NHL Top Players: Nos. 30-21

NHL Network is getting ready for this season by ranking the top 50 players in the League. Researchers, producers and on-air personalities compiled the list, and players 30-21 were revealed Sunday in the seventh of a nine-part series. Here is the list:

30. Kyle Connor, F, Winnipeg Jets
Since the 2017-18 season, five NHL players have more goals than Connor (176). He set career highs in goals (47), assists (46) and points (93) last season, averaging 21:47 of ice time in 79 games. The 25-year-old left wing had 28 power-play points and tied for seventh in the NHL with three shorthanded goals. Connor was voted the Lady Byng Trophy last season, for sportsmanship, gentlemanly conduct and ability; he was assessed two minor penalties all season.
"He's been the (Jets) most consistent offensive producer," NHL Network analyst Ken Daneyko said. "He's a goal-scoring machine. ... The speed, the wicked shot with accuracy. He's a dynamic player and when the puck is on his stick, he makes things happen. Certainly Kyle Connor has been underrated over the years."

29. Mika Zibanejad, C, New York Rangers
Zibanejad had NHL career highs in assists (52), points (81), power-play points (28) and plus/minus rating (plus-30) in 81 games last season. The 29-year-old also led Rangers forwards in average ice time per game (19:38), including 2:59 on the power play and 1:50 while shorthanded. A seven-time 20-goal scorer, Zibanejad had 24 points (10 goals, 14 assists) in 20 Stanley Cup Playoff games to help New York advance to the Eastern Conference Final.
"He's kind of taken more responsibility, put it on his shoulder. He's become a real leader of that team," Daneyko said. "... He's a dynamic player, he's got a wicked one-timer when he sets up on the power play on the left side with that right-handed blast. ... I just like his progression over the last three years."

28. Matthew Tkachuk, F, Florida Panthers
Tkachuk, who was traded from the Calgary Flames on July 22, had an NHL career-high 104 points (42 goals, 62 assists) in 82 games last season and was third in the NHL with a plus-57 rating. The 24-year-old left wing led Calgary with 12 power-play goals and 29 power-play points. Tkachuk's 62 assists, 104 points, 75 even-strength points and 26 multipoint games each ranked second on the Flames.
"He can change a game whether it's offensively ... but he can also change a game by just drawing a penalty," Daneyko said. "... It's all about what [the Panthers] can do come playoff time and they feel they are a better team with Matthew Tkachuk in the lineup. ... He's that old-school, highly-skilled power forward that will just do whatever it takes to win."

27. Charlie McAvoy, D, Boston Bruins
McAvoy led the Bruins in average ice time per game (24:38) last season, a total that has increased each of the past four seasons. His plus-31 rating led Boston and his 56 points (10 goals, 46 assists) in 78 games led Bruins defensemen. The 24-year-old also topped Bruins defensemen in power-play points (21), game-winning goals (five) and blocked shots (130) and was second in hits (155). His 57.7 percent SAT percentage was fourth among Boston skaters to play at least 15 games. He is expected to be out until December after having surgery on his left shoulder June 3.
"Charlie McAvoy has developed, for me anyway, into one of the best defenseman in the National Hockey League, all around defenseman," Daneyko said. "He might not have as many points as some of the upper-echelon defenseman in the National Hockey League, but just everything he brings."

26. David Pastrnak, F, Boston Bruins
Pastrnak scored 40 goals last season, the second time in three seasons he has scored at least that many, and the sixth straight season he scored at least 20 goals. The 26-year-old right wing led the Bruins in power-play goals (15), game-winning goals (nine), and shots on goal (312). He was second on the Bruins in points (77) and averaged 18:36 of ice time in 72 games. Pastrnak's 215 goals in the NHL since 2016-17 rank fifth.
"He plays the game with heart and passion," Daneyko said. "He's just a prolific goal-scorer who can really shoot the puck. Great set of hands in tight. ... There's not much you can't love about him."

25. Sebastian Aho, C, Carolina Hurricanes
Aho led the Hurricanes in goals (37), assists (44), points (81), power-play goals (13) and game-winning goals (nine) in 79 games last season. The 25-year-old, who also led Carolina forwards in average ice time per game (18:57), has 287 points (129 goals, 158 assists) in 285 games the past four seasons.
"Great skating ability, vision. Just can do everything well," Daneyko said. "He's just that well-rounded player but he can go end-to-end with the best of them in the National Hockey League. Just that guy that is very dynamic. A real go-to guy for the Carolina Hurricanes."

24. Patrick Kane, F, Chicago Blackhawks
Kane, who was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in 2017, led the Blackhawks in points for the seventh straight time last season, when he had 92 points (26 goals, 66 assists), and averaged 21:49 of ice time in 78 games. Few players have been more dominant during the past decade as the 33-year-old right wing; he's scored at least 20 goals 14 times and at least 30 five times. A three-time Stanley Cup winner (2010, 2013, 2015), Kane leads the NHL in assists since entering the League in 2007-08 (750), is third in points (1,180) and fourth in goals (430).

"Ninety-plus points prove that he is not getting long in the tooth just yet," Daneyko said. "He still has four, five really good years left in him and any team in the National Hockey League that is a contender would love to add a Patrick Kane if that is at all possible."

23. Brad Marchand, F, Boston Bruins
The 34-year-old left wing led the Bruins with 80 points (32 goals, 48 assists) and 97 penalty minutes in 70 games last season. He had 25 multipoint games, 27 power-play points, six game-winning goals and a plus-16 rating. Of his 19:15 of ice time per game, which led Boston forwards, he played 3:24 on the power play and 1:38 shorthanded, scoring two shorthanded goals. Marchand ranks second in the NHL in goals since the 2013-14 season with 284, trailing Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals (409). He is expected to be out until November after having hip surgery May 27.
"He continues to be one of the elite forwards in the National Hockey League. A super pest," Daneyko said. "Nobody gets under the skin of the opponents like Brad Marchand. ... he changes games. ... He is such a key cog for the Boston Bruins."

22. Patrice Bergeron, C, Boston Bruins
Bergeron has been one of the best at his position for the past decade, winning the Selke Trophy as the best defensive forward last season for an NHL-record fifth time. The 37-year-old led the NHL in face-off wins (991), face-off winning percentage (61.9 percent; minimum 500 attempts), and SAT percentage (minimum 25 games), with Boston taking 65.1 percent of all shot attempts when he was on the ice at 5-on-5, the highest percentage of any player since the statistic was first recorded in 2009-10. Bergeron also was third on the Bruins with 65 points (25 goals, 40 assists) in 73 games.
"As good as it gets as far as a player that wins a big face-off, shuts down top players, kills penalties and yeah, puts up some pretty darn good numbers offensively as well," Daneyko said. "... I don't think there's been anybody all-around in the last 20 years as good as Patrice Bergeron has been for the Boston Bruins."

21. Artemi Panarin, F, New York Rangers
Panarin led the Rangers with 96 points (22 goals, 74 assists) in 75 games last season, his third with New York. He was second among Rangers forwards in average ice time per game (19:13) and first in power-play points (37). The 30-year-old left wing has 249 points (71 goals, 178 assists) in 186 games with the Rangers, ranking fifth in the NHL during that span, and his plus-71 rating is second among forwards behind Bergeron(plus-76). Panarin has 569 points (187 goals, 382 assists) in 508 regular-season games and has averaged more than 1.00 points per game in each of his past five seasons. He ranks third in the NHL in assists (382) since entering the League in 2015-16.
"Wizard with the puck. ... He's one of the more dynamic players in the League, he draws defenders to him," Daneyko said. "The element of deception, he's as good as anyone in the National Hockey League ... It's really hard to defend Artemi Panarin. He is a very special player offensively."