As we close another week in the 2025-26 NHL season, ESPN’s group of voters maintains that the Colorado Avalanche hold the title of the best team in the league.
Chicago Blackhawks have not been this competitive for a while, as Connor Bedard & Co. stay in contention for a playoff spot with one-fourth of the season wrapped up.
Regarding the quarter-season milestone, in this week’s rankings we have pinpointed the standout player for each team after 25% of the schedule.
Our ranking methodology: A selection of ESPN hockey experts, analysts, journalists, and editors submit a 1-32 ranking based on the games played through Wednesday.
Note: Prior rankings for each team relate to the last publication, which was on Nov. 14. Points percentages reflect games played through Thursday.
Nathan MacKinnon. While we acknowledge the phenomenal season being had by Cale Makar, our preference is MacKinnon, leading the league with both points (36) and goals (16).
Upcoming week: @ NSH (Nov. 22), @ CHI (Nov. 23), vs. SJ (Nov. 26)
Past ranking: 4
Points percentage: 70%
Quarter-season MVP: Seth Jarvis. There’s no one else to choose but the Hurricanes’ emerging star, who consistently participates in every situation and maintains nearly a point-per-game rate.
Upcoming week: @ WPG (Nov. 21), @ BUF (Nov. 23), vs. NYR (Nov. 26)
Past ranking: 3
Points percentage: 64.3%
Quarter-season MVP: Leo Carlsson. The Ducks’ choice of Carlsson with the second overall pick in the 2023 draft over Adam Fantilli raised eyebrows. That speculation is long gone, as the 20-year-old Swede is leading the charge for a Ducks team competing at the top of the Pacific Division.
Upcoming week: vs. VGK (Nov. 22), vs. VAN (Nov. 26)
Past ranking: 5
Points percentage: 69%
Quarter-season MVP: Mikko Rantanen. The Stars didn’t need to evaluate how well Rantanen could perform before signing him to a long-term contract; that agreement was completed the same day he was obtained from the Hurricanes. So far, it’s been quite successful.
Upcoming week: @ CGY (Nov. 22), @ EDM (Nov. 25), @ SEA (Nov. 26)
0:43
Mikko Rantanen scores his 300th career goal for Stars
Mikko Rantanen registers his 300th career goal for the Stars.
Past ranking: 2
Points percentage: 67.5%
Quarter-season MVP: Jesper Bratt. Unfortunately for Bratt and his teammates, they have faced circumstances without Jack Hughes in the lineup before. They will encounter this situation again as No. 86 is out due to a «freak injury» at a restaurant in Chicago last week.
Upcoming week: @ PHI (Nov. 22), vs. DET (Nov. 24), vs. STL (Nov. 26)
Past ranking: 7
Points percentage: 63.2%
Quarter-season MVP: Mark Scheifele. The Jets’ primary center has yet to reach the 50-goal or 100-point milestone in his NHL career, coming closest with 42 goals in 2022-23 and 87 points in 2024-25. He’s currently on track for 50 goals and 109 points.
Upcoming week: vs. CAR (Nov. 21), vs. MIN (Nov. 23), @ WSH (Nov. 26)
Past ranking: 10
Points percentage: 65%
Quarter-season MVP: Jack Eichel. While he may have slipped from the top of the goals and points leaderboard, Eichel has led the Knights with 24 points in 19 games, making a compelling case for his first Hart Trophy nomination.
Upcoming week: @ ANA (Nov. 22), @ UTA (Nov. 24), vs. OTT (Nov. 26)
Past ranking: 9
Points percentage: 63.2%
Quarter-season MVP: Sidney Crosby. Before the season began, trade rumors circulated about potential new homes for No. 87. Instead, he has guided a rejuvenated Penguins team to a strong position in the Metro Division, contributing six power-play goals for the most effective man-advantage unit in the NHL.
Upcoming week: vs. MIN (Nov. 21), vs. SEA (Nov. 22), vs. BUF (Nov. 26)
Past ranking: 14
Points percentage: 60%
Quarter-season MVP: Connor Bedard. It seems the Blackhawks may have uncovered a gem in this young player. With 29 points in 19 games during his third NHL season, Bedard is on track for 118 points, and Chicago is firmly in the playoff race after the initial quarter of the season.
Upcoming week: @ BUF (Nov. 21), vs. COL (Nov. 23), vs. MIN (Nov. 26)
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Connor Bedard scores hat trick for Blackhawks
Connor Bedard tallies three goals for Chicago on Tuesday night against Calgary.
Past ranking: 18
Points percentage: 59.5%
Quarter-season MVP: Dylan Larkin. Larkin raised eyebrows last season with his display at the 4 Nations Face-Off and has carried some of that into the current NHL campaign, racking up 24 points (12 goals and 12 assists) through his first 20 games.
Upcoming week: vs. CBJ (Nov. 22), @ NJ (Nov. 24), vs. NSH (Nov. 26)
Past ranking: 11
Points percentage: 59.5%
Quarter-season MVP: Adrian Kempe. With a contract extension secured, Kempe can set aside business matters and concentrate on his on-ice contributions. Leading the Kings with 19 points, he has been their top scorer through 20 games.
Upcoming week: vs. BOS (Nov. 21), vs. OTT (Nov. 24)
Past ranking: 22
Points percentage: 61.9%
Quarter-season MVP: Matthew Schaefer. An honorable mention goes to Bo Horvat for his team-leading 13 goals and 24 points, but the standout is the 2025 No. 1 pick, who tops the Isles in average ice time (22:29), was recently added to Canada’s 90-man Olympic candidate list, and may be influencing a positive shift in the atmosphere on Long Island.
Upcoming week: vs. STL (Nov. 22), vs. SEA (Nov. 23), vs. BOS (Nov. 26)
Past ranking: 12
Points percentage: 60%
Quarter-season MVP: Jake Guentzel. Like the team overall, Guentzel didn’t start on the strongest footing this season. However, he’s turned it around in November (with seven goals and three assists in the first eight games of the month), as the Lightning aim to rebound in the Atlantic Division standings.
Upcoming week: @ WSH (Nov. 22), vs. PHI (Nov. 24), vs. CGY (Nov. 26)
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Jake Guentzel seals victory for Lightning with overtime goal
Jake Guentzel nets the winning goal in overtime for the Lightning.
Past ranking: 8
Points percentage: 54.6%
Quarter-season MVP: David Pastrnak. For the Bruins to make a significant impact this season, a multitude of factors needed to align. One of those was Pastrnak delivering on his high potential. So far, he is delivering, having scored 27 points in his first 22 games, placing the Bruins near the summit of their division.
Upcoming week: @ LA (Nov. 21), @ SJ (Nov. 23), @ NYI (Nov. 26)
Past ranking: 6
Points percentage: 57.5%
Quarter-season MVP: Jakub Dobes. While he has cooled slightly after winning all of his six starts in October, the 24-year-old Czech netminder appears to be the Canadiens’ best option in goal this season, making a case in the Calder Trophy race.
Upcoming week: vs. TOR (Nov. 22), @ UTA (Nov. 26)
Past ranking: 17
Points percentage: 62.5%
Quarter-season MVP: Jaden Schwartz. The Kraken have become one of the season’s unexpected success stories, remaining in contention for a playoff position through the first quarter. It has been a collective effort — with only six players hitting double-digit points after 19 games, and none with goals in the double digits. Thus, we acknowledge the seasoned 33-year-old who co-led the team in scoring through 19 games and led the team with a plus-8 rating.
Upcoming week: @ PIT (Nov. 22), @ NYI (Nov. 23), vs. DAL (Nov. 26)
Past ranking: 13
Points percentage: 54.8%
Quarter-season MVP: Nick Schmaltz. In their inaugural season as the Mammoth, Schmaltz has led the team in scoring (22 points) and is tied for the most game-winning goals (two, alongside Clayton Keller) over the first 20 games.
Upcoming week: vs. NYR (Nov. 22), vs. VGK (Nov. 24), vs. MTL (Nov. 26)
1:03
Schmaltz secures his second career hat trick in the Mammoth’s victory
Nick Schmaltz notches a hat trick to propel Utah to a 6-3 victory over San Jose.
Past ranking: 15
Points percentage: 60%
Quarter-season MVP: Tim Stutzle. The Senators had their captain Brady Tkachuk in action for three games before an upper-body injury sidelined him. Stutzle stepped up to fill the scoring void, averaging a point per game in 19 games and reaching double-digit goals.
Upcoming week: @ SJ (Nov. 22), @ LA (Nov. 24), @ VGK (Nov. 26)
Past ranking: 27
Points percentage: 57.1%
Quarter-season MVP: Jesper Wallstedt. While Kirill Kaprizov has been phenomenal, that was anticipated. Let’s credit rookie goalie Wallstedt, who boasts a 5-0-2 record in seven starts, with a 2.10 goals-against average (second in the league) and a .926 save percentage (first).
Upcoming week: @ PIT (Nov. 21), @ WPG (Nov. 23), @ CHI (Nov. 26)
Past ranking: 19
Points percentage: 57.1%
Quarter-season MVP: Logan Thompson. Thompson was a key figure for a team that nearly secured the Presidents’ Trophy in 2024-25. While victories may be fewer this season, his figures are even stronger: a league-best 1.85 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage (third).
Upcoming week: vs. TB (Nov. 22), vs. CBJ (Nov. 24), vs. WPG (Nov. 26)
Past ranking: 24
Points percentage: 57.5%
Quarter-season MVP: Brad Marchand. The Panthers entered this season as defending back-to-back Stanley Cup champions, but are without captain Aleksander Barkov (out until April) and Matthew Tkachuk (until December). The significant trade acquisition from last season (and playoff standout) has risen to the occasion, leading the team with 23 points through 18 games, putting him on a trajectory for 99 points, just one short of his career-best in 2018-19.
Upcoming week: vs. EDM (Nov. 22), @ NSH (Nov. 24), vs. PHI (Nov. 26)
Past ranking: 16
Points percentage: 60.5%
Quarter-season MVP: Trevor Zegras. Who would have thought that a change of environment was all Zegras needed to revitalize his career? The No. 9 overall selection from the 2019 draft had stalled in Anaheim but is flourishing in Philadelphia.
Upcoming week: vs. NJ (Nov. 22), TB (Nov. 24), @ FLA (Nov. 26)
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Trevor Zegras scores between the legs for Flyers’ shootout goal
Trevor Zegras scores the decisive goal in the shootout for the Flyers against the Blues.
Past ranking: 26
Points percentage: 57.1%
Quarter-season MVP: Jet Greaves. Is a shift occurring in the Columbus goaltending position? Greaves concluded the 2024-25 season robustly and has emerged as the primary goalie for Columbus this season, with 12 starts compared to Elvis Merzlikins’ eight (and with superior stats).
Upcoming week: @ DET (Nov. 22), @ WSH (Nov. 24), vs. TOR (Nov. 26)
Past ranking: 21
Points percentage: 50%
Quarter-season MVP: Igor Shesterkin/Jonathan Quick. The Rangers are still working to find the right offensive blend, but their defensive efforts have been excellent. Shesterkin is showcasing another strong season, with a 7-7-2 record, a 2.43 goals-against average, and a .911 save percentage; Quick boasts even stronger ratios with 1.42 and .951 but has also faced a shortage of goal support, holding a 3-2-0 record. The Blueshirts would be faring much worse without their contributions.
Upcoming week: @ UTA (Nov. 22), vs. STL (Nov. 24), @ CAR (Nov. 26)
Past ranking: 20
Points percentage: 50%
Quarter-season MVP: Connor McDavid. Consistently, another season of exceptional scoring from the game’s premier talent. Through 22 games, McDavid’s 32 points are six ahead of the next best on the team (Leon Draisaitl’s 26), as the Oilers aim to recover from another sluggish start in the standings.
Upcoming week: @ FLA (Nov. 22), vs. DAL (Nov. 25)
Past ranking: 23
Points percentage: 54.8%
Quarter-season MVP: Macklin Celebrini. Celebrini, taken first overall in the 2024 draft, was always a promising prospect. But did anyone foresee him pacing to shatter the Sharks’ all-time scoring record in his second pro season?
Upcoming week: vs. OTT (Nov. 22), vs. BOS (Nov. 23), @ COL (Nov. 26)
0:32
Macklin Celebrini scores a hat trick to secure victory for Sharks in OT
Macklin Celebrini capitalizes on the power play for the San Jose Sharks
Past ranking: 25
Points percentage: 50%
Quarter-season MVP: William Nylander. This season has not been the greatest in the illustrious history of the Maple Leafs, with injuries to key players like Auston Matthews and Chris Tanev, and four goaltenders appearing on the stat sheet due to injuries. Nonetheless, Nylander has proven to be a reliable presence, amassing 27 points through 17 games, featuring some eye-catching highlights.
Upcoming week: @ MTL (Nov. 22), @ CBJ (Nov. 26)
Past ranking: 28
Points percentage: 45.5%
Quarter-season MVP: Quinn Hughes. It’s uncommon for a defenseman to lead a team in scoring, but that’s the case this season for the Canucks, with their captain paving the way towards (likely) another Norris Trophy nomination.
Upcoming week: vs. CGY (Nov. 23), @ ANA (Nov. 26)
Past ranking: 30
Points percentage: 45%
Quarter-season MVP: Tage Thompson. Eventually, the Sabres will return to the postseason, rewarding one of the most devoted fanbases in the sport. For now, Thompson continues to find the net (10 goals so far) and could earn a place to represent Team USA at the Milan-Cortina Olympics.
Upcoming week: vs. CHI (Nov. 21), vs. CAR (Nov. 23), @ PIT (Nov. 26)
Past ranking: 29
Points percentage: 42.9%
Quarter-season MVP: Robert Thomas. The Blues have had a tough season after barely making the playoffs previously (where they nearly eliminated the Jets). Hence, we recognize Thomas, the only player on the roster with more than one game played and a positive plus/minus rating, alongside his 13 points through 16 games.
Upcoming week: @ NYI (Nov. 22), @ NYR (Nov. 24), @ NJ (Nov. 26)
Past ranking: 31
Points percentage: 40%
Quarter-season MVP: Filip Forsberg. At this juncture, GM Barry Trotz needs to decide who will be part of the next competitive iteration of the Predators and who won’t. We believe Forsberg, who has been around for previous versions, will continue to be present when Nashville returns to playoff contention.
Upcoming week: vs. COL (Nov. 22), vs. FLA (Nov. 24), @ DET (Nov. 26)
Past ranking: 32
Points percentage: 34.1%
Quarter-season MVP: Nazem Kadri. The Flames are experiencing a challenging season, and it’s likely that this roster will see significant changes by the end of the season (with trade rumors surrounding Kadri, Rasmus Andersson, Blake Coleman, and other players). As the current leading scorer, the veteran center receives the quarter-season MVP recognition.
Upcoming week: vs. DAL (Nov. 22), VAN (Nov. 23), @ TB (Nov. 26)
