A panel of experts ranked the best NHL players (and coaches) by position. Now ESPN's John Buccigross gives his take on the top 30 players overall.
Top 100 forwards | Top 50 defensemen | Top 25 goaltenders | Coaches
At #1 on #NHLrank is Sidney Crosby. Makes average players rich. Hockey genius who plays at high speed. Won scoring title by 17 pts last year
- John Buccigross (@Buccigross) November 21, 2014
At #2 on #NHLrank is @RealStamkos91. He wins MVP this year. Just 24 years old. If Vegas gave me odds I would say yes on 700 career goals.
- John Buccigross (@Buccigross) November 21, 2014
Jonathan Toews is at #3 on #NHLrank. Centerpiece of Hawk glory years that will never be repeated in Chicago. Flawless hockey treasure.
- John Buccigross (@Buccigross) November 21, 2014
At #4 on #NHLrank is John Tavares. Legit star that is ideal franchise centerpiece. Self-improver who sets a tone. Will lead team to playoffs
- John Buccigross (@Buccigross) November 21, 2014
At 5 on #NHLrank is Shea Weber. The NHL's Mr. Big Shot. Has yet to reach a Conference Final or win a Norris. In his 10th year in Nashville.
- John Buccigross (@Buccigross) November 21, 2014
6 on #NHLrank is Tuukka Rask. Gaudy numbers. Never under .900 sv % in regular season or playoffs. Only 27 years old. Long career ahead.
- John Buccigross (@Buccigross) November 21, 2014
At #7 is @dewyy8. Only 24 & is closing in on 500 NHL games and has 2 Cups, World Junior gold and Olympic gold. Emotional, big game player
- John Buccigross (@Buccigross) November 21, 2014
At 8 on #NHLrank is Duncan Keith. Best appreciated in person. Eats ice as he closes and covers like Darrelle Revis. 2 Norris/2 Cups=HOF.
- John Buccigross (@Buccigross) November 21, 2014
At 9 on #NHLrank is P.K. @PKSubban1. 4th highest D man on #NHLrank which is probably right. Amzaing skill & will hit. Clapbomb supreme.
- John Buccigross (@Buccigross) November 21, 2014
At 10 on #NHLrank is Erik Karlsson Best hand/flow combo in NHL. 86 points in last 99 games from blue line is astonishing. Defense optional
- John Buccigross (@Buccigross) November 21, 2014
At #11 on #NHLrank is Ryan Getzlaf. Nobody in NHL combines hands/size. Almost point per game career & brings it in playoffs. 1000/1000 guy
- John Buccigross (@Buccigross) November 21, 2014
At 12 is @HLundqvist30. 2nd highest goalie on #Nhlrank If he gets Cup he may become Mr. All Time Ranger. Ultra competitive and moss for days
- John Buccigross (@Buccigross) November 21, 2014
At #13 on #NHLrank Carey Price. 5 spots in front of Quick? No. Only 27. .900+ sv% every year. Got a Gold. Big talent & handles @CanadiensMTL
- John Buccigross (@Buccigross) November 20, 2014
At #14 on #NHLrank is Ryan Suter. Sturdy, steady, effortless excellence. Former @BadgerMHockey who is Wisconsin strong. Turns 30 in January.
- John Buccigross (@Buccigross) November 20, 2014
At #15 on #NHLrank is @88PKane. The Mayor of Dangle City is only 26. Calder & 2 Cups. Hockey savant with gross mitts. 1000g/1000pt HOFer.
- John Buccigross (@Buccigross) November 20, 2014
At 16 on #NHLrank is Corey Perry. Stealthily building a HOF resume. Gold Medal, Cup, Richard. Not sure he'll get to 500 but will be close.
- John Buccigross (@Buccigross) November 20, 2014
At #17 on #NHLrank Anze Kopitar. Three zone, dependable leader. Western Conference Bergeron. Will play 1000 games get 1000 points & be a HOF
- John Buccigross (@Buccigross) November 20, 2014
At #18 on #NHLrank is @JonathanQuick32. Will likely go down as best and most decorated US 'tender of all time. Only 28. Two Cups & a Smythe
- John Buccigross (@Buccigross) November 20, 2014
At #19 Alex Ovechkin. Could reach 700 career goals. Was playoff monster before last year. His teams have won 3 playoff series #NHLrank
- John Buccigross (@Buccigross) November 19, 2014
At #20 Evgeni Malkin. Interesting. 28 year old Hall of Fame lock at 21. Trophy case stuffed. Cup, Smythe, Calder, Hart, 2 Art Ross #NHLrank
- John Buccigross (@Buccigross) November 19, 2014
21 on #NHLrank is Tyler Seguin. Should be Top 5/Top 10 ptproducer for 10 years. Do that & he will end up in Hall. How will sleeve tats age?
- John Buccigross (@Buccigross) November 19, 2014
At #22 is Jamie Benn. A 5th round pick who was a consistend 20 goal scorer until Tyler Seguin came to town. Jumped to 34 goals last year.
- John Buccigross (@Buccigross) November 19, 2014
At #23 Patrice Bergeron. What a career. A Cup. Gold Medal. 2 Selke's. Establishes a culture of dedication. B's will retire number #NHLrank
- John Buccigross (@Buccigross) November 19, 2014
At #24 @28CGiroux. He's not point per game guy in regular season but he is in playoffs. I love that. Ultra competitor with A+ mitts #NHLrank
- John Buccigross (@Buccigross) November 19, 2014
At #25 on #NHLrank, Phil Kessel. Arguably most exciting player in the open ice with the puck. How does body of Will Ferrell go so fast?
- John Buccigross (@Buccigross) November 18, 2014
At 26 on #NHLRank is Alex Pietrangelo. Probably most under the radar and under appreciated player on this list. Sturdy, dependable, complete
- John Buccigross (@Buccigross) November 18, 2014
27 on #NHLRank: Zdeno Chara. Hall of Famer is 38 in March. One of Bruins most important players in franchise history. A grown up among boys
- John Buccigross (@Buccigross) November 18, 2014
At #28 on #NHLrank: Victor Hedman. Took a while but has arrived. Had 7 Pts in first 3 games this year before injury. 10-12 year run underway
- John Buccigross (@Buccigross) November 18, 2014
At 29 on #NHLRank, Zach Parise. An American hockey treasure. Hard to imagine Stanley Cup NOT over his head. Future HOFer. Every era player.
- John Buccigross (@Buccigross) November 18, 2014
At #30, Nathan MacKinnon. Off to a slow start but got off to slow start last year. Took off in games 39-63. Plays FAST. Was a playoff comet
- John Buccigross (@Buccigross) November 18, 2014