Ranking each NHL team’s No. 1 left wing

Continuing our 2016 preseason look at depth charts around the league, here's our ranking each NHL team's top left winger. Compiling this list presents some unique challenges. There's more fluidity at the position—some wingers move line to line, others move side to side—but we've tried to assess each team's most likely option based both on history and potential. By Allan Muir

SI Staff | Aug 24, 2016

Ranking each NHL team’s No. 1 left wing /

Ranking each NHL team’s No. 1 left wing

30. Ryan Garbutt, Ducks: Miscast as a first liner? If we're being honest, Garbutt's skill set doesn't even justify a spot in the top nine. Sure, he gives an honest account of himself night in/night out, but his presence alongside Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry only proves how desperate the Ducks are for a legit top line option.

29. Chris Kunitz, Penguins: Carl Hagelin is Pittsburgh's best option on left wing, but he's locked on the third line alongside Nick Bonino and Phil Kessel. That leaves Kunitz, who turns 37 next month, as the best bet to skate alongside Sidney Crosby on the top unit. No doubt the heart is still there, but the body is running on fumes.

28. Nikolaj Ehlers, Jets: In time, Ehlers will be a terrific player. The tools are there, and he's sure to benefit from his obvious chemistry with Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele. But he's still adjusting to the pro game and that means he's the weak link on the first line ... for now, anyway.

Tanner Pearson

27. Tanner Pearson, Kings: At 24, Pearson is what he is: an inconsistent but intriguing talent whose chemistry with Anze Kopitar elevates him to a first-line position for which he's not ideally suited.

26. Andrew Ladd, Islanders: There are some hard miles on his 30-year-old body, but Ladd still has plenty to offer. He's a good bet to score 25 goals alongside John Tavares and can be counted on to play a reliable, 200-foot game.

25. Justin Abdelkader, Red Wings: His invitation to play for Team USA at the World Cup was well earned. Abdelkader may lack flash, but he's a versatile winger with a physical edge who can be trusted in any situation.

24. Jeff Skinner, Hurricanes: He's just 24, but it feels like Skinner's best hockey is behind him. He's been productive through his first seven seasons, including a 28-goal campaign in 2015-16, but his rich skill set leaves you wanting more. Maybe this will be the season he finally delivers on his potential ...

23. Max Domi, Coyotes: Nothing but blue skies ahead for Domi, who'll look to improve on his 18-goal, 54-point rookie season. Having gained the trust of coach Dave Tippett, the 21-year-old should see more time on both the power play and penalty kill.

22. Alex Killorn, Lightning: Despite his regular spot alongside top center Steven Stamkos, Killorn never has been a big scorer. It's likely he never will be. But he earns his minutes with his smarts, versatility and general reliability. By playing his game, he allows Stamkos to do what he does best.

21. Zach Parise, Wild: He's 32 and injury prone. Parise can still contribute, but the only hint of his former greatness is his paycheck.

20. Rick Nash, Rangers: The 32-year-old is just a year removed from a 42-goal campaign, so he could recover from his disappointing 2015-16 season if his shooting percentage (8.2%) trends closer to his career average (13.8%). But even if he levels off around 25 goals, Nash brings value with his play away from the puck.

19. Sam Reinhart, Sabres: A natural center, he's destined to play his off-wing alongside Jack Eichel on what should be an explosive first unit. Reinhart quietly scored 23 goals last season, tied for third among rookies, and has the high hockey IQ and relentless net drive to improve on his numbers this year.

18. Tomas Hertl, Sharks: He'll move to the middle as soon as Joe Thornton retires, but for now Hertl is a nice fit on Jumbo Joe Thornton's wing as a big body with soft hands and solid playmaking skills.

Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images

17. James van Riemsdyk, Maple Leafs: After missing half of the season with a broken foot, JVR is poised for a solid 2016-17. The veteran thrived in coach Mike Babcock's system, leading the Leafs in scoring up to the time of his injury, then finishing with 18 points in the team's final 19 games.

16. Mike Hoffman, Senators: His game has a way of leaving some people (including his former coach, Dave Cameron) cold, but that shouldn't be an issue now that Guy Boucher is behind the bench. The new man worked with Hoffman in juniors and has been vocal about his potential. He could be in for a big year.

15. Brayden Schenn, Flyers: Fair question: Can Schenn live up to the pressure of his new four-year, $20.5 million deal? His production has improved through each of his five seasons, and he's coming off career bests in goals (26), assists (33) and points (59), but consistency has always been an issue.

14. Gabriel Landeskog, Avalanche: He may never post dazzling numbers, but at 23 Landeskog already has four 20-goal seasons on his resume. When he's not scoring, he usually finds a way to deliver value with his physical presence and leadership.

13. Boone Jenner, Blue Jackets: I'll admit it right now—Jenner might be too low on this list. At 22, he's coming off a breakthrough season in which he scored 30 goals and delivered a gritty two-way effort for the underwhelming Jackets. If anyone can turn things around in Columbus, Jenner's the guy.

12. Jaden Schwartz, Blues: Injuries limited him to just 33 largely ineffective games last season, but Schwartz was a beast in the playoffs, picking up 14 points in 20 games. Consider that, along with his 28-goal 2014-15 season, and the 24-year old appears poised to make a significant contribution this year.

11. Daniel Sedin, Canucks: No, there's not much tread left on the tires but Sedin, who'll be 36 when the season starts, shouldn't be overlooked. He improved in both shots (226 to 258) and goals (20 to 28) last year over the 2014-15 season and should benefit from a bounce-back campaign from brother Henrik.

10. Jonathan Huberdeau, Panthers: He's not likely to match the nearly six shots per game he averaged in the playoffs, but that aggressive approach hints at a breakout season ahead. Huberdeau set new career highs with 20 goals and 59 points last season.

9. Milan Lucic, Oilers: He hasn't hit the 30-goal mark since 2010-11, but riding shotgun alongside Connor McDavid sets Lucic up for an All-Star caliber season.

Max-Pacioretty,.jpg — Francois Lacasse/NHLI via Getty Images

8. Max Pacioretty, Canadiens: You gotta love a volume shooter. Only Alex Ovechkin has fired more pucks on net during the past five seasons than MaxPac (1,324), who ranks fifth in goals scored (154) over that same frame. He's a safe bet for 30 goals and 60 points in what should be a bounceback season for the Habs.

7. Filip Forsberg, Predators: He’s led the Preds in goals and points during each of the past two seasons, and his 33 goals in 2015-16 tied a single-season franchise record. At 21, he's on the verge of superstardom.

6. Artemi Panarin, Blackhawks: A little leeway here: While Jonathan Toews' line is generally recognized as Chicago's first, there's no telling who will skate on the captain's port side this season. And since Panarin, the NHL's reigning rookie of the year, is the team's highest-scoring (and most frequently used) LW, he gets the nod here. And as one of the league's most explosive young talents, he's poised for another season among the top-10 point getters.

5. Brad Marchand, Bruins: Marchand's shooting percentage last season (14.8%) was actually below his career average (15%), so it's entirely possible that he could score 35-plus goals in 2016-17. Add in his defensive game and penalty killing skills and he's on track for another elite campaign.

4. Taylor Hall, Devils: Hall will dedicate this season to proving the Oilers made a mistake by trading him to New Jersey. With that kind of motivation—and a familiar linemate from his junior days in Adam Henrique—Hall could be in for a career year.

3. Johnny Gaudreau, Flames: Would anyone be surprised if the 23-year-old was the NHL's top scorer in 2016-17? That's the kind of potential Gaudreau has after posting 30 goals and 78 points during his sophomore campaign.

Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images

2. Alex Ovechkin, Capitals: The greatest goal scorer of his generation impressed with his commitment to coach Barry Trotz's system last season. His best hockey might yet lie ahead.

1. Jamie Benn, Stars: Coming off a season in which he was a Hart Trophy finalist and a First Team All-Star, Benn is poised for another dominant campaign. Amazing that he’s been the NHL's leading scorer over the past two seasons despite losing center Tyler Seguin to injury for long stretches of both.

Published Aug 24, 2016

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