These are the top 10 forwards in the National Hockey league heading into the 2025/2026 season:
1. Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning
Apr 30, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) skates with the puck against the Florida Panthers during the second period of game five of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Kucherov finished last season with 37 goals and 87 assists.
2. Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche
May 3, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) in action during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Colorado Avalanche in game seven of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
MacKinnon finished last season with 32 goals and 84 assists.
3. Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers
Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) reacts during the second period in game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Florida Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Draisaitl finished last season with 52 goals and 54 assists.
4. Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
Jun 14, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) controls the puck against Florida Panthers defenseman Gustav Forsling (42) during the third period in game five of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
McDavid finished last season with 26 goals and 74 assists.
5. David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins
Apr 13, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88) warms up before the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Pastrnak finished last season with 43 goals and 63 assists.
6. Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs
May 18, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) and forward Mitch Marner (16) take to the ice for warm up before game seven of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Florida Panthers at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Matthews finished last season with 33 goals and 45 assists.
7. Jack Eichel, Vegas Golden Knights
May 6, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (9) shoots against the Edmonton Oilers during the third period of game one of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Eichel finished last season with 28 goals and 66 assists.
8. Mitch Marner, Vegas Golden Knights
Nov 8, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Mitchell Marner (16) skates with the puck as Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore (27) tries to defend during the third period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Marner finished last season with 27 goals and 75 assists with the Maple Leafs.
9. Kyle Connor, Winnipeg Jets
May 9, 2025; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN;Winnipeg Jets left wing Kyle Connor (81) warms up before a game against the Dallas Stars in game two of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images
Connor finished last season with 41 goals and 56 assists.
10. Mikko Rantanen, Dallas Stars
May 29, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) in action during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Edmonton Oilers in game five of the Western Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Rantanen finished last season with 32 goals and 56 assists.
By Louis Friedl 
Angel Atienza-Romero