NHL Power Rankings: Hurricanes leap to No. 1 and we’ve chosen Our Guys for each team

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A few years ago, in November 2022, we here at Power Rankings HQ chose Our Guys. One per team. Those Guys being particularly good, while encouraged, was not a prerequisite.

We’re back at it for 2025-26. A lot of these picks are based on skill. Some of them, particularly toward the bottom, are based on other things. The only rule: If you showed up on Player Tiers, our league-vetted list of the top 150 players in hockey, you were ineligible. Be good, in other words, but not too good — and if you’re not good, be old, be interesting, or have a cool name.

1. Carolina Hurricanes, 6-1-0

Last week: 3
Sean: 1
Dom: 1

Before we get to #OurGuy, let’s first talk about the NHL aptly scheduling a Rankings Bowl game the night before. Colorado vs. Carolina: Winner gets first overall in the Power Rankings, the most coveted NHL award outside the Stanley Cup. Carolina dominated to start with a 4-1 lead and almost squandered it before putting it away in a shootout. That’s all the Hurricanes needed to cement their spot at the top of the NHL mountain.

So who’s #OurGuy from the league’s best team? We’re going with Jackson Blake, who’s off to a nice start after signing a bajillion dollar extension this summer. He’s notably stolen Andrei Svechnikov’s spot on the top power play in the early going which could put him in line for a productive season. Also, he has a movie star name which is important.

2. Colorado Avalanche, 5-0-3

Last week: 1
Sean: 2
Dom: 2

When it comes to #OurGuys, we tend to skew on the young side — the up-and-coming talents ready to make a name for themselves. We, uhh, don’t have a lot of options on that front with the Avalanche, so instead we’re going to root for the guy with the best story. That’s obviously Gabriel Landeskog. With two points in eight games (and a goal unjustly taken away from him earlier this week), Landeskog is off to an unfortunately slow start. But we have faith the Avalanche captain will look closer to the somehow-still-dominant player we saw in last year’s playoffs.

3. New Jersey Devils, 6-1-0

Last week: 9
Sean: 4
Dom: 3

How can you not love a rookie that posts updates on Telegram throughout the season? Arseny Gritsyuk has endeared us with his love for posting, and the shot on his first goal wasn’t bad either.

4. Vegas Golden Knights, 5-0-2

Last week: 10
Sean: 3
Dom: 4

Since the start of last season, Pavel Dorofeyev has scored 42 goals. That was 12th-most in the league at the start of Thursday’s games, more than — among a whole bunch of others — Auston Matthews and Nathan MacKinnon. In about 50 five-on-five minutes with Dorofeyev, Mitch Marner and Tomas Hertl on the ice, Vegas is controlling a smooth 73 percent of the expected goal share.

Also, he does stuff like this. What’s not to like?

5. Utah Mammoth, 6-2-0

Last week: 15
Sean: 6
Dom: 5

The Mammoth have a lot of flash at the top of their lineup. Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz are staples. Logan Cooley and Dylan Guenther are the up-and-comers. And JJ Peterka is the new guy in town. But it’s all for not without a responsible two-way center holding it all together. That’s Barrett Hayton, who is finally realizing the upside that made him a top-five pick.

That may not come in the form of production, but since 2022-23, his teams’ xG rate is 0.53 better per 60 with him on the ice. That’s the sixth-best mark in the league. He’s a driver.

6. Washington Capitals, 5-2-0

Last week: 4
Sean: 5
Dom: 6

It shouldn’t surprise anyone to see Ryan Leonard pop a bit; he started last season as one of the top prospects in the league, had another great run at Boston College and earned a playoff roster spot for the Capitals. Players with his mix of skill and pain-in-the-assery are pretty rare and pretty fun.

He’s delivering thus far, scoring three times in seven games, leading the Caps with 2.08 goals per 60 and making an early push to be at the top of the Calder discussion. Get used to seeing stuff like this from him.

7. Edmonton Oilers, 4-3-1

Last week: 6
Sean: 8
Dom: 7

Expecting Andrew Mangiapane to hit the 35-goal mark, as he did with the Flames a few years back, would be unreasonable, but he’s still capable of substantive five-on-five play and decent production. Quality depth, in other words. Still a pretty novel concept in Edmonton.

8. Winnipeg Jets, 5-2-0

Last week: 7
Sean: 7
Dom: 9

It’s not easy being the backup behind a bell-cow starter. Eric Comrie only played 20 games last year and has only suited up once so far in Winnipeg’s first seven this year. When he does play, though, he’s been rock solid for the Jets with six goals saved above expected over those 21 games and a .916 save percentage. Maybe, just maybe, this is the year the Jets give Connor Hellebuyck a few more nights off. It could solve his playoff woes and Comrie looks more than capable of taking on a bigger role.

9. Montreal Canadiens, 6-3-0

Last week: 8
Sean: 9
Dom: 8

We’ve both got a lot of time for Kaiden Guhle, which is why he’s the pick here despite a lower-body injury that’ll shelve him for another month, if not more. He’s not particularly flashy, but he looked good next to Lane Hutson last season. Montreal could’ve used him against Edmonton on Thursday.

10. Dallas Stars, 3-3-1

Last week: 2
Sean: 12
Dom: 10

It’s been a minute since we’ve seen a fully-operational version of Tyler Seguin in Dallas. Last season, before December surgery on a hip that had been giving him trouble, he had 20 points in 19 games. During the playoffs, he helped drive play but finished with eight points in 18 games, then had another operation on his shoulder.

In six games thus far, though, he’s looked good across the board, putting up six points and, at five-on-five, helping Dallas control the run of play. Watching him maintain that level for a full season, at 33, would be fun — and it’d certainly help give the Stars another layer of offensive production.

11. Anaheim Ducks, 4-2-1

Last week: 20
Sean: 10
Dom: 13

We’re going with Chris Kreider for all the reasons Murat Ates laid out in his piece about old guys who are currently looking a little less old. Kreider, always a solid Cy Young candidate, has four goals and one assist.

12. Detroit Red Wings, 5-3-0

Last week: 13
Sean: 11
Dom: 14

Sometimes #OurGuy is an underrated unknown. Sometimes he’s got a cool name. Sometimes he’s got a great story. Emmitt Finnie is all three.

The Red Wings rookie not only made the team against all odds, but has become a top-line staple next to Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond. Finnie has more than held his own in tough minutes and has seven points in eight games to boot. Not bad for a kid who was drafted 201st just two years ago. Assuming he sticks around, Finnie will be the first player drafted in the 200s to play a full season since the 2019 draft.

13. Toronto Maple Leafs, 3-3-1

Last week: 5
Sean: 15
Dom: 11

Bobby McMann, welcome to the top line!

Toronto has been a tough watch through the start of the season and Auston Matthews’ line, especially, has been a mess. Putting William Nylander up there, too, is obviously the headline, but don’t think we didn’t notice the speedy McMann lining up on the other side. McMann has shown some flashes of scoring upside in the past; now he has a prime opportunity to make due on that promise. At the very least, he adds a different element.

14. Florida Panthers, 4-5-0

Last week: 12
Sean: 14
Dom: 12

They like calling Anton Lundell “Baby Barkov” in South Florida, and he put some of that on display Thursday night by annoying the bejeezus out of Sidney Crosby in their matchup minutes. Florida controlled attempts 16-9, shots 7-1 and chances 8-1 when the two were on the ice together. The champs lost, though. That should be lightly concerning. Having Big Barkov would be nice!

15. Pittsburgh Penguins, 6-2-0

Last week: 24
Sean: 13
Dom: 16

Pittsburgh is an entertaining watch at the moment. It’s a roster chock-full of Flibbets and Donks, and most of them are punching above their weight class. Five goals for Justin Brazeau? Top-pair beast Parker Wotherspoon? An Anthony Mantha sighting? Hey, why not?

Our pick, though, is Ben Kindel. He’s 18 years old, a first-round pick in June who has a great shot at sticking around for the full season, and lots of folks are already in love with him. Plus, he’s a Penguin who wears No. 81 and is capable of scoring goals like this. Call him Ben Kessel or Phil Kindel. Your pick.

16. Vancouver Canucks, 4-4-0

Last week: 16
Sean: 16
Dom: 15

Conor Garland is ineligible here due to his Player Tiers inclusion. We took some heat for that one, but he’s been their best forward. Jake DeBrusk hasn’t been quite as good, but he likes Pokémon, which is cool.

17. St. Louis Blues, 3-3-1

Last week: 17
Sean: 19
Dom: 18

If the St. Louis Blues aren’t selling snuggies with Jimmy Snuggerud’s face on it, then what’s the point? His three goals to start the season are second only to Jake Neighbours on the team.

18. New York Rangers, 3-4-2

Last week: 18
Sean: 20
Dom: 17

We are not picking Jonathan Quick here simply because he’s old — though he is. A happy early 40th birthday to him. We’re also picking him because he’s still a competent backup, with a .911 save percentage and a GSAx of nearly one in two starts thus far, and because he seems like a pretty good dude. Three nice qualities!

19. New York Islanders, 4-3-0

Last week: 29
Sean: 18
Dom: 22

Remember the other guy in the Noah Dobson deal? Emil Heineman. Well, he’s on the Islanders’ top line and has started the season with five goals in seven games. He’s been a really nice get for the Islanders. Shout out to Arpon Basu, who’s always been a Heineman Guy.

20. Los Angeles Kings, 3-3-2

Last week: 21
Sean: 21
Dom: 19

Los Angeles, we’re begging you: Just give Brandt Clarke a chance to shine. Clarke feels like the team’s only defenseman with any offensive juice, but is sixth on the depth chart. Yes, there’s a reason for that — his defensive game needs a lot of work — but if the alternative is more Cody Ceci and Brian Dumoulin, the Kings are making the wrong choice. With such a deep forward group, it’s time to let Clarke cook.

21. Minnesota Wild, 3-4-1

Last week: 14
Sean: 22
Dom: 20

With all due respect to Zeev Buium, a walking endorsement for an NHL version of “Red Zone” for power plays, we’re going with Marcus Johansson. If you’re a 35-year-old who’s still kicking around on the middle six of a half-decent team despite not scoring more than 13 goals since 2018, you’ve earned our respect.

Now, is that a great sign for Minnesota? Probably not. Same goes for the fact that no Wild forward has been on the ice for more of their five-on-five goals. But it all counts for something.

22. Philadelphia Flyers, 3-3-1

Last week: 27
Sean: 17
Dom: 26

Before the season started, Trevor Zegras told ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski, “I want them to go from saying ‘he’s good at hockey’ to ‘he’s a hockey player.’” Plays like this tell us he’s on the right track.

Through six games Zegras not only has five points, but he’s also flashing the five-on-five substance his game has been missing the last few years. If Zegras can consistently prove he’s more than just flash, the Flyers will have a true impact player on their hands.

23. Seattle Kraken, 4-2-2

Last week: 26
Sean: 23
Dom: 21

He’s played all of three NHL games, but here’s hoping Berkly Catton sticks with the Kraken. The No. 8 pick in 2024, Catton is the sort of elite talent the Kraken desperately need to stay out of the muck. Corey Pronman thinks he’s got star potential as a first-line center, and that’s good enough for us.

24. Chicago Blackhawks, 4-2-2

Last week: 30
Sean: 24
Dom: 25

We gassed up Frank Nazar last week, and it’s a good time to re-up that one. He scored on Thursday night for the second time in two nights in a 3-2 win over the Lightning. The Lightning! The Blackhawks beat the Lightning!

Nazar now has nine points in eight games and a positive Game Score in six of them. Chicago desperately needed someone to step up as a long-term piece with Connor Bedard, and he fits the bill more and more each day.

25. Columbus Blue Jackets, 3-3-0

Last week: 28
Sean: 27
Dom: 29

He’s not lighting the world on fire thus far (2G, 1A), but Kent Johnson is a blast. He’s a creative, entertaining player, and he’s coming off a substantive 57-point season at just 22 years old. We’re holding our stock.

26. Buffalo Sabres, 3-4-0

Last week: 25
Sean: 27
Dom: 24

It’s tough to narrow down just one Sabres player to add to #OurGuys. Jack Quinn and Zach Benson have had incredible individual efforts over the last week, but we’re going with newcomer Josh Doan. One of the two pieces in the Peterka deal offered plenty of intrigue entering the season, given his elite underlying numbers in a small role. If Doan could translate it higher up the lineup, the Sabres were in business.

So far, he’s done just that and has been one of Buffalo’s best players to start. Doan is tied for the team lead with six points and has been the team’s unquestionable driver at five-on-five with a stunning 66.8 percent xG. Doan is the real deal.

27. Nashville Predators, 3-3-2

Last week: 22
Sean: 25
Dom: 28

Did you know Steven Stamkos didn’t make our list of the top 150 players? Nobody pushed back on that decision, either. Wild. Watching him dial it back up would be fun — but #OurGuy here is Ozzy Wiesblatt. He’s a first-round pick (2020 with San Jose) who’s trying to carve out an NHL niche after a solid run with Milwaukee of the AHL, and he’s got a great name. On a roster that’s pretty short on intrigue, that’s more than enough.

28. Ottawa Senators, 3-4-1

Last week: 23
Sean: 28
Dom: 27

Artem Zub needs a better PR team. He entered the season with a borderline top-10 Defensive Rating in the same company as the game’s absolute best — but with nowhere near the same press. Zub is a rock on Ottawa’s blue line, a perfect complement to Jake Sanderson on the team’s shutdown line. It’s time he gets some attention for his work.

29. Boston Bruins, 3-6-0

Last week: 19
Sean: 29
Dom: 29

Wouldn’t it be funny if Elias Lindholm was actually good again? After a tough start to his Boston tenure, Lindholm found his footing in the second half. He’s carried that over to his second season with six points in his first eight games.

Is that worth $7.75 million for the next six years? Even in a rising cap world, probably not. But he’s still a decent player.

30. San Jose Sharks, 1-4-2

Last week: 32
Sean: 31
Dom: 32

A five-point game, which Macklin Celebrini went out and had on Thursday night, is about as fun as it gets — but Celebrini, sadly, is ineligible here. We’ll go with Will Smith instead, and we’re feeling pretty good about the consolation prize.

Smith had four points against the Rangers, including the game-winning overtime goal … on a feed from Celebrini. Sign us up for 15 years of that. Sign Judi up, too.

31. Calgary Flames, 1-6-0

Last week: 31
Sean: 32
Dom: 31

Next to nothing is working for the Flames so far, so we’ll turn to our old friend Jonathan Huberdeau. He may only have one goal in three games, but he’s been a surprising force when it comes to possessing the puck. His contract is extremely prohibitive, but it would be nice to see what he could still do on a good team that can surround him with talent.

32. Tampa Bay Lightning, 1-4-2

Last week: 11
Sean: 13
Dom: 12

Seven games in and the Lightning just lost to the Blackhawks and are tied with the Sharks in the standings. Not good. Because #OurGuys would never let us down, ever, it’s hard to pick any player associated with this absolute disaster. We’re going to have to go with Nick Paul, a good player who has played zero part in Tampa Bay’s current mess.




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