In a 2016 interview with Sportsnet, when Wayne Gretzky said that “the players today are better athletes” than when he played, with better equipment and coaching, he wasn’t exaggerating. From record-breaking point streaks to the explosive growth of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), today’s top athletes are pushing hockey into uncharted territory.
These elite players dominate their respective leagues and deliver unforgettable moments season after season. Here are the standout talents as of December 2025.
How the Rankings Were Determined
When analyzing performance, we consider scoring skills, playmaking ability, defensive reliability, special-teams contribution, and clutch moments. Players who consistently appear in MVP discussions or dominate statistical categories rank particularly well.
Beyond point totals, we analyzed on-ice influence – a player’s ability to lead, dictate tempo, create opportunities, and force opponents to adjust their defensive structure.
Finally, we pay attention to consistency. Anyone can have a great season, but the world’s best maintain elite standards for years. Durability and proven discipline play a pivotal role.
Top 7 Men’s Hockey Players in the World Right Now
#1 Connor McDavid (Canada, Edmonton Oilers)
Connor McDavid remains the undisputed number one. No active player matches his blend of explosive speed, creativity, and offensive vision. In 2023-24, he recorded an astonishing 132 points, including 100 assists, becoming the first player in three decades to hit triple digits.
Earlier in the 2024-25 campaign, he crossed the 1,000-point mark in just 659 games – the fourth-fastest in NHL history. A three-time Hart Trophy winner and five-time Art Ross champion, McDavid continues to set new standards.
He was widely dubbed the best junior hockey player early in his career and has lived up to the expectation. His ability to dominate playoff games saw him break the record for most assists in a single postseason in 2024.
#2 Nathan MacKinnon (Canada, Colorado Avalanche)
Nathan MacKinnon is the closest challenger to McDavid’s throne. Renowned for his incredible acceleration and physical playing style, he remains one of the league’s most feared offensive forces.
In 2024-25, he produced 116 points. That same season, he earned his 1,000th career point, joining an elite club of NHL greats. MacKinnon has also taken home the Hart Trophy, the Ted Lindsay Award, and played a central role in Colorado’s 2022 Stanley Cup triumph, cementing his legacy as a winner.
#3 Cale Makar (Canada, Colorado Avalanche)
Cale Makar is redefining what a defenceman can be in the modern game. With effortless skating, elite puck control, and the instincts of a forward, Makar has become the prototype for the next generation of blueliners.
The 2024-25 season marked another milestone. He delivered 92 points, including 30 goals, becoming the ninth defenceman in NHL history to hit the 30-goal mark. Makar already owns two Norris Trophies. His versatility and ability to control the tempo from the backend make him one of the most influential players in hockey today.
#4 Leon Draisaitl (Germany, Edmonton Oilers)
Another representative of the Edmonton Oilers, Leon Draisaitl, brings a mix of size, intelligence, and skill. He remains one of the league’s most complete offensive performers, capable of being a top-notch scorer and a playmaker.
He has great chemistry with Connor McDavid, but the duo is still short of the Stanley Cup. The 2024-25 season once again showcased his consistency: 52 goals, over 105 points, and another top-three finish in league scoring. The 2020 Hart Trophy winner has also set several franchise and league records, including the mark for most overtime goals in a single season.
#5 Nikita Kucherov (Russia, Tampa Bay Lightning)
One of the most technically gifted players in the world, Nikita Kucherov, continues to deliver at an elite level. In 2024-25, he recorded 121 points, winning his third Art Ross Trophy.
His 2019 Hart Trophy season remains one of the greatest offensive campaigns in league history, and his role in Tampa Bay’s back-to-back Stanley Cups only strengthens his legacy. Kucherov’s creativity is unmatched. He reads the game faster than most players can react, making him a constant threat on the power play.
#6 Sidney Crosby (Canada, Pittsburgh Penguins)
Sidney Crosby is one of the best Canadian hockey players of all time, and for some, he is No. 1. Even in the later stages of his career, Crosby continues to play at a level most players never reach.
With multiple Hart Trophies, Art Ross titles, and three Stanley Cups, his résumé has long been secure, yet he keeps performing consistently. Crosby became the youngest player in NHL history to reach 100 points in a season and remains one of the sport’s smartest two-way centres.
#7 Alexander Ovechkin (Russia, Washington Capitals)
Alexander Ovechkin’s place in history was solidified when he surpassed Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record in 2025, becoming the NHL’s greatest goal scorer with more than 895 goals. He had already owned the records for most power-play goals and most goals by a left winger.
Even at 40, he continues to be a dangerous scoring threat. A long-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner and Stanley Cup champion, Ovechkin’s unmatched shot and longevity make him one of the best hockey players of all time.
Top 7 Women’s Hockey Players in the World Right Now
The global women’s game has never been stronger. Here are the top performers as of 2025.
#1 Marie-Philip Poulin (Canada, Montréal Victoire)
Among women’s hockey players, Marie-Philip Poulin remains the No. 1. In the PWHL, she’s the all-time leading scorer with 49 points in 51 games (29G, 20A) and won the 2024-25 Billie Jean King MVP and Forward of the Year awards.
At the 2025 Worlds, she led the tournament with 12 points in seven games, earning MVP and IIHF Female Player of the Year.
#2 Hilary Knight (USA, Seattle)
Hilary Knight combines veteran resilience with elite production. She led the PWHL in scoring last season with 29 points, then signed for expansion side Seattle.
For the USA team, she owns a record 15 World Championship medals and has scored 161 goals in 243 appearances, extraordinary numbers for any era.
#3 Caroline Harvey (USA, Wisconsin)
Caroline Harvey is the rising two-way star on defence. At the 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship, she posted two goals and two assists in seven games with a +9 rating, earning Best Defenceman honours, as the U.S. captured gold. Her smooth skating and quick reads let her control pace and momentum while logging heavy minutes, showcasing impressive endurance for a young defender.
#4 Michelle Karvinen (Finland, Vancouver Goldeneyes)
Michelle Karvinen enters the PWHL with a stacked résumé. She is Finland’s all-time leading scorer with 62 points in major international play and has three Olympic bronze medals. Her SDHL years were filled with point-per-game seasons, and Vancouver signed her specifically to drive offence and locker-room culture.
#5 Jenni Hiirikoski (Finland, Luleå Hockey/MSSK)
Jenni Hiirikoski remains a legend of European women’s hockey. In the SDHL, she’s accumulated 404 points (107G, 297A) in 325 games, remarkable numbers for a defenceman and among the top all-time league totals. Across World Championships and Olympics, she’s anchored Finland’s blue line for over a decade, constantly taking top-pair and special-teams minutes.
#6 Lara Stalder (Switzerland, EV Zug/European Leagues)
Lara Stalder is the offensive engine of Swiss hockey. In the SDHL’s 2020-21 season, she exploded for 82 points in 36 games (31G, 51A) with Brynäs, leading the league in scoring by a wide margin.
Now starring for EV Zug in Switzerland’s SWHL, she continues to post dominant point-per-game numbers and captains the national team.
#7 Petra Nieminen (Finland, Luleå)
Petra Nieminen is the prototype modern power forward. In the SDHL, she’s already piled up 324 points (167G, 157A) in 237 regular-season games, including a 53-point, 30-goal campaign in 2022-23 and 45 points in 33 games in 2023-24. She was also the top scorer of the 2024-25 SDHL regular season, driving Luleå’s attack.
Evolving Trends in Modern Hockey
Modern hockey is evolving faster than ever, with agility becoming one of the game’s defining traits. Today’s top players must accelerate instantly, change direction under pressure, and maintain control in tight spaces. Training now focuses heavily on edge work, balance, and multi-directional movement.
Speed, Analytics, and Skill Development in the Men’s Game
The men’s game is increasingly shaped by advanced analytics and micro-skill development. Teams track puck touches, skating efficiency, and shot quality to refine strategy. This gives players better vision on the ice, allowing them to anticipate plays before they unfold.
Reaction-time drills and VR systems now help athletes process information faster and make split-second decisions. For example, the Colorado Avalanche use detailed xG and transition metrics to design systems that enhance Nathan MacKinnon’s speed and reactive playmaking.
Expansion of Professional Women’s Leagues and Global Visibility
Women’s hockey is undergoing a major breakthrough, driven by the growth of professional leagues like the PWHL and increased media coverage. Expansion teams in Vancouver and Seattle have opened new markets, while star players such as Marie-Philip Poulin and Hilary Knight now appear regularly on global broadcasts and digital platforms. These leagues offer better salaries, stronger development pathways, and a higher competitive standard.
