Panarin, Sorokin, Nylander among NHL Network's top players, 40-31

NHL Network is getting ready for this season by ranking the top 50 players in the League right now. Researchers, producers and on-air personalities compiled their list, and players 40-31 were revealed on Sunday in the sixth of a nine-part series. Here is the list:

40. Evan Bouchard, D, Edmonton Oilers

Bouchard led NHL defensemen in assists (74) and points (95), and was fifth in goals (21) in 82 games last season. The 26-year-old was the third defenseman since 2000 with at least 95 points in a season (Erik Karlsson, 101, 2022-23; Roman Josi, 96, 2021-22), and it was the most points in a season by an Edmonton defenseman since Paul Coffey had 138 in 1985-86. However, he didn't ignore the defensive side of the game; Bouchard's plus-25 even-strength goal differential was the second best of his seven NHL seasons (plus-34 in 2023-24). He finished fourth in voting for the Norris Trophy as the League's top defenseman.

39. Artemi Panarin, F, Los Angeles Kings

The left wing, who turns 35 on Oct. 30, enters his 12th NHL season and first full season with the Kings. Panarin had 84 points (28 goals, 56 assists) in 78 games last season, including 27 (nine goals, 18 assists) after he was traded to Los Angeles by the New York Rangers on Feb. 4. He had two assists in his Kings debut, a 6-4 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights in Los Angeles on Feb. 25. The native of Korkino, Russia, is the third European player to have at least 40 assists in at least 11 consecutive seasons, joining Jaromir Jagr (12 straight from 1995-96 to 2007-08) and Peter Stastny (11 from 1980-81 to 1990-91). His 18 assists and plus-9 rating in 26 games following the trade each led the Kings, with his 27 points second to Adrian Kempe's 28. Since joining the NHL for the 2015-16 season, Panarin is fifth in points (954) and fourth in assists (624).

38. Leo Carlsson, C, Anaheim Ducks

It was an eventful offseason for Carlsson, who signed a five-year, $90 million offer sheet with the Philadelphia Flyers before the Ducks matched the offer. The 21-year-old center set NHL career highs in goals (29), assists (38), points (67), power-play points (18) and shots on goal (193). Carlsson also proved his worth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in 12 games, which tied for second on the Ducks. The No. 2 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, Carlsson has improved each season but has yet to play a full season because of injuries.

37. Tim Stutzle, C, Ottawa Senators

Stutzle had 83 points last season, including 34 goals in 80 games. He had 29 power-play points, the fifth straight season with at least 20, and was a plus-player for the first time (plus-7). The 24-year-old center also won 53.0 percent of his face-offs, the best of his career. Since his rookie season of 2020-21, Stutzle leads the Senators in assists (260), points (409) and power-play points (145). and is second in goals (149) behind Brady Tkachuk (170), who was traded to the Florida Panthers on June 21. Among those in Stutzle's draft class (2020), he is first in goals, assists, points and power-play points.

36. Sebastian Aho, C, Carolina Hurricanes

The 29-year-old center has enjoyed a memorable year. Aho had six points (four goals, two assists) in six games for Team Finland at the 2026 Winter Olympics to help it win bronze, then had 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in 19 playoff games to help Carolina win the Stanley Cup. He scored 27 goals last season, the 10th straight he had at least 20, and finished with 80 points for the fourth time. He had 27 power-play points and six short-handed points, tied for second in the League. He has been clutch with at least 10 points in each of his first eight playoff appearances, the only NHL player to do so.

35. Ilya Sorokin, G, New York Islanders

Sorokin was 29-24-2 with a 2.68 goals-against average, .906 save percentage and led the NHL with seven shutouts in 55 games last season. The 31-year-old allowed two or fewer goals 21 times and had 16 games with at least 30 saves. Sorokin led the NHL in high-danger saves (452) and high-danger save percentage (.864) last season, according to NHL EDGE stats. The runner-up for the Vezina Trophy last season, he has been a top-six finalist in four of the past five seasons. Sorokin's 26 shutouts are the most in the League since the 2021-22 season, and his .915 save percentage since then is tied for second.

34. Kyle Connor, F, Winnipeg Jets

Connor had 92 points (team-high 39 goals, 53 assists) and played all 82 games for the second consecutive season and represented Team USA at the Olympics. The 29-year-old left wing is five goals away from tying Ilya Kovalchuk (328 goals) for second in Jets/Atlanta Thrashers history, behind Mark Scheifele's 372. Connor has played his entire NHL career for Winnipeg after he was selected in the first round (No. 17) of the 2015 NHL Draft. He signed an eight-year, $96 million contract ($12 million average annual value) on Oct. 8, 2025, after leading the Jets and setting NHL career highs in points (97) and assists (56).

33. Mark Scheifele, C, Winnipeg Jets

Scheifele had the best season of his career by topping 100 points for the first time (103) with a career-best 67 assists. He scored 36 goals, the third time in four seasons he's had at least that many and has at least 20 goals in 11 consecutive seasons. The 33-year-old center also became the Jets/Atlanta Thrashers all-time leader in points (907) and games (961) last season. He had at least one point in 56 games, including 35 multipoint games.

32. William Nylander, F, Toronto Maple Leafs

Nylander led Toronto in assists (49) and points (79) last season, with his 30 goals second behind John Tavares (31). The 30-year-old right wing is eight goals from becoming the sixth Maple Leafs player with 300, nine points from being the eighth with 700 and one assist from 400 (ninth). Nylander played for Team Sweden at the Olympics (four points; two goals, two assists in five games) in February and at the 4 Nations Face-Off in 2025. His 15th overtime goal in the NHL, which gave Toronto a 2-1 win at the Columbus Blue Jackets on Nov. 26, 2025, passed Auston Matthews and Mats Sundin for the most in team history. Nylander scored No. 16 in a 4-3 victory at the Colorado Avalanche on Jan. 12. The No. 8 pick in the 2014 NHL Draft, he signed an eight-year, $92 million contract ($11.5 million AAV) with the Maple Leafs on Jan. 8, 2024.

31. Cole Caufield, F, Montreal Canadiens

Caufield scored his 50th goal of the 2025-26 season in a 2-1 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Bell Centre in Montreal on April 9 to become the seventh player in Canadiens history with 50 goals in a season and first since Stephane Richer scored 51 in 1989-90. His NHL career high of 88 points in 81 games helped Montreal clinch a playoff berth, and his 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in 19 postseason games played a part in the Canadiens advancing to the Eastern Conference Final, a five-game loss to the Hurricanes. The 25-year-old right wing then won the Lady Byng Trophy, given annually to the player voted best to combine sportsmanship, gentlemanly conduct and ability by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. He took seven minor penalties and had 14 penalty minutes while averaging 18:11 of ice time per game, fewest among top-25 players in scoring.