Alex Ovechkin (Image via AP) The NHL Network’s top 50 players list is one of the most anticipated features ahead of each season. Analysts, producers, and broadcasters work together to create the ranking. This offers a snapshot of current form and long-term impact, and the release of players ranked between 50 and 41 included established veterans and rising leaders. Here’s a closer look at five standouts who made this cut.
Ovi goes for 1,500th Point Tonight as Capitals face Robertson, Stars on ESPN
Alex Ovechkin and Jason Robertson shine for Capitals and Stars
Alex Ovechkin continues to cement his name in history. The Washington Capitals captain passed Wayne Gretzky last season with his 895th career goal and finished the year with 897. At nearly 40, he remains one of the league’s most dangerous scorers. And with 44 goals and 73 points in 2024–25. And his ability to sustain elite production. This makes him unique among his peers.Jason Robertson represents the next wave of star forwards. The Dallas Stars winger scored 35 goals and added 45 assists, totaling 80 points, while appearing in all 82 games. It was his third consecutive 80-point season, and at 26, he stands as the youngest player to achieve that streak. Robertson’s consistency makes him one of Dallas’s most dependable offensive options.
Clayton Keller and Brady Tkachuk step up for the Mammoth and the Senators
Clayton Keller made history as the first captain of the Utah Mammoth. The 27-year-old delivered a career-best season with 90 points, including 30 goals and 60 assists. Keller’s chemistry with Logan Cooley anchored Utah’s top line, and he reached the 500-point milestone in April. He has now posted three straight 30-goal seasons, underlining his reliability as a scorer.Brady Tkachuk powered the Ottawa Senators back into the playoffs for the first time in eight years. The captain tallied 29 goals in 72 games and was particularly effective on the power play. This sets a career-high with 14. In the postseason, he added four goals and three assists in six games against Toronto. Tkachuk’s physical style and leadership continue to shape Ottawa’s identity.
Clayton Keller Races Up The Ice & Cashes In On The Breakaway
Dylan Larkin leads the Detroit Red Wings with consistency
Dylan Larkin remains the centerpiece of the Detroit Red Wings. The 29-year-old center recorded his fourth straight 30-goal season, becoming just the ninth player in team history to do so. Larkin added 40 assists for 70 points while playing a full 82-game schedule. His leadership also extended internationally, where he helped Team USA reach the final at the 4 Nations Face-Off.As captain, Larkin has been vital in Detroit’s progress toward returning to contender status. With his mix of scoring, speed, and responsibility. Here, he represents both stability and ambition for the Red Wings as they push for a deeper playoff run.Also Read: Lauren Kyle, wife of Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers, shares her take on The Summer I Turned Pretty