- Connor McDavid, 28 years old, forward, Canada (Edmonton).
NHL's unwillingness to participate internationally (read OS) means that Edmonton's superstar and Sidney Crosby's heir as the world's best has had to wait a long time to play in a Canadian star national team. In the 2016 World Cup, the speed wonder was placed in a North American U23 team. Now it's finally time. Five times he has won NHL's scoring league and three times the MVP award in the league. Will he carry Canada to victory?
- Sidney Crosby, 37, forward, Canada (Pittsburgh).
It's clear that you can discuss whether Crosby should still be so high up. But his greatness over 20 years, his merit list, his decisive performances for both Canada and Pittsburgh speak for themselves. 3 Stanley Cup titles, 2 OS gold medals, nearly 1,700 points in NHL. Here is a star that still shines impressively strong.
- Auston Matthews, 27, forward, USA (Toronto).
Scored an incredible 69 goals last season, the highest score in 28 years since Mario Lemieux did the same.
Has had injury problems this season and stands at 20 goals in 40 matches.
No player in NHL has scored more goals than Matthews' 388 goals since he entered the league in 2016-17.
- Nathan MacKinnon, 29, forward, Canada (Colorado).
Leads the scoring league in NHL after finishing second last season, when his 140 points earned him the Hart Trophy as NHL's best. Playmaker and goal scorer in one person, plus a rocket on the ice.
- Cale Makar, 26, defenseman, Canada (Colorado).
Nicklas Lidström, Erik Karlsson, and Victor Hedman have made Sweden the top nation among defensemen over the years. Now a new generation of transatlantic players is coming. Makar has an offensive edge that few other defensemen have and has already won a Stanley Cup title. Was named NHL's best defenseman as early as 23 years old in 2022.
- Victor Hedman, 34, defenseman, Sweden (Tampa Bay).
The years go by, but giant Hedman endures. The nearly two-meter-tall and 111-kilogram-heavy defenseman is something to lean on both defensively and offensively. Tampa's team captain is a two-time Stanley Cup winner, has won the Norris Trophy once, and has been nominated five more times.
- Patrik Laine, 26, forward, Finland (Montreal).
Sure, Aleksandr Barkov is a better player, Mikko Rantanen a better goal scorer.
But no one in Finland's team is as spectacular as Laine when he unleashes his rockets to shoot. Has struggled with both injury problems and mental health issues over the years, but now seems to be back in old good form and enjoying himself on the ice again.
- Mikko Rantanen, f, Carolina (Finland).
The shock after the trade from Colorado has barely subsided yet. The 28-year-old goal machine from Nousiainen outside Åbo has scored 30 goals or more in five of his eight full NHL seasons and has a Stanley Cup win. But with an expiring contract this summer, Colorado chose to send him away rather than sign a new monster contract. Stands at 26 goals this year, including one (in six matches) in his new club.
- Connor Hellebuyck, 31, goalie, USA (Winnipeg).
Named NHL's best goalie last season for the second time and leads the goalie league this season. With Jacob Markström gone and a rusty Linus Ullmark, Hellebuyck is the undisputed hottest goalie in the tournament.
- William Nylander, 28, forward, Sweden (Toronto).
Has only Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton, ahead of him in NHL's scoring league and is heading for his best season goal-wise with his 33 goals so far. Has landed on 40 goals both last season and 2022-23.
