TOP 50 PLAYERS
Spoiler: show50. Evgeny Kuznetsov
49. John Carlson
48. Max Pacioretty
47. Oliver Ekman-Larsson
46. Marc-Andre Fleury
45. Corey Crawford
44. Jakub Voracek
43. Ryan McDonagh
42. Brent Seabrook
41. Alex Pietrangelo
40. Kris Letang
39. Joe Thornton
38. Roman Josi
37. Kevin Shattenkirk
36. Mark Giordano
35. Patrice Bergeron
34. Johnny Gaudreau
33. Taylor Hall
32. Pekka Rinne
31. Dustin Byfuglien
30. Claude Giroux
29. Corey Schneider
28. Corey Perry
27. P.K. Subban
26. Marc-Edouard Vlasic
25. Nicklas Backstrom
24. Ryan Getzlaf
23. Joe Pavelski
22. Henrik Lundqvist
21. Tyler Seguin
20. Victor Hedman
19. Brent Burns
18. Braden Holtby
17. Erik Karlsson
16. Jonathan Quick
15. Ryan Suter
14. Evgeni Malkin
13. John Tavares
12. Duncan Keith
11. Vladimir Tarasenko
10. Anze Kopitar
9. Carey Price
8. Steven Stamkos
7. Shea Weber
6. Jonathan Toews
5. Alex Ovechkin
4. Drew Doughty
3. Patrick Kane
2. Jamie Benn
1. Sidney Crosby
TOP 10 CENTERS
Spoiler: show10. Claude Giroux – 91 overall
One of the most creative offensive players in the league, Giroux uses his 5-star stating ability to separate himself from defenders and is capable of stickhandling himself out of tight situations with a (93) Deke & (94) Puck Control rating.
9. Nicklas Backstrom – 91 overall
Over the past ten season, Nicklas Backstrom has proven himself to be one of the best pure playmakers of his generation. His (94) Passing and (94) Puck Control make him one of the best setup men in NHL®17.
8. Ryan Getzlaf – 91 overall
The hulking Anaheim Ducks captain uses his 5-star physical abilities and puck skills to shield the puck from his opponents until a scoring opportunity presents itself. Getzlaf is always thinking pass first, but is still capable of going bar down with a (91) Slap Shot Power & (90) Wrist Shot Power rating.
7. Tyler Seguin - 92 overall
A prolific point producer throughout his entire hockey career, Tyler Seguin will be looking to reach the 40 goal make for the first time next season. As long as he can stay healthy, it will be tough to bet against him as he is one of the best finishers in the league with a (93) Wrist Shot Power & (92) Wrist Shot Accuracy rating.
6. Evgeni Malkin – 93 overall
Malkin’s rare combination of size, speed and skill has helped him produce at over a point-per-game pace the past five seasons. The only knock against him is that he can’t stay healthy for an entire season, luckily for Penguins fans, they can just turn off injuries in NHL®17 to watch Geno climb to the top of the scoring leaders.
5. John Tavares – 93 overall
He won’t rank near the top of the league in skating ability, but his 5-star puck skills, shooting and senses more than make up for his lack of speed. All Tavares needs is a bit of open space and a little bit of time, and there’s a good chance the puck will end up in the back of the net.
4. Anze Kopitar – 93 overall
After leading the LA Kings in team scoring for the past nine seasons, Anze Kopitar became the first LA Kings forward to win the Selke Trophy as the league’s top defensive forward.
3. Steven Stamkos – 94 overall
One of the top offensive players in NHL®17, the two-time Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard Trophy winner possesses 5-star Puck Skills, Skating, Senses and Shooting.
2. Jonathan Toews – 94 overall
Although Toews hasn’t been a point-per-game player since the 2012-13 season, he brings other elements to a team that don’t necessarily show up on the scoresheet. The two-way center is a strong skater who is tough to knock off the puck, has excellent defensive awareness and stick checking to go along with an excellent shot.
1. Sidney Crosby – 95 overall
Once again Sidney Crosby finds himself ranked as our top rated center, and it’s tough to make a case against him. Coming off another impressive regular season, he elevated his game in the playoffs leading the Penguins to another Stanley Cup. He can beat you with his world class shot, passing, speed, physicality and hockey sense – he’s simply the best hockey player on the planet.
TOP 10 LEFT WINGERS
Spoiler: show10. Alex Steen – 88 overall
The veteran winger for the St. Louis Blues is an excellent two-way forward who can play first line minutes.
9. Gabriel Landeskog – 88 overall
The 2011-12 Calder Trophy winner has developed into one of the league’s premier power forwards. He should continue to average between 50-60 points throughout his career while also bringing a physical element to the ice every night.
8. Filip Forsberg – 88 overall
A star on the rise, the Nashville Predators will be leaning on Forsberg to be their offensive leader for the next few years.
7. Daniel Sedin – 88 overall
Not blessed with explosive speed or a booming shot, Daniel Sedin uses his hockey sense and outstanding playmaking ability with his brother Henrik to creating scoring chances for the Vancouver Canucks.
6. Zach Parise – 89 overall
The Minnesota Wild star winger is a heart and soul player who scores big goals in both the NHL and international competition. He boasts 5-star puck skills, skating and senses and is also responsible on defense with a (88) Defensive Awareness rating.
5. Max Pacioretty – 89 overall
The four-time 30 goal scorer and Montreal Canadiens’ captain possesses an excellent shot with a (90) Slap Shot Power, Wrist Shot Power and Wrist Shot Accuracy rating.
4. Johnny Gaudreau – 90 overall
Size doesn’t matter to Johnny Hockey as the shifty winger uses his excellent Agility (94) and 5-star puck skills to slip away from defenders. Still only 22 years old, Gaudreau has the skillset to be near the top of league in scoring for the foreseeable future.
3. Taylor Hall – 90 overall
One of the best skaters in the league, Hall can use his (95) rated Speed to drive hard to the net and create scoring changes for himself and his teammates. The New Jersey Devils will hope he can stay Durable (83) next year, as they will be leaning on him to lead their offense.
2. Alex Ovechkin – 94 overall
One of the greatest goal scorers in NHL history, Alex Ovechkin is a threat to score 50+ goals every season. His (94) rated Slap Shot Power and Accuracy allows him to score from almost anywhere in the offensive zone.
1. Jamie Benn – 94 overall
After back-to-back 80+ points campaigns including an Art Ross Trophy victory, Jamie Benn has emerged as our top rated left winger in NHL 17. Benn’s combination of size and skill is nearly unstoppable, as he is one of the only players in NHL 17 to have 5-star ratings in all rating categories (Puck skills, shooting, skating, senses and physical ability).
TOP 10 RIGHT WINGERS
Spoiler: show10. James Neal – 88 overall
Strong on the puck and in the corners, James Neal is a prototypical NHL power forward. He also owns a very hard (90) and accurate (90) wrist shot which should put him in contention for 30+ goals every year.
9. Nikita Kucherov – 88 overall
Now a 30 goal scorer, Kucherov may be a player who shoots up these rankings in the years to come. He owns a very accurate Wrist Shot (91) and has the Speed (90) to burn defenders one-on-one or wide. He has also proven to produce during crunch time, as he put up 19 points in 17 games during the 2016 playoffs.
8. Marian Hossa – 88 overall
The Blackhawks winger has been a force on the wing for the past decade. Although he has lost some of the speed that made him a big time point producer in his early years, he has evolved into a great two-way player, apparent by his 5-star defense rating.
7. Blake Wheeler – 89 overall
A physical mismatch for many defenders, the Winnipeg power forward uses his (90) Strength, (90) Balance and (90) Puck Control to drive to the net and create scoring chances.
6. Phil Kessel – 89 overall
The feel good story of the year, Phil Kessel is now a Stanley Cup Champion! He played major role in the Pittsburgh Penguins’ playoff run as he used his (93) Speed and wicked Wrist Shot Power (90) and Accuracy (90) to score timely goals for the Pens.
5. Jakub Voracek – 90 overall
An outstanding playmaker, Voracek creates scoring opportunities using his (91) Passing and (91) Puck Control skills.
4. Corey Perry – 91 overall
The former Hart Trophy winner may have taken a small step back the past couple of years, but he is still without a doubt one of the best all-round wingers in the game. He has a rare combination of skill and grit, evident by his 5-star puck skills, shooting, senses and physical ratings.
3. Joe Pavelski – 91 overall
The San Jose Sharks captain has been one of the most overlooked superstars in the NHL; over the past three years only Alex Ovechkin has scored more goals than Joe Pavelski. He is an excellent two-way player who produces in the clutch thanks to his all-star caliber shot and elite Hand-Eye (92) which he uses to deflect pucks in front of the net with ease.
2. Vladimir Tarasenko – 93 overall
The young Russian followed up his impressive 2014-15 season with a 40 goal campaign that saw him finish twelfth in league scoring. Tarasenko is a strong, explosive player who utilizes his Speed (92), Strength (87) and lethal Wrist shot Accuracy (94) to score at a high rate.
1. Patrick Kane – 94 overall
The 2016 Hart Trophy winner is the top rated right winger in NHL 17. In terms of pure skill, no one may have a more impressive skill set than Patrick Kane. His shooting attributes rank at the top of the NHL with a (95) Slap Shot & Wrist Shot Accuracy rating, he has speed to burn with a (95) Acceleration and Agility rating, and his hands are second to none with a (96) Deking, Hand-Eye, Passing and Puck Control rating.
TOP 10 GOALIES
Spoiler: show10. Ben Bishop – 89 overall
Coming in at 6’7, Ben Bishop doesn’t leave a lot of empty net for shooters to target, he also has very good puck Vision (90) and Rebound Control (90). You should also reconsider dumping the puck into his zone, as his Passing (86) ability is one of the best in the league for goaltenders.
9. Tuukka Rask – 89 overall
Since taking over the starting job for the Boston Bruins, Tuukka Rask has consistently been near the top of our goalie rankings. He has elite Agility (90) and Speed (90) to go along with his 5-star Reflexes.
8. Marc-Andre Fleury – 90 overall
Before going down with injury last year, the former first overall pick was putting together one of the best seasons with a stat line of 35 wins, 2.29 GAA and .921 SV%. Like Rask, Fleury is one of the most athletic goalies in the league and boasts a (90) Agility and (90) Speed rating.
7. Corey Crawford – 90 overall
The two time Stanley Cup Champion plays at his best in the most critical situations, earning himself a (90) Poise rating.
6. Pekka Rinne – 91 overall
One of the biggest goalies in the league, Rinne uses his size and 5-star athletic ability to take away scoring areas for shooters.
5. Cory Schneider– 91 overall
One of the most underrated players in the entire league, Schneider relies on his excellent technique, positioning and Angles (92) to make a save.
4. Henrik Lundqvist – 92 overall
At 34 years old, King Henrik is at the tail end of his career which has seen him be one of the best goaltenders of the last ten years. With a (91) Stick Low and Five Hole rating, Lundqvist plays deep in his crease and challenges shooters to beat him up high.
3. Braden Holtby – 92 overall
The 2016 Vezina Trophy winner has proven himself as one of the NHL’s very best goaltenders with back-to-back 40+ win seasons. He is very difficult to beat along the ice, as he carries a (91) Five Hole, (91) Stick Low, and (90) Glove Low rating.
2. Jonathan Quick – 93 overall
The LA Kings goaltender is extremely Aggressive (94) between the pipes as he will challenge shooters at the top of his crease to cut off shooting angles. If he ever gets caught out of position, he can leverage his world class Speed (92) and Agility (92) to get back into the play and make a highlight-reel save.
1. Carey Price – 93 overall
Price is the type of goaltender who can singlehandedly carry his team through the regular season and playoffs. His technique is nearly flawless and he is rarely out of position. His (93) Angles and (93) Vision rating are top in the league, and like Ben Bishop he is one of the best puck handling goalies, boasting a (86) Passing rating.
TOP 10 DEFENSEMAN
Spoiler: show10. Dustin Byfuglien – 91 overall
At 6’5 and 260 lbs, Dustin Byfuglien lives up to the nickname of Big Buff. He skates very well for a man of his size and uses his Strength (95) and Balance (95) so outmuscle opponents in the offensive and defensive zone. He also has a bomb from the point, with a (93) Slap Shot Power rating.
9. P.K. Subban – 91 overall
The newly acquired Nashville Predator is one of the most dynamic offensive talents in the NHL. Subban is able to create scoring opportunities thanks in large part to his 5-star skating ability and heavy (91) Slap Shot Power rating. He also has the ability to land devastating hits with a (89) Body Checking rating.
8. Marc-Edouard Vlasic – 91 overall
The 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs helped establish Marc-Edouard Vlasic as one of the best defensive defenseman in the league. He isn’t flashy, but his (93) Stick Checking, (90) Shot Blocking and (93) Defensive Awareness ratings are invaluable for teams looking to hold onto a tight lead.
7. Victor Hedman – 92 overall
Still only 25 years old, the big Swede is just entering his prime and is already an elite two-way defenseman. He possesses excellent shutdown skills with a (91) Stick Checking and (91) Shot Blocking rating to go along with high-end pucks skills, including a (89) Passing and (89) Puck Control rating.
6. Brent Burns – 92 overall
Burns is coming off the best season of his career which saw him put up 27 goals, 48 assists and 75 points in 82 games. He is one of the most complete defenders in NHL 17, with 5-star puck skills, shooting, defense and physical ability.
5. Erik Karlsson – 92 overall
Over the past five seasons, Erik Karlsson has been the league’s most prolific offensive defenseman. He leads all NHL 17 defenseman with a (94) Agility/Acceleration rating and (95) Passing/Puck Control rating. The only thing keeping him from being our top rated defenseman is his physical game which comes in at 3 out of 5 stars.
4. Ryan Suter – 93 overall
Suter is a workhorse on the backend with a (90) Endurance rating as he always finishes near the top of the league for time-on-ice. He impacts all areas of the ice and has 5-star puck skills, skating, senses and defense.
3. Duncan Keith – 93 overall
At 33 years old, Keith is still ranks in the top 3 for defenseman in NHL 17. The three-time Stanley Cup Champion and two-time Norris Trophy winner will be a sure fire Hall of Famer when his career is all said and done.
2. Shea Weber – 94 overall
With 5-star senses, defense and physical ability, Shea Weber strikes fear into his opponent’s every time he steps onto the ice. He can overpower players in front of the net with his (93) Strength and (92) Body Checking rating. In the offensive zone, he possesses the heaviest shot in NHL 17, with a (95) Slap Shot Power rating.
1. Drew Doughty – 94 overall
Coming off his first Norris Trophy win, Drew Doughty is the top rated defenseman in NHL 17. He is a big time minute muncher with a (92) Endurance rating and can have an impact in all three zones with 5-star puck skills, skating, senses and defense.
WORLD CUP OF HOCKEY TEAM RANKINGS
Spoiler: show1. Team Canada – 99 OVERALL
Offense:100
Defense: 100
Goaltending: 95
To say their roster is deep is a vast understatement. Team Canada boasts some of the league’s biggest stars at the most critical positions on the ice, and they have proven to be capable of putting their egos aside for the betterment of the team. Every line is adept of scoring in bunches and with the top defense and goalie pairing the tournament, it’s tough to bet against the home team.
2. Team USA – 96 OVERALL
Offense: 98
Defense: 97
Goaltending: 95
With the selection of Justin Abdelkader and Brandon Dubinsky over skilled players like Phil Kessel and Tyler Johnson it seems as if Team USA has decided to build a team with physicality rather than going with simply the best player available. It looks like their plan could be to deploy two offensive units, followed by lines of speed and grit to wear down their opponents.
3. Team Sweden – 95 OVERALL
Offense: 95
Defense: 97
Goaltending: 94
A defensive unit that includes superstars Erik Karlsson, Victor Hedman and Oliver Ekman-Larsson gives Team Sweden a significant advantage over their competition, with Team Canada maybe being the only exception.
4. Team Russia – 92 OVERALL
Offense: 96
Defense: 90
Goaltending: 90
Speed and skill is once again the strength for Team Russia going into this tournament. With proven point producers like Alex Ovechkin, Vladimir Tarasenko, Evgeni Malkin, Artemi Panarin and Nikita Kucherov scoring goals should not be an issue. The only problem is if that elite offensive group gets pinned in their defensive zone with a less than stellar defensive group led by the likes of Alexei Emelin and Dmitry Kulikov.
5. Team Europe – 92 OVERALL
Offense: 94
Defense: 92
Goaltending: 90
There are multiple Stanley Cup Champions on this roster including Anze Kopitar, Marian Hossa and Zdeno Chara, so coming up clutch on the biggest stage shouldn’t be too foreign for this club. The question is, will they be motivated enough by playing for their continent instead of their country?
6. Team North America – 92 OVERALL
Offense: 96
Defense: 93
Goaltending: 85
Much like the Edmonton Oilers of the past four years, the talent is there, but will they be able to put it all together to make a sustainable run in this tournament? Either way, watching the likes of Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel and Auston Matthews team up will make for must see TV.
7. Team Finland – 90 OVERALL
Offense: 92
Defense: 89
Goaltending: 94
Aleksander Barkov and Patrik Laine are undoubtedly the future of Finnish hockey, but we’ll likely have to wait another four years before they reach their peak. Until then, Finland lacks a true superstar talent capable of carrying them through the tournament - so they’ll have to do what they always do, win close games and outwork their opponents.
8. Team Czech Republic – 89 OVERALL
Offense: 91
Defense: 88
Goaltending: 88
Defense and goaltending are major question mark here; it will likely take a superhuman performance from Detroit Red Wings goaltender Petr Mrazek for the Czech Republic to make any noise in this tournament.
