theScore's top 100 NHL players: 30-21
Leading up to the start of the 2018-19 season, theScore will be counting down the top 100 players in the game today, as voted on by four of our NHL editors. We'll reveal 10 players every weekday until the top 10 is unveiled on Oct. 3.
100-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1
30. Roman Josi, PredatorsWegman | O'Leary | Gold-Smith | Hagerman |
---|---|---|---|
20 | 35 | 29 | 32 |
Josi has blossomed into a true impact player, capable of neutralizing opponents with outstanding positioning and a strong stick. He can also drive an offense with his smooth skating stride, high-end skill, and good instincts. -- Wegman
29. Artemi Panarin, Blue JacketsWegman | O'Leary | Gold-Smith | Hagerman |
---|---|---|---|
39 | 20 | 30 | 24 |
Panarin erased any doubts he could produce elite numbers without Patrick Kane on his opposite flank after putting up a career-high 82 points in his first season in Columbus. The Bread Man has established himself as one of the NHL's best wingers, and you can bet he'll remain at the top of his game in a contract year. -- O'Leary
28. Jamie Benn, StarsWegman | O'Leary | Gold-Smith | Hagerman |
---|---|---|---|
27 | 31 | 28 | 21 |
He does it all. Benn will crush you into the boards, set up a nice goal, or rip one himself. He's still the straw that stirs the Dallas Stars' drink, leading the team in points, finishing second among Stars forwards in hits, and pacing the club with seven game-winning goals last season. -- Hagerman
27. Jack Eichel, SabresWegman | O'Leary | Gold-Smith | Hagerman |
---|---|---|---|
24 | 33 | 23 | 23 |
Eichel had his best NHL campaign in 2017-18 despite missing 15 games. The soon-to-be 22-year-old has been hindered by injuries in each of the past two campaigns but he's clearly an elite offensive talent who's only scratching the surface of his potential. Don't be surprised if he truly breaks out this season. -- Gold-Smith
26. Aleksander Barkov, PanthersWegman | O'Leary | Gold-Smith | Hagerman |
---|---|---|---|
15 | 29 | 27 | 31 |
Barkov is maybe the most underrated player in the league. Yes, he has a ridiculous set of hands, but the 6-foot-3 center is as good without the puck as he is with it, finishing fifth in the league with 82 takeaways and second among Panthers forwards with 67 blocked shots last season. An elite penalty killer, Barkov will be a perennial Selke Trophy candidate for the next decade. -- Wegman
25. Patrik Laine, JetsWegman | O'Leary | Gold-Smith | Hagerman |
---|---|---|---|
30 | 22 | 24 | 26 |
It's only a matter of time before Laine starts winning Rocket Richard trophies; his devastating release is simply unsolvable for opposing netminders. While goal scoring is Laine's greatest asset, his underrated passing ability and hands help make him one of the best young players in the NHL. -- O'Leary
24. Claude Giroux, FlyersWegman | O'Leary | Gold-Smith | Hagerman |
---|---|---|---|
35 | 24 | 19 | 18 |
Giroux is coming off a monstrous 2017-18, nearly doubling his 2016-17 point total to finish second in league scoring after moving to the wing. He's recorded the fifth-most assists over the last four seasons as one of the top playmakers in the league. -- Hagerman
23. Blake Wheeler, JetsWegman | O'Leary | Gold-Smith | Hagerman |
---|---|---|---|
25 | 27 | 26 | 16 |
Wheeler not only posted a career-high 91 points last season, his versatility and selflessness practically saved the Jets' campaign. After top center Mark Scheifele went down with an injury, Wheeler shifted from right wing to center - almost unheard of for a veteran of his pedigree - and totaled 16 points in as many games as the Jets went 11-2-3. That's the sign of a true leader. -- Wegman
22. P.K. Subban, PredatorsWegman | O'Leary | Gold-Smith | Hagerman |
---|---|---|---|
19 | 18 | 25 | 28 |
The Predators have four excellent defensemen, but Subban is the best of the bunch and the heart and soul of the group. He's a great skater who can score and get under his opponents' skin. Few NHLers play with as much passion as Subban does, and few are as versatile. -- Gold-Smith
21. Evgeny Kuznetsov, CapitalsWegman | O'Leary | Gold-Smith | Hagerman |
---|---|---|---|
17 | 21 | 22 | 29 |
Kuznetsov's 2017-18 cemented him as one of the league's top players. The charismatic Russian was bumped up to Alex Ovechkin's line and produced a career-high 83 regular-season points, then recorded a Conn Smythe-worthy 32 points in 24 postseason games as the Caps captured the Cup. -- O'Leary
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)
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