Top 5 NHL players to start a franchise with, & Connor McDavid isn’t ranked first

A Yahoo Sports article published on August 13, 2026, by Vin Santoro ranks the top 5 NHL players to build a franchise around, with Connor McDavid notably not ranked first. The piece explores whether teams should prioritize young talent, the league's current best player, a goalie, or a defenseman when selecting a cornerstone player. The specific rankings and players listed are discussed within the full article, which highlights the improving talent pool across the NHL.