Bleacher Report's NHL All-Star Team For 2023-24 Season

The 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs begin on Saturday, Apr. 20. With less than a week remaining in the 2023-24 regular-season schedule, it's a good opportunity to make our choices for this season's All-Star Team.

It's been a memorable season due to the players we've selected as our All-Stars. We've chosen six players for our First All-Star Team with another six forming our Second All-Star team.

Some, like Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov and Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews, propelled the league to one of the highest-scoring seasons in recent memory. Several of them are enjoying career-best performances.

Our list also contains three former winners of the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the league's top defensemen plus a goaltender who is a former winner of the Vezina Trophy.

Do you agree or disagree with our choices? Is there a player you believe should be on one of our teams that we missed? Let us know in the app comments below.

First Team Goaltender: Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets

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WINNIPEG, CANADA - APRIL 04: Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck #37 of the Winnipeg Jets guards the net during third period action against the Calgary Flames at Canada Life Centre on April 04, 2024 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)

Before the start of this season, the Winnipeg Jets signed Connor Hellebuyck to a seven-year, $59.5 million contract extension. The 30-year-old goaltender rewarded them with one of the best seasons of his career.

Hellebuyck is among this season's leaders in key goaltending categories. A workhorse between the pipes, he's third in games played with 58, tied for second in wins (35) with two others, sits second in save percentage (.920) and fourth in goals-against average (2.42) while his four shutouts are among the top 10.

Winner of the Vezina Trophy in 2019-20 and a finalist in 2017-18 and 2022-23, Hellebuyck looks like the favorite to take home that award this season. His performance made him the obvious choice as our First-Team goaltender.

First Team Defense: Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche

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EDMONTON, AB - APRIL 5: Colorado Avalanche Defenceman Cale Makar (8) skates through the neutral zone in the second period of the Edmonton Oilers game versus the Colorado Avalanche on April 5, 2024, at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB. (Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Within five seasons, Cale Makar is firmly established as one of the league's top defensemen. He's played a key role in ensuring the Colorado Avalanche remains among the top 10 clubs and a contender for the Stanley Cup. The 25-year-old left-shot blueliner is an easy selection for our First All-Star Team.

Winner of the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2021-22, Makar was also a finalist in 2020-21 and 2022-23. A tremendous skater with elite offensive skills, he also logs big minutes for the Avalanche (24:49) and is among their leaders in power-play and shorthanded ice time. His 68 takeaways rank among this season's top 10.

Makar is best known for his offensive skills and has not disappointed this season. He's set a career-high with 67 assists and 87 points, sitting second among NHL defensemen in the latter category.

First Team Defense: Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - MARCH 31: Quinn Hughes #43 of the Vancouver Canucks skates onto the ice before their NHL game against the Anaheim Ducks at Rogers Arena on March 31, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)

After several years of inconsistent play, the Vancouver Canucks are among this season's top-10 teams. Quinn Hughes has played a major role in his club's impressive improvement. Named team captain during training camp last fall, the 24-year-old defenseman has embraced that role and has taken his game to a higher level.

Hughes is enjoying the best season of his six-year NHL career, setting career highs with 17 goals and 74 assists for 91 points. He broke the Canucks' single-season record for points among defensemen for the third straight year after scoring 76 last season and 68 in 2021-22. He's also their puck-possession leader (56.7).

Leading all NHL defensemen this season in points, Hughes is considered the favorite to win the James Norris Memorial Trophy. A swift-skating puck handler, he's also improved his defensive game. The left-shot blueliner has earned his place on our First All-Star Team.

First Team Left Wing: Artemi Panarin, New York Rangers

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ELMONT, NY - APRIL 09: New York Rangers Left Wing Artemi Panarin (10) skates with the puck during the second period of the National Hockey League game between the New York Rangers and the New York Islanders on April 9, 2024, at UBS Arena in Elmont, NY. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The league-leading New York Rangers are poised to set a single-season franchise record for wins (54) in 2023-24. Part of the thanks for that belongs to Artemi Panarin's outstanding play. Like his team, the 32-year-old left wing has reached new heights in performance this season to earn his place on our First All-Star Team.

Panarin played a big role in the Rangers' rise since 2021-22 among the NHL's top teams. He's set a career-best single-season points total with 117 and counting, sitting fourth among this season's NHL scorers With 47 goals, he could reach the 50-goal plateau for the first time by season's end. He's also set a career-high with 70 assists.

One of the league's most creative playmakers, Panarin's emergence this season as a goal-scoring threat added another dimension to his game. His efforts have the Rangers on pace to win the Presidents' Trophy for the first time since 2014-15.

First Team Right Wing: Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning

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TAMPA, FL - APRIL 11: Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning against the Ottawa Senators during the second period at Amalie Arena on April 11, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mark LoMoglio/NHLI via Getty Images)

A cornerstone of the Tampa Bay Lightning's Stanley Cup champion teams in 2020 and 2021, right wing Nikita Kucherov is among the NHL elite scoring forwards. A two-time First Team All-Star in 2017-18 and 2018-19, Kucherov took home the Hart Memorial Trophy, the Art Ross Trophy, and the Ted Lindsay Award in 2019.

Kucherov, 30, is jockeying for his second Art Ross Trophy, setting career highs with 43 goals and 98 assists for 141 points. He's held first place in the scoring race for most of this season and has shown no signs of flagging down the stretch.

The Lightning are no longer among the Stanley Cup favorites. Nevertheless, they remain a dangerous team thanks to Kucherov's outstanding offensive abilities. He must be considered among this season's leading contenders for the Hart Trophy and the Ted Lindsay Award.

First Team Center: Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche

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COLUMBUS, OHIO - APRIL 01: Nathan MacKinnon #29 of the Colorado Avalanche skates with the puck during the third period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on April 01, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)

One of the most explosive skaters in the NHL, Nathan MacKinnon's ability to make incredible scoring plays at high speed has dazzled hockey fans for years. After reaching a career-high of 111 points last season, the 28-year-old Colorado Avalanche center took his game to another level in 2023-24.

MacKinnon has been jockeying with Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov for the scoring title for most of this season. He reached the vaunted 50-goal plateau (51) for the first time in his NHL career. The Avalanche center has also established career highs with 86 assists and 137 points.

The Avalanche won the Stanley Cup in 2022 in part because of MacKinnon's impressive abilities. He's been their most valuable player this season, taking over as their leader with captain Gabriel Landeskog sidelined by a knee injury. His efforts could earn him the Hart Memorial Trophy as league MVP.

Second Team Goaltender: Thatcher Demko, Vancouver Canucks

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 05: Vancouver Canucks Goalie Thatcher Demko (35) skates during warm ups before a game between the Vancouver Canucks and the Los Angeles Kings on March 5th, 2024 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Rob Curtis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Thatcher Demko's solid goaltending was among the reasons behind the Vancouver Canucks' surprising improvement into a top-10 team this season. Sidelined since March 9 with a lower-body injury, the 28-year-old netminder is expected to rejoin the roster before the Stanley Cup playoffs begin on Apr. 20.

Before his injury, Demko was tied for the league lead with 34 wins, sat eighth in save percentage (.917), ninth in goals-against average (2.47), third in shutouts (five) and games played (49). He remains among the top 10 goalies in those categories over a month later.

Demko might've become our First-Team goaltender had he not been injured. Nevertheless, his performance this season earned his place on the Second Team.

Second Team Defense: Roman Josi, Nashville Predators

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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 26: Roman Josi #59 of the Nashville Predators skates against the Vegas Golden Knights during an NHL game at Bridgestone Arena on March 26, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)

A two-time NHL First-Team All-Star (2019-20 and 2021-22), Roman Josi won the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2019-20. The 33-year-old captain of the Nashville Predators shows no sign of slowing down. He leads his club in ice time per game (24:40) and blocked shots (144) and sits second in points with 81.

The Predators owe their hold on the first Western Conference wildcard berth in part to Josi. He leads all defensemen this season with 21 goals and is third in points. He also led the Predators on an 18-game points streak that clinched their playoff berth.

Josi's performance this season could put him in the running for the Norris Trophy. It's also garnered him one of our two defense spots on our Second All-Star team.

Second Team Defense: Adam Fox, New York Rangers

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ELMONT, NY - APRIL 09: New York Rangers Defenceman Adam Fox (23) skates with the puck during the first period of the National Hockey League game between the New York Rangers and the New York Islanders on April 9, 2024, at UBS Arena in Elmont, NY. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Adam Fox joined the NHL's class of elite defensemen in 2020-21, joining the great Bobby Orr as the only sophomores to win the James Norris Memorial Trophy. A finalist for the award last season, the 26-year-old New York Rangers blueliner could be in the running again for the Norris.

A skilled two-way defenseman, Fox is among the top-10 defensemen with 71 points in 70 games and fourth among Rangers scorers. He leads them in ice time per game (23:29), sitting third in blocked shots with 116.

A lower-body injury earlier this season sidelined Fox for 10 games in November. However, his strong play since his return puts him on our Second All-Star Team.

Second Team Left Wing: Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators

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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - APRIL 12: Filip Forsberg #9 of the Nashville Predators controls the puck against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period at the United Center on April 12, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The Nashville Predators recently clinched the first Western Conference wildcard spot. It wouldn't have been possible without Filip Forsberg's offensive contributions. The 29-year-old's performance this season garnered his place on our Second All-Star Team.

Forsberg's previous career-best season was in 2021-22 with 42 goals and 84 points in 69 games. Had he not been injured, he might've hit bigger heights. This season, he set new highs with 46 goals and 46 assists for 92 points in 80 games, setting the franchise single-season goals record.

Because of his efforts, Forsberg is among this season's top-10 goal scorers. He was the Predators' representative at the 2024 NHL All-Star Game. His strong play in March (12 goals and 23 points in 13 games) made him that month's NHL third star.

Second Team Right Wing: David Pastrňák, Boston Bruins

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BOSTON, MA - APRIL 06: Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88) carries the puck during a game between the Boston Bruins and the Florida Panthers on April 6, 2024, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Since reaching a career-high 61 goals and 113 points last season, David Pastrňák established himself among the NHL's elite scorers and the best in Boston Bruins history. The 27-year-old winger remains among this season's top offensive stars, making him our Second Team right winger.

With 47 goals and a career-best 60 assists, Pastrňák is six points away from matching last season's total. He's among this season's top 10 in goals and points. With 35 multipoint games, he's the first Bruin since Adam Oates in 1992-93 to achieve that feat.

This was supposed to be a transitional season for the Bruins following last summer's retirements of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci. Pastrňák's offensive skills played a big role in the Bruins jockeying for first place in the overall standings this season.

Second Team Center: Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs

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TORONTO, ON - APRIL 11: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the New Jersey Devils during the first period at Scotiabank Arena on April 11, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)

Reaching the 60-goal plateau for the second time, Austin Matthews is the only active player to achieve that feat. With 68 goals as of Apr. 12, the Toronto Maple Leafs center is poised to become the first player in 31 years to reach 70. That makes him our choice to center our Second All-Star Team.

A talented goal scorer who has improved his overall game, Matthews is poised to join Washington's Alex Ovechkin as the only players to win the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy at least three times. The straw that stirs the drink for the Maple Leafs, he has once again played a key role in the club qualifying for the playoffs for the eighth straight season.

Matthews was a First-Team NHL All-Star in 2021-22 and was that season's winner of the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Ted Lindsay Award. He'll likely be in line for those awards this season.

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Stats (as of Apr. 13, 2024) via NHL.com and Hockey-Reference.com.