The Best NHL Players in the 2016-17 Season from A to Z
Last summer, we examined the best NHL players for 2015-16 from A to Z, based upon the first letter of their last names. It's worthwhile to update the list for 2016-17 to include players, such as Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane, who didn't make the cut a year ago.
In this slideshow, we'll examine the factors justifying why the selected players are on this list. A list of honorable mentions are also included for each letter. As with last year's list, the letters U and X are excluded due to a lack of noteworthy talent.
You can weigh in with your thoughts on this topic in the comments section below.
Jake Allen, St. Louis Blues
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Why he's here
In two short seasons, goaltender Jake Allen moved into the full-time starter's job with the St. Louis Blues. In 44 starts in 2015-16, Allen compiled a record of 26 wins, 15 losses and three overtime losses. He had a solid goals-against average of 2.35 and a save percentage of .920. His six shutouts had him tied for second among the league leaders.
Outlook for 2016-17
With the team having traded Brian Elliott to the Calgary Flames in June, Allen is the Blues' undisputed starting goaltender. He now has an opportunity to build upon last season's performance and blossom into one of the league's top netminders.
Honorable mentions
Justin Abdelkader, Detroit Red Wings; Frederik Andersen, Toronto Maple Leafs; Craig Anderson, Ottawa Senators; Artem Anisimov, Chicago Blackhawks; Cam Atkinson, Columbus Blue Jackets.
Jamie Benn, Dallas Stars
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Why he's here
Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn was the NHL's top left wing in 2015-16. Winner of the Art Ross Trophy in 2014-15, Benn was runner-up for the scoring title in 2015-16 with 89 points in 82 games. He was also selected to the First All-Star Team for the second time in his career and was a finalist for the 2016 Hart Memorial Trophy.
Outlook for 2016-17
Having established himself as an elite NHL player, the 27-year-old Benn should remain a serious contender for the Art Ross and Hart Trophies. A complete forward who plays a physical two-way game, Benn will once again be the leading light for the rising Stars.
Honorable mentions
David Backes, Boston Bruins; Nicklas Backstrom, Washington Capitals; Aleksander Barkov, Florida Panthers; Tyson Barrie, Colorado Avalanche; Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins; Ben Bishop, Tampa Bay Lightning; T.J. Brodie, Calgary Flames; Brent Burns; San Jose Sharks; Dustin Byfuglien, Winnipeg Jets.
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
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Why he's here
After a slow start to the 2015-16 season, Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby led his club to a Stanley Cup championship. His 85 points in 80 games, he ranked third among the league scoring leaders. He was a finalist for the 2016 Hart Memorial Trophy and was named to the First All-Star Team. Crosby was also awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the 2016 playoff MVP.
Outlook for 2016-17
Entering his 12th NHL season, the 29-year-old Crosby remains the face of the NHL and one of its top centers. While last season's slow start could be seen as a sign of decline, his strong finish indicates he has plenty of quality hockey left in him. Expect a more consistent performance from Crosby this coming season.
Honorable mentions
John Carlson, Washington Capitals; Jeff Carter, Los Angeles Kings; Logan Couture, San Jose Sharks; Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks.
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Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings
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Why he's here
Since his sophomore campaign in 2009-10, Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings has proved himself to be one of the NHL's top defensemen. He was finally honored for his efforts this year, winning the James Norris Memorial Trophy. The 26-year-old blueliner was also named to the 2016 NHL First All-Star Team. His 51 points in 2015-16 marked the second time he's reached the 50-point plateau.
Outlook for 2016-17
Doughty is the workhorse of the Kings blue line. Averaging 28 minutes and one second of time on ice per game, he finished third among the league leaders in that category. Doughty's outstanding two-way game will remain invaluable to the Kings' pursuit of a third Stanley Cup title in six seasons.
Honorable mentions
Max Domi, Arizona Coyotes; Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers; Brandon Dubinsky, Columbus Blue Jackets; Matt Duchene, Colorado Avalanche.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Arizona Coyotes
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Why he's here
Oliver Ekman-Larsson of the Arizona Coyotes is among the NHL's best defensemen. In 2015-16, he reached the 20-goal mark (21) for the second time and the 50-point plateau (55) for the first time. The skilled Swede finished seventh among NHL blueliners in points. He also topped the Coyotes in points and ice time (24 minutes and 46 seconds) per game.
Outlook for 2016-17
Ekman-Larsson remains the anchor of the rebuilding Coyotes' defense corps. His puck-moving ability ensures he'll continue to be an invaluable part of their offensive attack. He will be expected to provide leadership to his young teammates as they push for a playoff berth this coming season.
Honorable mentions
Jordan Eberle, Edmonton Oilers; Jack Eichel, Buffalo Sabres; Aaron Ekblad, Florida Panthers; Brian Elliott, Calgary Flames; Loui Eriksson, Vancouver Canucks.
Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators
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Why he's here
Left wing Filip Forsberg is a rising young scoring star with the Nashville Predators. Following a 63-point rookie performance in 2014-15, Forsberg tallied 33 goals and 31 assists for 64 points in 2015-16. He led the Predators in goals and points and ranked among the league's top 15 goal scorers.
Outlook for 2016-17
Forsberg, who turns 22 on Aug. 13, is an invaluable part of the Predators offense. He's yet to reach his playing peak. Skating alongside center Ryan Johansen for a full season should provide a substantial boost to Forsberg's stats. He could flirt with 40 goals and 75 points in 2016-17.
Honorable mentions
Robby Fabbri, St. Louis Blues; Justin Faulk, Carolina Hurricanes; Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh Penguins; Cam Fowler, Anaheim Ducks.
Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary Flames
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Why he's here
In just two full NHL seasons, Calgary Flames left wing Johnny Gaudreau has emerged as a scoring star. He followed up his 64-point rookie campaign of 2014-15 with a 30-goal, 78-point performance in 2015-16. He led the Flames in scoring and finished seventh in the league scoring race.
Outlook for 2016-17
Despite his 5'9", 157-pound frame, the diminutive Gaudreau can handle the rigors of the big league game. He will continue to be a foundation player for the rebuilding Flames. Turning 23 on Aug. 13, Gaudreau still has considerable offensive upside. An 80-point effort in '16-17 isn't out of the question.
Honorable mentions
Alex Galchenyuk, Montreal Canadiens; Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks; Mark Giordano, Calgary Flames; Claude Giroux and Shayne Gostisbehere, Philadelphia Flyers.
Braden Holtby, Washington Capitals
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Why he's here
Over the last two seasons, Braden Holtby of the Washington Capitals became one of the NHL's best starting goaltenders. In 2015-16, the 26-year-old led the NHL in wins (48) to tie the league's single-season record. He was also among the league leaders in goals-against average (2.20) and save percentage (.922). For his efforts, Holtby was awarded the Vezina Trophy.
Outlook for 2016-17
Thanks in part to Holtby, the Capitals won the 2015-16 Presidents' Trophy as the NHL's top regular-season club. His stellar goaltending will remain crucial in their push to win their first Stanley Cup title in franchise history. Now in his playing prime, Holtby will be a contender this season for the Vezina Trophy.
Honorable mentions
Taylor Hall and Adam Henrique, New Jersey Devils; Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning; Tomas Hertl, San Jose Sharks; Mike Hoffman, Ottawa Senators; Patric Hornqvist, Pittsburgh Penguins; Jonathan Huberdeau, Florida Panthers.
Jarome Iginla, Colorado Avalanche
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Why he's here
Colorado Avalanche right wing Jarome Iginla is the only notable active NHL player whose last name starts with the letter "I". While Iginla's best years are well behind him, he still tallied a respectable 22 goals and 47 points in 82 games last season. He's reached the 20-goal plateau in 17 of his 19 NHL seasons.
Outlook for 2016-17
Now 39, Iginla is no longer the dominant power forward of his youth. His 2015-16 stats were his lowest in a full season since his 13-goal, 32-point effort in 1997-98. Hockey fans should take the time to appreciate Iginla in 2016-17, as it is likely to be his final NHL campaign.
Honorable mentions
None. Iginla remains in a class by himself.
Roman Josi, Nashville Predators
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Why he's here
Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi emerged from the shadow of Shea Weber in 2015-16. He finished second in points among Predators scorers (61) and led them in time on ice per game at 25 minutes and 29 seconds. Josi was also among the league leaders in ice time and finished fourth in points among NHL defensemen.
Outlook for 2016-17
Josi, 26, has steadily improved over his five NHL seasons. Now fully established as a top defenseman in his own right, he will only get better in 2016-17. Josi could be skating alongside recently acquired P.K. Subban, forming what could become one of the league's best defense pairings.
Honorable mentions
Jaromir Jagr, Florida Panthers; Boone Jenner and Seth Jones, Columbus Blue Jackets; Ryan Johansen, Nashville Predators; Tyler Johnson, Tampa Bay Lightning; Martin Jones, San Jose Sharks.
Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks
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Why he's here
Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane enjoyed a career-best performance in 2015-16. In 82 games, the 27-year-old tallied 46 goals and 60 assists for 106 points. He was the only player to reach 100 points. Kane also became the first American-born NHL player to win the Art Ross and Hart Memorial Trophies.
Outlook for 2016-17
Though Kane was already an NHL star entering 2015-16, he took his game to a new level. Now in his playing prime, he should remain among the league's leading scorers in 2016-17. Kane will continue to be a vital part of the Blackhawks' efforts to push for a fourth Stanley Cup title in eight years.
Honorable mentions
Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators; Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks; Phil Kessel, Pittsburgh Penguins; John Klingberg, Dallas Stars; Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings; David Krejci, Boston Bruins; Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning; Evgeny Kuznetsov, Washington Capitals.
Kris Letang, Pittsburgh Penguins
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Why he's here
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang was a key factor in his club's march to the 2016 Stanley Cup. The 29-year-old had a career-best performance with 16 goals and 51 assists for 67 points in 71 games. He finished second among Penguins scorers and third in scoring among NHL blueliners. Letang also netted 15 points in 23 playoff games.
Outlook for 2016-17
Letang is the linchpin of the Penguins' defense corps. Averaging 26 minutes and 56 seconds in ice time per game last season, he will continue to log big minutes in 2016-17. His injury history will remain a concern. As long as he stays healthy, he will continue to rank among the league's top defensemen.
Honorable mentions
Andrew Ladd, New York Islanders; Gabriel Landeskog, Colorado Avalanche; Dylan Larkin, Detroit Red Wings; Hampus Lindholm, Anaheim Ducks; Milan Lucic, Edmonton Oilers; Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers and Roberto Luongo, Florida Panthers.
Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
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Why he's here
Despite losing half of his rookie season to a shoulder injury, Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid still played well enough to become a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy. Netting 48 points in just 45 games, the 19-year-old finished third among Oilers scorers and fourth among the rookie scoring leaders.
Outlook for 2016-17
McDavid gave a tantalizing glimpse last season of what he's capable of when healthy. Had he not suffered that shoulder injury, he might have finished among the league's leading scorers. A generational talent, McDavid has only scratched the surface of his immense potential. In the coming season, he should emerge as one of the NHL's leading stars.
Honorable mentions
Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche; Evgeni Malkin and Matt Murray, Pittsburgh Penguins, Brad Marchand, Boston Bruins; Ryan McDonagh, New York Rangers; Sean Monahan, Calgary Flames.
James Neal, Nashville Predators
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Why he's here
Playing a full 82 games for the first time in his NHL career, Nashville Predators right wing James Neal tallied 31 goals and 58 points in 2015-16. Those numbers were among the best single-season totals of his career. He also finished second among Predators scorers in goals and third in points.
Outlook for 2016-17
Neal will continue to be a key part of the Predators offense. He will likely spend the coming season skating on the Predators' top line alongside center Ryan Johansen and left wing Filip Forsberg. Another healthy campaign could see the 28-year-old approach or exceed his 2015-16 totals.
Honorable mentions
Rick Nash, New York Rangers; Brock Nelson, New York Islanders; Michal Neuvirth, Philadelphia Flyers; Frans Nielsen, Detroit Red Wings; Matt Niskanen, Washington Capitals; Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Edmonton Oilers.
Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
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Why he's here
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin remains the NHL's top goal scorer. In 2015-16, the 30-year-old sniper netted 50 goals for the seventh time in his career. He was also the only player to reach the 50-goal mark last season. Ovechkin won the Maurice Richard Trophy for the sixth time.
Outlook for 2016-17
Entering his 12th NHL campaign, Ovechkin remains the favorite to win the Richard Trophy. The Capitals captain is the mainstay of his club's offense. Turning 31 in September, Ovechkin's chances of winning the Stanley Cup could be narrowing. Expect him to be at the top of his game as he attempts to lead his club to a championship this season.
Honorable mentions
Ryan O'Reilly and Kyle Okposo, Buffalo Sabres; T.J. Oshie, Washington Capitals.
Joe Pavelski, San Jose Sharks
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Why he's here
After years of toiling in the shadow of Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks captain Joe Pavelski emerged with a strong performance in 2015-16. During the regular season, Pavelski led the Sharks in goals (38) and finished second in points with 78. In the playoffs, he led all scorers in goals (14) and game-winning goals (four).
Outlook for 2016-17
Pavelski's leadership and timely offense were key reasons behind the Sharks' march to the 2016 Stanley Cup Final. The 32-year-old is approaching the point in his career where production begins to decline. If last season is any indication, Pavelski still has plenty of quality hockey left in him. He should remain an offensive leader for the Sharks.
Honorable mentions
Max Pacioretty and Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens; Ondrej Palat, Tampa Bay Lightning; Kyle Palmieri, New Jersey Devils; Artemi Panarin, Chicago Blackhawks; Alex Pietrangelo, St. Louis Blues; Zach Parise, Minnesota Wild; Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks.
Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings
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Why he's here
Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick remains the most notable active player whose last name begins with the letter "Q". He's also among the NHL's top goaltenders. In 2015-16, Quick was second in wins with 40. That was also a career high for him. His 2.22 goals-against average was seventh-best among NHL starters.
Outlook for 2016-17
Quick is firmly entrenched as the Kings' starting goaltender. The 30-year-old should continue posting solid numbers in 2016-17. With Quick on top of his game, the Kings should once again contend for a playoff berth in the very competitive Western Conference.
Honorable mentions
None. Quick stands alone in this category.
Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators
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Why he's here
Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne overcame an inconsistent first half of 2015-16 to finish the season with 34 wins in 66 starts. That placed him ninth among NHL goalies last season. He also backstopped the Predators to within one game of reaching the 2016 Western Conference Final.
Outlook for 2016-17
Rinne turns 34 in November, and his struggles last season suggest he's now in decline. His performance will be under close scrutiny in 2016-17. If the Predators hope to stage a Stanley Cup run next spring, Rinne must have a strong bounce-back performance.
Honorable mentions
Tuukka Rask, Boston Bruins; Victor Rask, Carolina Hurricanes; Sam Reinhart and Rasmus Ristolainen, Buffalo Sabres; Morgan Rielly, Toronto Maple Leafs; Tobias Rieder, Arizona Coyotes; Bobby Ryan, Ottawa Senators.
Tyler Seguin, Dallas Stars
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Why he's here
Dallas Stars center Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn form one of the best one-two scoring punches in the NHL. In 72 games last season, Seguin netted 33 goals and 40 assists for 73 points. He finished second in scoring on the Stars. Had he not been sidelined by a late-season injury, the 24-year-old Seguin would've finished among the NHL's top 10 scorers.
Outlook for 2016-17
Expect Seguin and Benn to continue leading the Stars' offensive attack. Over the last two seasons, injuries have prevented him from reaching his full potential. With good health in 2016-17, Seguin could challenge for the scoring title.
Honorable mentions
Brandon Saad, Columbus Blue Jackets; Mark Scheifele, Winnipeg Jets; Cory Schneider, New Jersey Devils; Jaden Schwartz and Kevin Shattenkirk, St. Louis Blues; Brent Seabrook, Chicago Blackhawks; Daniel and Henrik Sedin, Vancouver Canucks; Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning; P.K. Subban, Nashville Predators.
Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks
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Why he's here
San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton played an invaluable role in helping his club advance to the 2016 Stanley Cup Final. During the regular season, Thornton led the Sharks in scoring with 82 points and finished fourth among the league leaders. He went on to finish fifth among postseason scorers with 21 points in 24 games.
Outlook for 2016-17
Thornton, who turned 37 in July, is at the point where most players consider retirement. Judging by his performance last season, he's a long way from hanging up his skates. It remains to be seen if he'll reach 80 points again, but he should continue to be one of the Sharks' offensive leaders in 2016-17.
Honorable mentions
Vladimir Tarasenko, St. Louis Blues; John Tavares, New York Islanders; Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks; Tyler Toffoli, Los Angeles Kings; Vincent Trocheck, Florida Panthers.
Jakub Voracek, Philadelphia Flyers
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Why he's here
Despite a significant drop in points from a career-best 81 in 2014-15 to 55 last season, Philadelphia Flyers right wing Jakub Voracek was still among his club's scoring leaders. He was second in assists (44) and power-play points (23). Voracek also finished fourth among Flyers scorers in points.
Outlook for 2016-17
Voracek undoubtedly felt the pressure of playing up to lofty expectations last season. Turning 27 on Aug. 15, he still has several quality years ahead of him. A bounce-back performance in 2016-17 isn't out of the question.
Honorable mentions
James van Riemsdyk, Toronto Maple Leafs; Semyon Varlamov, Colorado Avalanche; Sami Vatanen, Anaheim Ducks; Marc-Edouard Vlasic, San Jose Sharks.
Blake Wheeler, Winnipeg Jets
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Why he's here
Winnipeg Jets right wing Blake Wheeler enjoyed a career-best performance in 2015-16. He was the Jets' leading scorer, and his 52 assists ranked fifth among the league leaders. He also finished eighth in points with 78.
Outlook for 2016-17
Wheeler, who turns 30 on Aug. 31, is now at his playing peak as a first-line winger. He'll likely skate alongside center Mark Scheifele and either sophomore left wing Nikolaj Ehlers or promising rookie Patrik Laine. With linemates like those, Wheeler could enjoy another 70-plus point performance.
Honorable mentions
Shea Weber, Montreal Canadiens; Alexander Wennberg, Columbus Blue Jackets; Justin Williams, Washington Capitals.
Keith Yandle, Florida Panthers
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Why he's here
Florida Panthers defenseman Keith Yandle may be the only notable active player whose last name begins with "Y", but his performance is the reason he's on this list. His 47 points with the New York Rangers in 2015-16 marked the sixth time in his NHL career he's exceeded the 40-point plateau.
Outlook for 2016-17
Yandle is among the league's best puck-moving blueliners. A smooth-skating veteran with good two-way skills, he should be a solid addition to the promising Florida Panthers. He's an excellent replacement for Brian Campbell, who departed via free agency this summer.
Honorable mentions
None. Yandle stands alone among active NHL players in this category.
Mats Zuccarello, New York Rangers
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Why he's here
After suffering a skull fracture in the 2015 playoffs, New York Rangers right wing Mats Zuccarello returned in 2015-16 with the finest performance of his NHL career. His 26 goals, 35 assists and 61 points were all career highs. The 5'7", 179-pounder finished the season as the Rangers' leading scorer.
Outlook for 2016-17
What Zuccarello lacks in size, he makes up for with hard work, toughness and solid offensive skills. As the Rangers are going through a transition period, Zuccarello should remain among their most reliable scorers.
Honorable mentions
Travis Zajac, New Jersey Devils; Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit Red Wings; Mika Zibanejad, New York Rangers.
Players stats via NHL.com.
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