Top 100 NHL players: 90-81
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
90. Tomas Hertl, Sharks
Hertl announced his arrival as a top-line talent with a career-best 35-goal, 74-point campaign in 2018-19. The 25-year-old continued to thrive in the playoffs as well, potting 10 goals and 15 points over 19 games. Hertl may regress in the goal column after posting a 19.9 regular-season shooting percentage last year, but he's capable of being a consistent 70-point player and is an essential piece for one of the league's top teams.
89. Jordan Binnington, Blues
Binnington may have played the fewest career games of anyone on this list, but he was the Blues' savior last year. The 26-year-old rookie went 24-5-1 with a .927 save percentage and a 1.89 goals-against average after a midseason call-up last year, then won 16 of 26 playoff games en route to St. Louis' first Stanley Cup.
88. Ryan Suter, Wild
With an annual cap hit of more than $7.5 million through the 2024-25 season, Suter's contract doesn't look great for the future, but the 34-year-old remains an integral part of Minnesota's defense. He led all NHL skaters with nearly 27 minutes of average ice time last season, while his 47 points were the 14th-most among defensemen.
87. Viktor Arvidsson, Predators
Arvidsson poured in a career-high 34 goals in 2018-19 despite being limited to 58 regular-season games due to injury - a 48-goal pace over an 82-game schedule. His 17.4% shooting rate is bound to regress, but the crafty Swedish winger can fill the net and is a perfect fit alongside center Ryan Johansen.
86. Zach Werenski, Blue Jackets
Werenski has developed into one of the game's best young defensemen and will likely outplay his new three-year, $15-million deal with Columbus. The 22-year-old ranks ninth among NHL blue-liners with 38 goals since his debut in 2016-17 and can cause headaches for the opposition's top talent on any given night.
85. Jacob Trouba, Rangers
Trouba potted a career-high 50 points with the Jets last season, but the best is yet to come. The 25-year-old has all the traits of a No. 1 workhorse defenseman and will get a chance to shine in that role for an up-and-coming Rangers team.
84. Joe Pavelski, Stars
After 13 seasons in San Jose, Pavelski will start the NHL campaign in a new home for the first time in his career. The 35-year-old can still bring it, as evidenced by the 38 goals he scored last season to match the second-best output of his career. His veteran leadership and goal-scoring ability should be welcome additions in Dallas.
83. Thomas Chabot, Senators
The heir to Erik Karlsson as Ottawa's unquestioned No. 1 blue-liner, Chabot took a big step forward after Karlsson was traded, collecting 55 points while averaging over 24 minutes of ice time across 70 contests last year. The 22-year-old is set to command his team's highest cap hit when his new eight-year, $64-million contract kicks in for 2020-21, but it's tough to argue he doesn't deserve it.
82. Dylan Larkin, Red Wings
The speedy top-line center broke both the 30-goal and 70-point marks for the first time in his career in 2018-19. Larkin has taken major leaps in two straight seasons and continues to show his bona fides as the Red Wings look to name their next captain.
81. Alex DeBrincat, Blackhawks
It's amazing this diminutive sniper slipped all the way to the second round of the 2016 NHL Draft after back-to-back 50-goal, 100-point campaigns with the OHL's Erie Otters. DeBrincat has done nothing but score since entering the NHL, potting 69 goals over his first two seasons, including 41 last year.