NHL Player Power Rankings: Benn, Seguin carry surging Stars
It's a little too early in the season to make definitive statements about NHL players, but that doesn't mean we can't evaluate them based on their play so far.
The Montreal Canadiens and Dallas Stars steamrolled their competition in October, in large part due to the play of their marquee players. The Chicago Blackhawks and Edmonton Oilers haven't blown the league away, but they've also benefited from the tremendous individual efforts of their stars.
Here are our top 10 players from the first calendar month of the season:
1. Jamie Benn, Dallas Stars
| GP | G | A | PPP | CF % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 56.4 |
The league's points leader opened the season with a six-game point streak and notched six multi-point games over the first 11 contests.
Benn has nine goals on only 26 shots, which suggests he's bound to cool off, but his hot start is a major reason the Stars have the NHL's second-best record at 9-2-0.
2. Tyler Seguin, Dallas Stars
| GP | G | A | PPP | CF % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 5 | 11 | 4 | 55.1 |
Another reason is the stellar play of Seguin, who is riding a four-game point streak and has four multi-point games of his own. He leads the league in assists, ranks second in points, and has the third-highest shot total with 46.
Those numbers are sure to increase this week, when he faces the Toronto Maple Leafs and his former team, the Boston Bruins, on back-to-back nights.
3. David Krejci, Boston Bruins
| GP | G | A | PPP | CF % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 49.8 |
Krejci and the rejuvenated Bruins boast the NHL's best offense (3.9 goals per game) and the league's most effective power play (35 percent) through 10 games.
He should have no problem equaling his career-best of 23 goals (set in 2011-12), especially if he continues to play with another pleasant surprise, Loui Eriksson, and the dynamic David Pastrnak.
4. Tyler Toffoli, Los Angeles Kings
| GP | G | A | PPP | CF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 9 | 1 | 3 | 55.6 |
Toffoli has played like a man possessed, albeit in a small sample, scoring nine goals in his first 10 games. Like Benn, he's done it on a mere 26 shots, so enjoy the explosion while it lasts.
Still, it's impossible to ignore Toffoli's torrid pace, and he's tied with Benn for the league goal-scoring lead for a reason. His shooting percentage will come down, but there's no denying the 23-year-old can snipe.
5. Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens
| GP | W-L-OT | GAA | SV% | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 7-2-0 | 2.01 | .936 | 2 |
The Hart and Vezina Trophy winner is expected to miss a week with a lower-body injury, but his performance over the first three weeks can't be discounted.
Price is tied for the league lead in wins and shutouts, and, barring a setback in his recovery, he should continue to post them for the NHL's best team when he returns.
6. Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators
| GP | G | A | PPP | CF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 0 | 11 | 3 | 52.1 |
Karlsson is as consistent as they come, and the Norris Trophy winner is on a point-per-game pace with favorable possession numbers while logging an average ice time of more than 26 minutes.
That's over two minutes more than P.K. Subban, and nearly four minutes more than Andrei Markov - both of whom are tied for the league points lead among defensemen.
7. Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh Penguins
| GP | W-L-OT | GAA | SV% | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 6-4-0 | 1.71 | .942 | 2 |
The Penguins have reeled off four straight wins after a rocky start, and Fleury isn't getting enough credit for the resurgence.
He has the NHL's best goals-against average and save percentage among qualified starters, he's started 10 of 11 games, and he's done it without much support from the NHL's sixth-worst offense.
8. Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks
| GP | G | A | PPP | CF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 52.2 |
The Blackhawks haven't hit their stride yet, but Kane just keeps producing. He's riding a six-game point streak and has only been held pointless in two of the first 11 games.
Kane is one of eight NHL forwards logging more than 20 minutes per game, and he can clearly handle the load.
9. Taylor Hall, Edmonton Oilers
| GP | G | A | PPP | CF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 5 | 8 | 4 | 53.0 |
Connor McDavid's grabbing the headlines, but teammate Taylor Hall has been the Edmonton Oilers' best player. Hall was named third star of the week after collecting seven points in three games.
The 2010 first overall pick has excelled since being held off the scoresheet in the first three contests, and he's been able to maintain a plus-5 rating and positive possession numbers despite the Oilers' struggles.
10. P.K. Subban, Montreal Canadiens
| GP | G | A | PPP | CF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 1 | 11 | 4 | 50.0 |
Subban's impact can't be understated, and the Canadiens' record-setting start has plenty to do with his contributions. He's collecting points at even strength and on the man advantage, while logging plenty of ice time and posting solid possession figures.
The 26-year-old appears primed to challenge Karlsson for the Norris Trophy for a second straight season.