The Best NHL Players of the 2020s

By position · peak seasons of the decade

The best NHL players of the 2020s — the forwards, blueliners and goaltenders who ruled the decade, ranked by peak season and adjusted for its scoring environment.

Top forwards

1. Connor McDavid Edmonton Oilers

   1 season sampled · peak 2022 · 64G 89A 153P · +22 · 82 GP
   94Peak
2. Johnny Gaudreau Calgary Flames

   2 seasons sampled · peak 2021 · 40G 75A 115P · +64 · 82 GP
   89Peak
3. Nathan MacKinnon Colorado Avalanche

   1 season sampled · peak 2023 · 51G 89A 140P · +35 · 82 GP
   92Peak
4. Matthew Tkachuk Calgary Flames

   2 seasons sampled · peak 2021 · 42G 62A 104P · +57 · 82 GP
   81Peak
5. Nikita Kucherov Tampa Bay Lightning

   1 season sampled · peak 2023 · 45G 101A 146P · +8 · 81 GP
   83Peak
6. Martin Necas Colorado Avalanche

   2 seasons sampled · peak 2025 · 40G 65A 105P · +49 · 78 GP
   79Peak
7. Jonathan Huberdeau Florida Panthers

   2 seasons sampled · peak 2021 · 31G 87A 118P · +36 · 80 GP
   78Peak
8. Aleksander Barkov Florida Panthers

   1 season sampled · peak 2021 · 48G 60A 108P · +44 · 67 GP
   79Peak
9. David Pastrnak Boston Bruins

   1 season sampled · peak 2022 · 61G 52A 113P · +34 · 82 GP
   78Peak
10. Auston Matthews Toronto Maple Leafs

    1 season sampled · peak 2023 · 70G 38A 108P · +31 · 81 GP
    77Peak
11. Elias Lindholm Calgary Flames

    2 seasons sampled · peak 2021 · 42G 40A 82P · +61 · 82 GP
    72Peak
12. Leon Draisaitl Edmonton Oilers

    1 season sampled · peak 2022 · 53G 78A 131P · +7 · 80 GP
    75Peak

On defense

1. Quinn Hughes Vancouver Canucks

   2 seasons sampled · peak 2023 · 17G 75A 92P · +38 · 82 GP
   64Peak
2. Cale Makar Colorado Avalanche

   1 season sampled · peak 2024 · 31G 64A 94P · +29 · 80 GP
   66Peak
3. Devon Toews Colorado Avalanche

   1 season sampled · peak 2021 · 16G 55A 71P · +65 · 66 GP
   64Peak
4. Evan Bouchard Edmonton Oilers

   1 season sampled · peak 2025 · 21G 74A 95P · +25 · 82 GP
   62Peak
5. Aaron Ekblad Florida Panthers

   1 season sampled · peak 2021 · 20G 56A 77P · +51 · 61 GP
   62Peak
6. Roman Josi Nashville Predators

   1 season sampled · peak 2021 · 24G 75A 98P · +13 · 80 GP
   59Peak
7. Shayne Gostisbehere Carolina Hurricanes

   4 seasons sampled · peak 2025 · 19G 55A 75P · +16 · 55 GP
   47Peak
8. Erik Karlsson San Jose Sharks

   2 seasons sampled · peak 2022 · 25G 76A 101P · -26 · 82 GP
   54Peak

In goal

1. Linus Ullmark Boston Bruins

   2 seasons sampled · peak 2022 · 40W · 1.89 GAA · .938 SV% · 2 SO
   81Peak
2. Connor Hellebuyck Winnipeg Jets

   1 season sampled · peak 2024 · 47W · 2.0 GAA · .925 SV% · 8 SO
   73Peak
3. Darcy Kuemper Los Angeles Kings

   3 seasons sampled · peak 2024 · 31W · 2.02 GAA · .922 SV% · 5 SO
   70Peak
4. Igor Shesterkin New York Rangers

   1 season sampled · peak 2021 · 36W · 2.07 GAA · .935 SV% · 6 SO
   75Peak
5. Scott Wedgewood Colorado Avalanche

   1 season sampled · peak 2025 · 31W · 2.02 GAA · .921 SV% · 4 SO
   73Peak

Other eras

Frequently asked questions