The best current NHL players are not just the league-leading skaters and goaltenders in the league right now but also some of the best hockey players in the world. These players are consistently leading their teams in statistical categories and in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
As the NHL's golden child and fan favorite NHL player, Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins is seen by many as the best current NHL player. The young star quickly made his mark in the league by leading the Penguins to the Stanley Cup Championship in 2009 at the age of 21, the youngest captain to ever do so. He had a little help though with Evgeni Malkin, who also makes this list, serving as the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as the MVP of the playoffs.
But there are many more great current NHL players in the league besides those playing in Pittsburgh. Steven Stamkos, Alexander Giroux, Alexander Ovechkin, Pavel Datsyuk, Zdeno Chara and Jonathan Toews are all among the elite forwards and defensemen in the NHL right now. In net, Henrik Lundqvist, Jonathan Quick and Jimmy Howard are seen as the top NHL goaltenders right now.
Who do you think are the top NHL players in the league right now? The better question might be will these current hockey players be remembered among the best NHL players of all time? Have your say and vote for your favorites for the 2018-2019 season, add those not listed or re-rank this list of the best current NHL players!
1
5,511867Connor Mcdavid
CenterBirthplace: Newmarket, Canada
2
7,1874,120Sidney Crosby
CentermanBirthplace: Halifax, Halifax Regional Municipality, Canada
Nationality: Canada
- 32,5861,492
Nathan MacKinnon
CenterBirthplace: Halifax Regional Municipality, Canada
Nationality: Canada
- 41,134423
Nikita Kucherov
ForwardBirthplace: Maykop, Russia
Nationality: Russia
- 52,5961,182
Auston Matthews
CentermanBirthplace: San Ramon, California, United States of America
Nationality: United States of America
- 630968
Leon Draisaitl
ForwardBirthplace: Cologne, Germany
- 7927511
Victor Hedman
DefensemanBirthplace: Örnsköldsvik, Sweden
Nationality: Sweden
- 832688
David Pastrňák
Forward - 9706366
Artemi Panarin
Left wingBirthplace: Korkino, Russia
- 10830326
Jack Eichel
CenterBirthplace: North Chelmsford, Massachusetts
Nationality: United States of America
- 1124598
Andrei Vasilevskiy
GoaltenderBirthplace: Tyumen, Russia
Nationality: Russia
- 121,9751,295
Patrice Bergeron
Centerman, ForwardBirthplace: L'Ancienne-Lorette, Canada
Nationality: Canada
- 131,196755
Johnny Gaudreau
Left WingBirthplace: Carneys Point, New Jersey
Nationality: United States of America
- 141,428865
Marc-André Fleury
GoaltenderBirthplace: Sorel-Tracy, Canada
Nationality: Canada
- 1525199
Matthew Barzal
CenterBirthplace: Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada
Nationality: Canada
- 16562308
Roman Josi
DefensemanBirthplace: Bern, Switzerland
Nationality: Switzerland
- 17507265
Mark Scheifele
CentermanBirthplace: Kitchener, Brantford, Canada
Nationality: Canada
- 181,227838
Brent Burns
DefensemanBirthplace: Barrie, Canada
Nationality: Canada
- 1919468
Elias Pettersson
CenterBirthplace: Sundsvall
Nationality: Sweden
- 203,0362,231
Steven Stamkos
CentermanBirthplace: Markham, Canada
Nationality: Canada
- 2113636
Mikko Rantanen
Right wingNationality: Finland
- 221,339899
Patrik Laine
Right wing - 2315529
Mitchell "Mitch" Marner
Right wingNationality: Canada
- 241,8521,392
Vladimir Tarasenko
Right wingBirthplace: Yaroslavl, Russia
Nationality: Russia
- 2515248
Sebastian Aho
CenterNationality: Finland
