NHL Player Tiers 2026-27: Connor McDavid is still the king, the kids are coming - The Athletic

The Athletic has released its 2026-27 NHL Player Tiers rankings, with Connor McDavid retaining his position as the top player in the league. The annual list ranks the 150 best NHL players across five tiers, including MVP cornerstones, franchise pillars, All-Star candidates, true stars, and elite support. Notably, 18-year-old rookie Matthew Schaefer earned the best rookie debut in Player Tiers history, highlighting a wave of emerging young talent.