Every NHL Team's Best Forward Ranked Ahead of the 2025-26 Season
The NHL's 2025-26 regular season begins on Oct. 7, with preseason play starting on Sept. 20. With time to kill in the middle of the ongoing dog days of the offseason, we felt it was a good opportunity to decide on each team's best forward for the coming season.
For rebuilding teams or those lacking superstar talent, it was easy to select their top forward. On deeper star-laden teams, making that choice proved more difficult.
In compiling this ranking, we examined each forward's body of work to gauge their importance to their respective teams. Many on this list are here due to their offensive skills, while others got the nod because of their overall abilities and leadership.
Read on to see if you agree or disagree with our player choices or where they sit among our rankings.
32. Seattle Kraken: Jared McCann
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Since their inception in 2021, the Seattle Kraken have lacked a game-breaking superstar forward. However, they have had the consistency of winger Jared McCann, who has thrived in Seattle since they selected him in their expansion draft four years ago.
McCann, 29, was used as a depth forward during his tenures with the Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers, and Pittsburgh Penguins. In Seattle, he's had top-six minutes and made the most of them, averaging over 20 goals a season and three seasons with 60-plus points, including a career-high 70 in 2022-23.
The Kraken's all-time scoring leader, McCann remains their top forward heading into 2025-26. However, he could be overtaken this season if young forwards Matty Beniers, Kaapo Kakko, or Shane Wright have breakout performances.
31. Anaheim Ducks: Leo Carlsson
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The rebuilding Anaheim Ducks' forward lines consist mostly of aging forwards such as Alex Killorn and Chris Kreider, and promising youngsters like Mason McTavish, Cutter Gauthier, and Leo Carlsson. However, the 20-year-old Carlsson has the offensive skills to become their top forward this season.
After a 29-point performance in 55 games during his rookie season, Carlsson showed considerable potential with his 45-point sophomore campaign in 2024-25, with 30 of those points coming over the final 41 games of the schedule, finishing fourth among Ducks scorers.
A skillful playmaker chosen second overall in the 2023 NHL Draft, the 6'3", 203-pound Carlsson is expected to fill the Ducks' first-line center position on a full-time basis this season. It's a significant role for the youngster, and should set the stage for his breakout performance as an NHL star.
30. San Jose Sharks: Macklin Celebrini
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Chosen first overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, Macklin Celebrini wasted no time joining the San Jose Sharks and making his presence felt. Despite missing 12 games to an injury, he led the Sharks with 63 points and finished third among last season's rookie scorers.
That performance made Celebrini a finalist for the 2024-25 Calder Memorial Trophy. It also signaled that the Sharks have a foundation player whom they can base their roster rebuild on. The 19-year-old center can also play on the wing and is a skilled playmaker with solid two-way abilities.
The Sharks will continue to experience growing pains as their rebuilding continues. With Celebrini leading their promising young talent, they could see some significant improvement this season.
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29. Columbus Blue Jackets: Adam Fantilli
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The Columbus Blue Jackets surprised the hockey world last season, overcoming the tragic death of winger Johnny Gaudreau and a rash of injuries to key players to come within a whisker of clinching an Eastern Conference playoff berth.
One reason was the play of promising young players like Adam Fantilli. Forced into the first-line center role after Sean Monahan suffered a broken wrist, the 20-year-old sophomore center rose to the occasion. He finished with 31 goals and 54 points, of which 22 goals and 35 points came in the final half of the season.
Chosen third overall by the Blue Jackets in the 2023 NHL Draft, the 6'2", 199-pound Fantilli is poised for bigger and better things. He's listed as their second-line center for the coming season, but he could regain that first-line role for good if he builds on his promising 2024-25 performance.
28. Chicago Blackhawks: Connor Bedard
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Entering his third NHL season, the 20-year-old Bedard still has the skills to become an NHL superstar. Given the makeup of Chicago's roster, however, he must elevate his game if his club is to make any significant improvement this season.
Selected first overall by Chicago in the 2023 NHL Draft, Connor Bedard has become the foundation player for this rebuilding franchise. Despite missing 14 games with a broken jaw, his debut season was a success, winning the Calder Memorial Trophy after leading his club and all rookies with 61 points.
Bedard led Chicago in scoring again last season with 67 points, but it wasn't the improvement he and his club expected. The young center was forced to carry the offensive burden on a club with past-their-prime veterans and youngsters who have yet to reach their full potential.
27. Philadelphia Flyers: Travis Konecny
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The past five seasons have been challenging for the Philadelphia Flyers, as they have missed the postseason during that period while undergoing management and coaching changes during a painful roster rebuild. One bright spot throughout has been the play of Travis Konecny.
During that stretch, the feisty, energetic Konecny has steadily improved into a reliable and versatile winger for the Flyers. The 28-year-old leads them with 115 goals, 176 assists, and 291 points in 347 games, including a career-best 76-point performance last season.
Promising winger Matvei Michkov could soon become the Flyers' top forward. For now, however, Konecny holds that honor, and how well he meshes with Michkov could determine how rapidly the Flyers improve.
26. Calgary Flames: Nazem Kadri
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The retooling Calgary Flames narrowly missed the playoffs last season as their combination of veterans and promising youngsters exceeded expectations. Leading the charge was Nazem Kadri, who finished first among Flames scorers and 67 points in 82 games.
A skillful, agitating two-way center, the 34-year-old Kadri showed no sign of slowing down. His team-leading 35 goals were a career best, and he's taken on more of a leadership role with the Flames.
Kadri is at the stage in his career when decline is inevitable, but he seems to have enough left in the tank to be a difference-maker for the Flames this season. His two-way skills, experience, and leadership make him an invaluable player as his club continues to transition toward younger talent.
25. New York Islanders: Mathew Barzal
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The New York Islanders enter this season under new management and with a retooled roster. They'll be relying on Mathew Barzal to lead the way offensively as they attempt to return to contention after missing the postseason in 2024-25.
Winner of the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2017-18, Barzal has impressed NHL fans with his dynamic playmaking ability. Since then, he's been their leader with 328 total assists and 462 total points.
Injuries and inconsistency have limited the 28-year-old Barzal to only two seasons of 80 or more points. If he can return to the 80-point plateau this season, the Islanders should be in a good position to clinch a playoff spot.
24. Vancouver Canucks: Elias Pettersson
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The 2024-25 season was a disaster for Elias Pettersson and the Vancouver Canucks. A reported schism between him and center J.T. Miller led to the latter's trade to the New York Rangers. Meanwhile, Pettersson's production cratered to 45 points in 64 games while the Canucks missed the playoffs.
Pettersson was also plagued by injuries and questions about his offseason training regimen. When motivated and healthy, he's proven himself as an elite playmaking center, with a career-best 102-point performance in 2022-23 and 89 points in 2023-24.
Since his NHL debut in 2018-19, Pettersson has been the Canucks' top offensive forward, leading them with 457 total points in 471 games. Now 26 and with the difficult 2024-25 campaign behind him, Pettersson will attempt to get himself and his team back on track this season.
23. Detroit Red Wings: Lucas Raymond
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Chosen fourth overall in the 2020 NHL Draft, Lucas Raymond has steadily worked his way into becoming the best forward on the Detroit Red Wings. While the rebuilding club struggled to end a franchise-worst nine-year playoff drought, the 23-year-old winger tallied a career-best, team-leading 80 points last season.
A talented, smart, swift-skating playmaker, Raymond made significant strides during his previous four NHL seasons, sitting second among Red Wings scorers with 254 total points. That includes a career-best 31 goals in 2023-24 along with last season's career high in points.
Entering his fifth NHL campaign, Raymond has yet to reach his full potential as a scoring winger. He could reach 90 points, which could help lift the Wings into the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
22. Los Angeles Kings: Adrian Kempe
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Since 2006-07, Anze Kopitar has been the Los Angeles Kings' most consistent offensive player, and certainly their best two-way forward. However, with the 37-year-old Kopitar in the twilight of his NHL career, Adrian Kempe has emerged as the Kings' best forward.
A talented, swift-skating, hard-shooting winger, Kempe's breakout performance came with his 35-goal season in 2021-22. Since then, the 28-year-old winger has led his club in total goals with 139 and sits second in total points with 269.
Kempe is entering the final season of his contract and is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next July. Another season with 30-plus goals and 70-or-more points will not only ensure he gets a lucrative new contract, but will further cement his place as the Kings' top forward this season.
21. Carolina Hurricanes: Sebastian Aho
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Since 2018-19, the Carolina Hurricanes have reached the Eastern Conference Final three times and finished first or second in the division five times. Entering 2025-26, they should be considered among the favorites to win the Stanley Cup.
Sebastian Aho played a significant role in the Hurricanes' performance during that period. Since his NHL debut in 2016-17, he's been their leading scorer seven times and finished second twice. As the 28-year-old center approaches his 10th NHL campaign, he leads all Hurricanes scorers over the last nine seasons with 631 points.
Rising two-way winger Seth Jarvis could soon challenge Aho as the Hurricanes' top forward. For now, however, Aho's consistency, experience, and reliability ensure that he remains in that role for the 2025-26 season.
20. St. Louis Blues: Robert Thomas
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A skillful two-way playmaking center, Robert Thomas has secured his place as the first-line center for the St. Louis Blues. Since his 77-point breakout season in 2021-22, the 26-year-old leads the Blues with 224 total assists and 309 points. He's also their leader in total takeaways with 219.
Thomas' best season was his 86-point performance in 2023-24. He missed 12 games to injury last season but still finished with a team-leading 81 points. He also finished third in playoff points with eight.
The Blues have been retooling their roster, attempting to return to Stanley Cup contention after struggling in recent years. They will rely on Thomas' skills more than ever this season.
19. Utah Mammoth: Clayton Keller
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Toiling in obscurity for years with the Arizona Coyotes, Clayton Keller would garner far more recognition among the league's best forwards if he played in a bigger NHL market. The club's relocation to Utah in 2024 and its potential as a playoff contender this season could make him a more visible star.
A swift-skating play-making left wing, the 27-year-old Keller's production has significantly improved over the past four seasons, reaching 63 points in 2021-22, 86 points in 2022-23, and 76 points in 2023-24. Last season, he had a career high of 90 points to lead Utah in scoring.
The rebuilding Mammoth missed the 2025 postseason by only eight points. They will look to Keller to lead the way offensively as they push for a playoff berth this season. Now in his playing prime, he could reach 90 or more points again.
18. Nashville Predators: Filip Forsberg
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Since his 63-point breakout performance in 2014-15, Filip Forsberg has been the Nashville Predators' most reliable scoring forward. Over that period, he led them in scoring five times and never finished lower than third in the other seasons. He's their leader in total goals (317) and points (675).
That includes a career-best 48-goal, 94-point performance in 2023-24, and a 42-goal, 84-point effort in 2021-22. While the Predators had a horrible 2024-25 campaign, the 31-year-old Forsberg still led the way with 31 goals and 76 points in 82 games.
The Predators will attempt to rebound this season from their disastrous effort in 2024-25. A healthy and productive Forsberg will play a big part in that effort.
17. Buffalo Sabres: Tage Thompson
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It's been 14 long years since the Buffalo Sabres last clinched a postseason berth. They'll need a significant effort from all hands this season to finally end that record-setting streak.
That includes a big performance from Tage Thompson. The 6'6", 220-pound winger tallied a career-best 47-goal, 94-point performance in 2022-23 as the Sabres narrowly missed the playoffs. He overcame an injury-hampered 56-point effort in 2023-24 with a team-leading 44 goals and 72 points last season.
Over the last three seasons, Thompson established himself among the NHL's elite goal scorers. If he can stay healthy and exceed 40 goals and 80 points again, it could help the Sabres finally break their postseason drought.
16. Montreal Canadiens: Nick Suzuki
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Since his NHL debut in 2019-20, Nick Suzuki has steadily developed into the Montreal Canadiens' top all-around forward. Over that time, he has become their leader with 138 goals, 237 assists, and 375 points. The 25-year-old Canadiens captain has also elevated his game, establishing himself as a reliable first-line center.
Suzuki's offensive output has consistently increased, from 41 points in his first two seasons to 89 points last season, coming within a point of becoming the first Canadien to reach the 90-point plateau since Vincent Damphousse and Pierre Turgeon in 1995-96.
The ongoing development of Suzuki played a key role in the rebuilding Canadiens exceeding expectations by qualifying for the playoffs last season. Entering the prime of his career, the best remains ahead for the durable Habs captain.
15. New York Rangers: Artemi Panarin
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Since joining the New York Rangers in 2019 as an unrestricted free agent, Artemi Panarin has established himself among the NHL's superstars. Over that period, the 33-year-old left winger sits fourth among all NHL scorers in total assists with 364 and total points with 550.
That includes four seasons with 92-plus points, including a career-best 49 goals and 120 points in 2023-24 as the Rangers won the Presidents' Trophy that season. Panarin also helped the Rangers reach the Eastern Conference Final in 2022 and 2024.
Panarin is in the final season of his contract and eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July. His production slipped to 89 points last season, but he remains the Rangers' top forward heading into this season. His performance will factor into their hopes of rebounding from a disappointing 2024-25 campaign.
14. Washington Capitals: Alex Ovechkin
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Turning 40 on Sept. 17, Alex Ovechkin is in the twilight of his great NHL career. However, he refuses to let age slow him down, reaching the 40-goal plateau (44) for the league-leading 14th time in his 20-year career while setting the league's all-time goal record with 897.
Ovechkin is unquestionably the greatest goal scorer in NHL history and the greatest player in Capitals history. He doesn't intend to rest on his laurels, as he is now motivated to win his second Stanley Cup.
Age remains Ovechkin's enemy in his quest, and his performance and production could decline this season. As long as he still possesses his lethal one-timer, we can't rule out the possibility of another 40-goal season.
13. Ottawa Senators: Brady Tkachuk
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The Ottawa Senators ended a seven-year playoff drought last season. It was a team effort, one they hoped to build on going forward. However, the leadership and physical play of team captain Brady Tkachuk played a key role in their rise to postseason contention.
Tkachuk isn't the most skillful Senators' forward. That honor goes to center Tim Stützle, who is their overall leader with 211 assists and 326 points since 2020-21. However, Tkachuk's team-leading 148 goals over that period, combined with his agitating physical style, have placed him among the game's best power forwards.
Nagging injuries limited Tkachuk to 29 goals and 55 points last season. When healthy, he's a proven 30-goal scorer who reached a career-high 83 points in 2022-23. His willingness to do whatever it takes to win makes him the heart and soul of the Senators.
12. New Jersey Devils: Jack Hughes
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Chosen first overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2019 NHL Draft, Jack Hughes has become a scoring star despite being hampered by injuries. Jesper Bratt leads all Devils scorers with 317 total points in 321 games since 2021-22, but Hughes is second with 299 points in 70 fewer games.
That includes Hughes' career-best 43 goals and 56 assists for 99 points in 2022-23, setting the Devils' single-season points record as they rolled to a franchise-best 112-point performance. Despite missing 20 games in each of the last two seasons, the 24-year-old center still managed 74 and 70 points, respectively.
Hughes is an undeniably gifted game-breaking star. While his injury history is a concern, there's no question that he's the Devils' best forward when healthy.
11. Pittsburgh Penguins: Sidney Crosby
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Entering his 21st NHL season, Pittsburgh Penguins captain and future Hall-of-Famer Sidney Crosby is in the twilight of his playing career. However, he remains among the game's elite superstars, finishing 10th among all scorers last season with 91 points.
What's remarkable is that Crosby continues to perform at a high level in his late 30s on a team whose glory days are well behind them. The Penguins are rebuilding, even if management won't say it out loud, but their captain continues to give his best in every game, trying to carry them back into the playoffs.
Now 38 and under contract through 2026-27, Crosby remains committed to playing for the Penguins despite speculation from pundits trying to link him to playoff contenders. Age and the Penguins' rebuilding roster could affect his stats this season, but he will still shine as their top forward.
10. Florida Panthers: Aleksander Barkov
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The best two-way forward on this ranking, Aleksander Barkov won the Frank J. Selke Trophy last season, taking home that award for the third time since 2020-21. He also captained the Florida Panthers to their third straight Stanley Cup Final and their second straight championship.
Barkov is only the sixth player in NHL history to win the Selke Trophy at least three times. The 29-year-old center has also been among the most consistent scorers in Panthers history, leading the franchise with 286 goals, 496 assists, and 782 points. Since 2015-16, he's never finished lower than third in team scoring.
Entering his 13th NHL season, the pressure will be on Barkov to lead the Panthers to become the first team since the 1982 New York Islanders to win three straight Stanley Cups. Given his ability to handle the long seasons and short offseasons of the past three years, it would be foolish to bet against him.
9. Winnipeg Jets: Kyle Connor
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The Winnipeg Jets have two terrific first-line forwards with center Mark Scheifele and winger Kyle Connor. While Scheifele is the franchise goal leader (336) and is nine points away from breaking the points record (812), Connor has exceeded him in recent years with his offensive output.
Since Connor's 31-goal, 57-point performance in 2017-18, he and Scheifele have the same amount of points with 577. However, the 28-year-old left winger sits eighth among NHL scorers with 282 goals. He's also led the Jets in scoring in four of the last seven seasons, including 2024-25.
Now in his playing prime and in his contract year, Connor could match or exceed last season's career-best 97-point performance. He'll continue to be the Jets' top forward and among the league's best this season as the Jets attempt to remain among the Stanley Cup contenders.
8. Vegas Golden Knights: Jack Eichel
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Since his acquisition from the Buffalo Sabres in 2021, Jack Eichel has established himself as the top forward on the Vegas Golden Knights. Over that period, he led them in total points with 253.
Entrenched as the Golden Knights' first-line center, Eichel was their leading scorer in the 2023 postseason as they marched to their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. He set the single-season franchise records for assists (66) and points (94) in 2024-25.
Eichel could reach greater offensive heights this season with Mitch Marner as his right wing. A 40-goal, 100-point campaign is not out of the question for the 28-year-old Golden Knights' center.
7. Minnesota Wild: Kirill Kaprizov
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The most exciting offensive player in Minnesota Wild history, Kirill Kaprizov has been a dominating force on the scoresheet. With 386 points in 319 games, the 28-year-old winger leads all Wild scorers since his debut in 2020-21 and sits 15th among all NHL skaters over that time.
A dazzling scoring forward with a high hockey IQ and blazing speed, Kaprizov holds the franchise single-season record of 47 goals, 61 assists, and 108 points. He also had a 46-goal, 96-point performance in 2023-24.
Injuries limited Kaprizov to 56 points in 41 games last season, but there's no question he's the Wild's best forward and their brightest star. A healthy season could see him regain the heights of his career-best effort in 2022-23.
6. Dallas Stars: Mikko Rantanen
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Last season was a difficult one for Mikko Rantanen. After nearly 10 seasons with the Colorado Avalanche, the 28-year-old winger was traded in January to the Carolina Hurricanes. Six weeks later, he was shipped to the Dallas Stars, who immediately signed him to an eight-year, $96 million contract extension.
Since his 84-point breakout performance in 2017-18, Rantanen has been among the league's highest-scoring players, sitting eighth in total points with 667. Despite last season's upheaval, he still finished with 88 points in 82 games, including 22 postseason points during the Stars' run to the Western Conference Final.
A full season in Dallas should see Rantanen remain among the league's highest-scoring players. His presence should also ensure the Stars continue to be one of the league's top teams as they attempt to get past the Western Conference Final and contend for the Stanley Cup.
5. Toronto Maple Leafs: Auston Matthews
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A nagging upper-body injury hampered Auston Matthews' performance in 2024-25, limiting him to 26 goals and 59 points in 68 games. Nevertheless, the 27-year-old Toronto Maple Leafs center remains among the NHL's top forwards.
When healthy, Matthews is an elite goal scorer. Since his rookie season in 2016-17, the Maple Leafs captain has led all NHL skaters with 401 total goals. That includes six seasons with at least 40 goals, including two seasons with 60 or more tallies.
Matthews joins Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin as the only players to win the Maurice Richard Trophy at least three times. He will pursue his fourth Richard Trophy this season while attempting to lead the Maple Leafs to their first Stanley Cup since 1967.
4. Boston Bruins: David Pastrnak
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After the Boston Bruins' eight-year playoff run ended last season, management opted to retool the roster rather than rebuild. They will turn to their core of skilled veterans to carry the load as they attempt to rebound from their disappointing 2024-25 campaign, with David Pastrňák taking on a bigger leadership role.
Pastrňák is already among the NHL's elite scoring forwards, leading the ramshackle Bruins last season with 106 points and sitting fourth among all league scorers. Since his breakout performance in 2016-17, the 29-year-old winger sits fourth among all scorers with 366 goals and sixth in points with 780.
The Bruins are no longer the dominant club they were from 2017-18 to 2023-24. Nevertheless, they have a decent shot at contending for a playoff berth this season with a superstar like Pastrňák powering their offense.
3. Tampa Bay Lightning: Nikita Kucherov
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The Stanley Cup glory years have receded for the Tampa Bay Lightning, but they remain a solid playoff contender. They still possess significant forward depth with Brayden Point, Jake Guentzel, Anthony Cirelli, and Brandon Hagel, but it's superstar winger Nikita Kucherov who powers their offense.
Since 2017-18, Kucherov has reached or exceeded the 100-point plateau five times. The 32-year-old winger has won the Art Ross Trophy three times, including the last two seasons, and took home the Ted Lindsay Award in 2024-25. He's fourth overall among NHL scorers during that period with 760 total points.
Kucherov remains among the NHL's elite forwards despite his age and the Lightning's slow decline. Don't dismiss the possibility of him winning his fourth Art Ross Trophy this season.
2. Colorado Avalanche: Nathan MacKinnon
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Winner of the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2013-14, Nathan MacKinnon's breakout performance didn't occur until his 97-point performance in 2017-18. Over the past eight seasons, the Colorado Avalanche center reached or exceeded 93 points six times, including 111 or more points in each of the last three seasons.
During that period, MacKinnon led the Avalanche in scoring six times. He won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 2019-20, and the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Ted Lindsay Award in 2023-24. MacKinnon was among the driving forces behind the Avalanche's Stanley Cup run in 2021-22.
Since 2017-18, MacKinnon is second among NHL scorers with 517 assists and third with 809 points. The 29-year-old superstar is in the prime of his career and will be relied on to carry more of the offensive load for the Avalanche after Mikko Rantanen was traded away last season.
1. Edmonton Oilers: Connor McDavid
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Injuries limited center Connor McDavid to 67 games in 2024-25, but he still finished sixth among NHL scorers with 100 points. The Edmonton Oilers captain also led his team to their second-straight trip to the Stanley Cup Final before falling again to the Florida Panthers.
The decline in McDavid's production and his recent injury woes suggest the 28-year-old center is wearing down from his heavy workload. The Oilers may more carefully manage his minutes during the regular season to ensure he's well-rested for another Stanley Cup run next spring.
However, McDavid remains the NHL's top player. A healthier season for the Oilers captain could put him on pace to win his sixth Art Ross Trophy, his fourth Hart Memorial Trophy, and his fifth Ted Lindsay Award, though the elusive Stanley Cup remains the trophy that means the most to him.
Stats, standings, and trophy info via NHL.com. Additional info via Hockey-Reference.com.
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