 16 goals last season tied for the second most among all defensemen league-wide, and he also logged the most minutes on the penalty kill of any Panthers blue-liner. -- Hagerman
98. Devan Dubnyk, Wild
Wegman | O'Leary | Gold-Smith | Hagerman |
---|---|---|---|
93 | NR | NR | 88 |
Since 2014-15, Dubnyk has cemented himself as one of the NHL's best goaltenders, posting a .922 save percentage and a 2.30 goals-against average in that span. Last season wasn't necessarily his best campaign, but any team would take a .918 save percentage from its netminder in an "off year." -- Wegman
97. Jonathan Huberdeau, Panthers
Wegman | O'Leary | Gold-Smith | Hagerman |
---|---|---|---|
NR | 96 | 94 | 87 |
Huberdeau is one of the league's most overlooked playmakers, as he uses his exceptional hand-eye coordination to generate scoring chances and convert them consistently. He poured in a career-high 27 goals and 42 assists last season while playing in all 82 games for the first time, and the six-year veteran is still only 25, so don't be surprised if he keeps improving. -- Gold-Smith
96. Viktor Arvidsson, Predators
Wegman | O'Leary | Gold-Smith | Hagerman |
---|---|---|---|
99 | 84 | 92 | NR |
Arvidsson has scored 60 goals with 62 assists over the last two years. A fourth-round pick in 2014, the 5-foot-9 speedster plays with the high motor you'd expect from a late-round pick. The winger is also one of the league's best penalty killers, having scored more shorthanded goals (eight) than any other player over the past two seasons. -- Wegman
95. Morgan Rielly, Maple Leafs
Wegman | O'Leary | Gold-Smith | Hagerman |
---|---|---|---|
96 | 83 | 97 | 100 |
Rielly's game elevated to new heights in 2017-18, as he racked up a career-high 52 points, including 25 on the power play. And at five-on-five, he fared relatively well against opponents' top lines, driving possession at a 50.84 percent rate despite starting the bulk of his shifts in the defensive zone, per Corsica. -- Wegman
94. Brayden Schenn, Blues
Wegman | O'Leary | Gold-Smith | Hagerman |
---|---|---|---|
94 | NR | 93 | 85 |
A proven scorer and a versatile two-way center, Schenn drove possession (54.63) and posted 70 points while logging more average ice time than Evgeni Malkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov in his first season with the St. Louis Blues. He should continue to grow in 2018-19, especially considering the Blues' new additions. -- Gold-Smith
93. Alexander Radulov, Stars
Wegman | O'Leary | Gold-Smith | Hagerman |
---|---|---|---|
NR | 97 | 95 | 66 |
After joining the Stars last offseason, Radulov helped form one of the top trios in the NHL alongside Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin. He has all the tools to be a lethal point producer and averaged the second-most points per 60 minutes on the club at five-on-five, behind only Benn. -- Hagerman
92. Charlie McAvoy, Bruins
Wegman | O'Leary | Gold-Smith | Hagerman |
---|---|---|---|
88 | 88 | 88 | 90 |
In just one NHL season, McAvoy proved he has all the tools to eventually challenge for a Norris Trophy. He has a smooth stride, is a strong defender, and above all else, he's an elite offensive player. The 20-year-old finished fifth in Calder Trophy voting last season despite missing 19 games due to injury. -- Hagerman
91. Shea Weber, Canadiens
Wegman | O'Leary | Gold-Smith | Hagerman |
---|---|---|---|
65 | 98 | 86 | 98 |
Weber could be on the shelf until mid-December, but he's an anchor on the blue line when healthy. With an accurate, blistering point shot and undeniable power-play quarterbacking abilities, the veteran is still an impact player, even at his age. -- Gold-Smith
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