TSN’s annual Top 50 list of NHL players is set to be unveiled starting on Monday, but some very big names just missed the cut this year.
Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard and Montreal Canadiens defenceman Lane Hutson, the past two Calder Trophy winners, failed to crack this year’s list, while one of the NHL’s highest-paid players, Vancouver Canucks centre Elias Pettersson, also missed out after coming in at No. 27 last year.
Bedard, 20, captured the Calder Trophy in 2024 with the Blackhawks after scoring 22 goals with 61 points in 68 games. The 2023 first-overall pick didn’t take a step forward offensively last season, scoring 23 goals with 67 points in 82 games.
The North Vancouver, B.C., debuted on the top 50 list last year at No. 34.
Hutson is the reigning Calder Trophy winner after scoring six goals with 66 points in 82 games last season.
The 21-year-old broke records last season, as his 60 assists were the most by a rookie defenceman in Canadiens franchise history and tied Larry Murphy for the NHL record.
Despite being named rookie of the year, Hutson was also not invited to Team USA’s orientation camp in preparation for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
Pettersson had the worst offensive production of his NHL career last season. He scored 15 goals with 45 points in 64 games in the first year of his massive eight-year, $92.8 million contract.
Despite J.T. Miller, who Pettersson had a rift with, being traded to the New York Rangers Jan. 31, he still struggled and his season ended on March 22 with an oblique injury.
After last season, Pettersson was not among the first six players named to Team Sweden for the upcoming Olympics.
The Canucks have made the playoffs just twice since Pettersson debuted in 2018-19 and missed again in 2024-25.
The 26-year-old had a career season in 2022-23, scoring 39 goals with 102 points in 80 games.
“I know what I’m capable of,” Pettersson told NHL.com in August. “Actually, I haven’t thought about it, but for myself it’s revenge. I’m not happy with last season.”