Top 100 NHL players: 40-21

Leading up to the start of the 2021 season, theScore is counting down the top 100 players in the game today, as voted on by our NHL editors. Injuries affecting players entering the season have been taken into consideration. We'll reveal 20 players every day until the top 20 is unveiled Jan. 12.

100-81 | 80-61 | 60-41 | 40-21 | 20-1

40. Mathew Barzal, Islanders

Nobody possessed the puck more in the offensive zone last season than Barzal, according to The Point. The shifty center is one of the league's most dynamic players and would probably put up huge numbers on a more offensive-minded team.

39. Shea Theodore, Golden Knights

Few players look as natural with the puck on their stick as Theodore. Everything seems effortless for the Vegas Golden Knights defenseman, and having Alex Pietrangelo on the same defensive corps should allow Theodore to flourish even more this season.

38. Dougie Hamilton, Hurricanes

Hamilton was playing at a Norris Trophy level before an injury cut his season short. The Carolina Hurricanes rearguard has blossomed into one of the NHL's premier offensive defensemen but also does a terrific job at limiting chances in his own end.

37. Mark Scheifele, Jets

Scheifele averaged more than a point per game over his past four seasons and has firmly established himself as one of the league's top centers. The Winnipeg Jets' top-six looks lethal on paper, and, with elite wingers by his side, Scheifele should make life miserable for the other Canadian teams.

36. Mikko Rantanen, Avalanche

Rantanen is exceptionally talented, and he's been a perfect fit alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog on the Colorado Avalanche's explosive top line. He missed nearly half the 2019-20 season due to injury but posted just under a point per game. There's no reason to believe he won't approach his career-best 1.18 points per contest.

35. Mika Zibanejad, Rangers

Size, speed, skill, and smarts: Zibanejad is the complete package. He put it all together last year with 41 goals and 75 points in 57 games.

34. Mitch Marner, Maple Leafs

Marner is a magician with the puck on his stick and will only get better as he enters his prime. The 23-year-old leads the league in primary assists at even strength over the last two seasons and has become an invaluable penalty killer for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

33. Kyle Connor, Jets

Connor is an elite finisher and continues to see his production climb with each campaign. The next plateau for the Jets sniper to reach is the 40-goal mark, which he would have easily reached if last season wasn't cut short.

32. Carey Price, Canadiens

Price looked like his vintage MVP self during last year's postseason, which should put the league on notice. The 33-year-old has played a ton of minutes in recent seasons, but with nearly five months of rest and the Montreal Canadiens finally employing a solid backup in Jake Allen to ease Price's workload, he could regain his status as the NHL's top goalie.

31. Seth Jones, Blue Jackets

Jones' value to the Columbus Blue Jackets can't be overstated. The skilled defenseman topped his club and ranked seventh in the NHL in average ice time in 2019-20. His 25:17 mark was actually down from the previous season when he placed fourth. He's a rock at the back and is still only 26 years old.

30. Taylor Hall, Sabres

Hall is coming off a rough season, but expect the speedy winger to return to his MVP-caliber form alongside Jack Eichel this year.

29. Sean Couturier, Flyers

Couturier is on the shortlist of elite two-way centers and was rewarded for his selfless play with the Selke Trophy last season.

28. John Tavares, Maple Leafs

Tavares has been closer to the top of these lists, but his ranking took a slight hit after a less productive season than his magnificent 47-goal debut campaign with the Maple Leafs in 2018-19. The 30-year-old workhorse is still one of the league's best centers and is a threat to score whenever he's on the ice.

27. Jonathan Huberdeau, Panthers

There may not be a less-talked-about star than Huberdeau. The No. 3 pick in 2011 is ninth in the league in points (170) over the last two seasons and can score just as easily as he can dish out assists. He and Florida Panthers linemate Aleksander Barkov form one of the most menacing duos in the NHL and will continue to dominate together this year.

26. Aleksander Barkov, Panthers

It's truly poetic that Barkov landed next to Huberdeau in our composite rankings (compiled by averaging out lists from seven editors), but he deserves the spot. Like his teammate, Barkov is significantly underrated. He's consistently in the conversation for both the Selke and Lady Byng trophies, and he produces at a high level on offense.

25. Mark Stone, Golden Knights

Does anybody have a better stick than Stone? If you think so, just look at this. He's due to get his name on the Selke at some point, and he's been a point-per-game player over the last three seasons.

24. Steven Stamkos, Lightning

Stamkos continues to produce with the best of them as he enters his 30s. The Tampa Bay Lightning captain will undoubtably be among the league's top scorers once again if he can stay healthy.

23. Alex Pietrangelo, Golden Knights

Pietrangelo cashed in this offseason, and for good reason. The Golden Knights' new blue-liner has been one of the NHL's best for years and is fresh off posting career highs in goals (16) and points per game (0.74).

22. Sebastian Aho, Hurricanes

Aho's rise with the Carolina Hurricanes has been a treat to watch, and last year he showed just how good he can be. He was on pace to finish with 45 goals and 80 points over a full 82-game schedule. The 23-year-old has the potential to challenge some of the league's biggest stars for the top spots on statistical leaderboards at the end of the season.

21. Ryan O'Reilly, Blues

Few forwards are more effective at both ends than O'Reilly, who was a Selke finalist last season after winning the trophy in 2019 along with the Stanley Cup and the Conn Smythe. The St. Louis Blues center perhaps isn't quite in the upper echelon of stars, but he's certainly in the conversation.