Top 100 NHL players: 100-91
Leading up to the start of the 2019-20 season, theScore will be counting down the top 100 players in the game today, as voted on by our NHL editors. We'll reveal 10 players every day until the top 10 is unveiled Oct. 2.
100-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1
100. Nico Hischier, Devils
As the No. 1 pick in 2017, expectations are high for Hischier, and he's demonstrated flashes of brilliance over his first two seasons in New Jersey. The 20-year-old notched 47 points in 69 games last season, and with the Devils now loaded up following new additions, he should be poised for a breakout campaign.
99. David Krejci, Bruins
Krejci showed last season that he's anything but over the hill, posting a career-high 53 assists and matching his career-best with 73 points. He also added 16 more points in 24 contests during the Bruins' Stanley Cup Final run. Not bad for a 33-year-old.
98. Matt Dumba, Wild
Dumba was on pace for a career-high 30 goals and 56 points in 2018-19 before a torn right pectoralis muscle ended his season in late December. The 25-year-old is an incredible two-way defenseman and could even be considered a dark horse candidate for the Norris Trophy.
97. Robin Lehner, Blackhawks
Those under the impression that Lehner's remarkable 2018-19 season was a product of Barry Trotz's defensive system are wrong. The Islanders were actually a middle-of-the-pack team in scoring-chance prevention, but Lehner still finished second in the league with a .930 save percentage and third with a 2.13 goals-against average.
96. Cam Atkinson, Blue Jackets
Atkinson has become the face of the Blue Jackets during the post-Rick Nash era. He led Columbus with a career-high 41 goals last season, good enough to tie for sixth league-wide. After several high-profile departures during the offseason, the Jackets will lean heavily on Atkinson's offensive production in 2019-20.
95. Dougie Hamilton, Hurricanes
Don't put too much stock in Hamilton's declining point production over the last couple of seasons. The Carolina blue-liner posted a sublime 57.61 Corsi For percentage and a solid 52.17 Goals For percentage in 2018-19 while solidifying his role in one of the NHL's best defensive pairings.
94. William Karlsson, Golden Knights
Karlsson burst onto the scene with an incredible 43-goal campaign in 2017-18, but he potted only 24 goals last season. Realistically, the 26-year-old Swede will probably finish closer to the latter mark in 2019-20, but he's still a very skilled player who fills an important role up the middle for an elite team.
93. Braden Holtby, Capitals
Holtby is coming off the two worst regular seasons of his career, but he remains one of the league's most accomplished goalies. In his trophy case, there's a Vezina Trophy, a Jennings Trophy, and most importantly, a Stanley Cup.
92. Alexander Radulov, Stars
Radulov may have found a home in Dallas after spending time in Nashville, Montreal, and the KHL throughout his career. He scored a career-high 29 goals last season (topping his previous best of 27 from the season prior), and the veteran also matched his best campaign with 72 points despite playing in only 70 games.
91. Kyle Connor, Jets
The unsigned restricted free agent took another step forward during his second full season with Winnipeg, although a shooting percentage of 15 helped during his 34-goal, 66-point campaign, following a 16.1 percent clip in 2017-18. Regardless, the skilled 22-year-old winger complements his linemates perfectly.
(Analytics courtesy: Natural Stat Trick)