The Best Hockey Players Of 2022

Pat Alexander
April 20, 2022 8.1k votes 750 voters

Who are the best hockey players in 2022?  From rookies to veterans, the best NHL players consistently prove their talent on the ice. From expert goalies to tough defensemen to highlight reel scoring forwards these great National Hockey League players in 2022 have made names for themselves by being better than the rest. There's sure to be plenty of debate around the 2022 best NHL players. Who are the best hockey players right now? Which great NHL players do you love?

When it comes to the best active player in the NHL today, Sidney Crosby and Patrick Kane, two of the most iconic and celebrated hockey players to ever compete, deserve to be high up in the rankings. A number of other challengers for the title—such as the defending champions Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov, plus many of their Tampa Bay Lightning teammates. Not to mention other 2022 NHL stars like Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Auston Matthews, and Leon Draisaitl.

Vote up the best current hockey players 2022 in order to move them up the list, or click "rerank" to customize an order of your own.

Ranked by
  • Connor McDavid
    1

    Connor McDavid

    Richmond Hill, Canada
    473 votes
    • Team: Edmonton Oilers
    • Position: Center
    Connor McDavid (born January 13, 1997) is a Canadian professional ice hockey center and captain for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Considered to be the best player in the ...more
  • Nathan MacKinnon
    2

    Nathan MacKinnon

    Halifax Regional Municipality, Canada
    380 votes
    • Team: Colorado Avalanche
    • Position: Centre
    Nathan Raymond MacKinnon (born September 1, 1995) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and alternate captain of the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL). MacKinnon was ...more
  • Leon Draisaitl
    3

    Leon Draisaitl

    Cologne, Germany
    320 votes
    • Team: Edmonton Oilers
    • Position: Forward
    Leon Draisaitl (born 27 October 1995) is a German professional ice hockey forward for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Draisaitl grew up playing hockey in Germany until he was ...more
  • Cale Makar
    4

    Cale Makar

    Alberta, Canada
    398 votes
    • Team: Colorado Avalanche
    • Position: Defenseman
    Cale Douglas Makar (born October 30, 1998) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the first round, fourth ...more
  • Auston Matthews
    5

    Auston Matthews

    San Ramon, California
    407 votes
    • Team: Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Position: Center
    Auston Matthews (born September 17, 1997) is an American professional ice hockey player for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). Previously, Matthews played for the U.S. ...more
  • Mikko Rantanen
    6

    Mikko Rantanen

    Nousiainen, Finland
    219 votes
    • Team: Colorado Avalanche
    • Position: Right wing
    Mikko Rantanen (born 29 October 1996) is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward. He is currently playing for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the ...more