The anticipation surrounding the 2025-26 NHL season is palpable, as hockey’s brightest stars prepare to shape the league’s competitive and cultural landscape once again. Fans and analysts alike look beyond raw statistics, evaluating today’s top players by their influence on the ice and impact off it. The coming year promises pivotal moments in National Hockey League history with new records within reach and fresh faces poised to break through.
This season’s top six standouts—Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Leon Draisaitl, Auston Matthews, Cale Makar—and emerging leader Quinn Hughes, capture the spirit of modern hockey. Their performance, leadership, and marketability continue to redefine what it means to be an NHL superstar in a rapidly evolving global sports environment. From MVP and Norris Trophy races to dynamic contract negotiations, each player’s journey offers a window into the evolving game and its future direction.
Connor McDavid: Leading by Example
Few players dominate discussion and performance as thoroughly as Connor McDavid. Entering the season, McDavid’s career includes 977 points in 638 games with the Edmonton Oilers. A three-time Hart Trophy winner, his blend of acceleration and puck-handling skill sets a new benchmark for forwards. McDavid maintains a pivotal commercial presence as a core ambassador for leading brands and the NHL’s marketing initiatives.
The 2025-26 campaign is pivotal for McDavid, whose eight-year contract carries an average annual value of $12.5 million through 2026. McDavid’s scoring title chase is only part of his evolving legacy; his reach expands as he builds connections beyond Canadian and American fans. Heading into opening night, McDavid enters with MVP odds generally listed at +200, reflecting his sustained excellence and consistently high expectations.
Nathan MacKinnon: Consistency and Influence
Nathan MacKinnon headlines Colorado’s roster and represents a standard for durability and production. MacKinnon has played 770 NHL games, collecting 849 points, and was integral to the Avalanche’s 2022 Stanley Cup win. Known for an aggressive approach to training, MacKinnon distinguishes himself with reliability and leadership.
MacKinnon signed an eight-year, $100.8 million contract in 2022, making him the league’s highest-paid player based on average annual value at $12.6 million. His market presence has grown significantly, as his performance drives team contention. His name appears frequently across sponsorships and NHL campaigns. At FanDuel Sportsbook, MacKinnon’s MVP odds are typically posted around +500. His profile aligns closely with those who excel on and off the ice, captivating fans and furthering the league’s global development.
Leon Draisaitl: Breaking International Barriers
Leon Draisaitl’s impact is measured in both offensive output and international stature. Draisaitl leads all German-born NHL players in points, having amassed 795 points in 678 games. As one of Edmonton’s core leaders, Draisaitl earned the Hart Trophy in 2020, one of the sport’s most productive forwards, and already the most significant German player in NHL history.
Financially, Draisaitl’s current contract runs through the 2025-26 season, with an average value of $8.5 million annually. Draisaitl is notable for his appeal to European fans, which has prompted renewed interest in hockey throughout Germany and other markets. His position in MVP conversations places him at approximately +700 odds for the upcoming season. Draisaitl’s accomplishments bridge a gap between North American hockey tradition and a growing European base, reflecting an evolving standard for international stardom.
Auston Matthews: Mainstream Momentum
Auston Matthews remains one of the NHL’s most formidable goal-scorers and a central figure for the Toronto Maple Leafs. With 542 points and 335 goals in 544 NHL games, Matthews topped the league in goals twice and claimed the Hart Trophy in 2022. Matthews’ performance reinvigorates Toronto’s prospects and draws attention to the sport’s growth in the United States.
Matthews agreed to a four-year extension in 2023, carrying an annual cap hit of $13.25 million through 2028. His visibility in American and Canadian media continues to rise, positioning him among the most marketable faces in hockey. Matthews enters the season with MVP odds generally around +600. His combination of skill, production, and widespread appeal ensures his continued position at the forefront of competitive and cultural hockey developments.
Cale Makar: The New Standard on Defense
Few defensemen match Cale Makar’s offensive capabilities and versatility on the ice. Makar’s career includes 324 points in 292 games, a Norris Trophy win in 2022, and a crucial role in the Avalanche’s championship. Critics and fans alike draw comparisons to hall-of-fame defensemen, noting that Makar’s creativity and skating reframe expectations for the position.
Makar signed a six-year contract extension worth $9 million annually in 2021. Anticipation for the Norris Trophy race remains high; Makar’s odds open at roughly +200 for the award, marking him as a favorite among experts and bettors alike. His influence continues to grow through strategic marketing and social media engagement, potentially making his style and presence a blueprint for future stars.
Quinn Hughes: Rising Star and Leadership Presence
Quinn Hughes is earning rapid attention as a premier defenseman for his leadership and development. As captain of the Vancouver Canucks, Hughes led all NHL defensemen last season with 92 points in 82 games, setting a franchise record for assists and points by a defenseman. His play style is characterized by exceptional skating, smart positional awareness, and evolving playmaking.
Hughes is under contract through 2027, earning $7.85 million per season. With a growing role both within the Canucks and in broader league initiatives, Hughes stands among the early favorites for the Norris Trophy, with odds posted near +800. His emergence adds depth to the conversation about the future of defensemen, as he turns Vancouver’s blue line into a global talking point.
Spotlight on Elite Goaltending
Although no goaltender appears among the foremost candidates for MVP, Connor Hellebuyck is widely regarded as one of the NHL’s top goalies entering 2025-26. Hellebuyck won the Vezina Trophy in 2020 and has recorded a .919 save percentage over 445 games for the Winnipeg Jets. His recently signed seven-year extension averages $8.5 million per season, making him a cornerstone for the franchise and a figure for advanced metrics analysts.
Hellebuyck’s inclusion in conversations about elite talent reflects the renewed emphasis on impact players beyond forwards and defensemen. His reliability contributes to Winnipeg’s playoff prospects and elevates wider appreciation for goaltenders’ roles in NHL history.
NHL History and the Modern Superstar
The rise of these athletes signals a shift in how the league cultivates and sustains global relevance. Comparisons with legendary players prove instructive: today’s stars are part of a legacy built by luminaries like Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Bobby Orr, but the demands for outreach and cross-cultural influence have changed. Records and trophies still matter, but visibility through social and commercial channels is an increasingly vital measure.
Fans balance their wagers across betting platforms such as FanDuel Sportsbook with talent assessments, consistency, and marketability. These odds, alongside evolving player contracts and career statistics, become essential markers in the modern achievement assessment.
