Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon lead way-too-early 2026 rankings

TL;DR

Way-too-early rankings for the 2026-27 NHL season highlight Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon as top players. These projections analyze player performance trends and will evolve with upcoming changes in the league.

Key points

Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon are top-ranked players.
Rankings are based on statistical trends from the past four seasons.
Free agency and the NHL draft will influence player rankings.
Projections include goals, assists, and other performance metrics.
Consider these rankings a starting point for the upcoming season.

Connor McDavidNathan MacKinnonNHL

Whether you're still basking in a fantasy hockey championship victory or wallowing in the agony of defeat, it's never too soon to start planning for next season.

These way-too-early rankings for 2026-27 are built on a projection model that analyzes each player's statistical trends over the past four seasons, weighted toward recent performance, and benchmarks them against comparable players at similar ages and ice time. For skaters, that means projecting goals, assists, shots, hits, blocked shots, and power-play production scaled to a full season. Goaltenders are projected using a blend of individual rate stats and team-level shot and save projections, then ranked alongside skaters using a value-above-replacement approach so their standing reflects genuine roster scarcity rather than raw point totals.

A lot will change between now and opening night in October. The playoff run matters, free agency will shuffle the deck and the NHL draft will introduce a new wave of prospects -- a couple of whom already appear on this list based on comparable rookie seasons from players who came before them.

Consider this a starting point, not a final word.

More: Dynasty rankings | Fantasy hockey awards | Stanley Cup Playoffs bets

Top 250 rankings for 2026-27

Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers, C1
Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche, C2
Macklin Celebrini, San Jose Sharks, C3
Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning, RW1
Evan Bouchard, Edmonton Oilers, D1
Nick Suzuki, Montreal Canadiens, C4

Q&A

What factors are considered in the 2026 NHL player rankings?

The rankings are based on a projection model analyzing players' statistical trends over the past four seasons, including goals, assists, and other performance metrics.

How will free agency impact the 2026 NHL rankings?

Free agency will shuffle player rosters, potentially affecting rankings as teams adjust their lineups and add new talent.

Which players are projected to be top performers in the 2026 NHL season?

Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon are highlighted as leading players in the way-too-early rankings for the 2026-27 NHL season.

What is the significance of the NHL draft for the 2026 rankings?

The NHL draft will introduce new prospects, some of whom may already be included in the rankings based on their comparable rookie seasons.