In UFC and boxing, there are pound-for-pound lists. Aka, regardless of weight classes, ESPN ranks the top 10 fighters in the sport. If you’re the number one pound-for-pound fighter, that’s equivalent to an MVP in sports like basketball and football.
Well, that got me thinking. What if other leagues had pound-for-pound rankings? That’d mean – regardless of position – who’s the best?
Well, let’s take a shot with the NHL.
1. Connor McDavid – Edmonton
I’m all for open discussion, but this one isn’t a question. It’s like prime Floyd Mayweather, Tom Brady, and Michael Jordan, but for hockey.
McDavid scored 153 points last season. I repeat: McDavid scored 153 points last season – one that’s only 82 games. That’s 1.85 points per game. For McDavid, however, just another Tuesday night.
2. Nathan MacKinnon – Colorado
This guy is not only top five in points – 111 in just 71 games – but his impact makes him so much more. The centerman is beyond fast, skilled as ever, and scores timely goals – in an Avalanche.
Timely goals, indeed. The righty tucked nine game-winning goals last regular season, and registered seven goals in as many playoff games.
3. Auston Matthews – Toronto
I thought of putting Matthews lower on this list, but he’s too scary to play against, you know? Trust me, as Bruins fans, we know.
The 25-year-old sniper is just that: a sniper. When Matthews skates through the neutral zone and winds back for a shot around the faceoff dot, I fear for the goalie. Eighty five points in 74 games isn’t bad, either.
4. David Pastrnak – Boston
We know him, we love him. I remember watching Pastrnak score two goals against the Flyers when he was 18 years old, knowing he’d become something great. The league’s leading scorer tucked 61 goals last season – and didn’t miss a game.
Over the years, have you noticed how much he’s improved physically? He used to get knocked off the puck in a second. Now, he does the knocking. From protecting the puck along the boards to setting up on the power play (you know the spot), Pasta is as complete as they come now.
5 – Cale Makar – Colorado
Man, Colorado sure has its starpower. Alongside MacKinnon, Makar is – hands down – the best defender in the league. Erik Karlsson and Charlie McAvoy are good, but not remotely close to Cale.
The former UMass Minuteman can knock Connor McDavid off the puck on one end of the ice, then score top shelf on the other. Makar scored 66 points as a defender. I’ll stop there.
6 – Nikita Kucherov – Tampa Bay
Talk about an under-the-radar player – that’s Kucherov. He takes the Lightning deep into the playoffs every season, and has been their best player since the Stamkos days of the 2010s.
He’s not the most fun player to watch, yet, is the league’s third-leading scorer (113). Although, he has a plus-minus of -2. Hmm, maybe that’s why he’s not in my top five.
7 – Leon Draisaitl – Edmonton
So, how does a player place second in points (128), but not crack the top five on this list? Well, he’s on the ice with Connor McDavid, so a lot of people will rack up the points that way.
Nevertheless, Draisaitl is incredibly reliable. Whether it’s a backdoor one-timer or a breakaway with space, watch out.
8 – Matthew Tkachuk – Florida
Not only did this Panther rack up 109 points in the regular season, but elevated his game in the postseason. Too soon, Bruins fans?
My favorite part of his game, however, is his ability to get dirty. From redirections, to rebounds, and to hacking goals around the pads, it’s so fun to watch.
9 – Alex Ovechkin – Washington
When Brady was in Tampa Bay, it was fair to say he wasn’t in his prime. Yet, when your favorite team went up against him, you still felt a little insecure. You knew – he could beat you if he’s on his game today.
The right-handed power shooter scored 42 goals in 73 games at age 37. How impressive is that? I know the Caps aren’t elite anymore, per se, but his -16 plus-minus is concerning.
Nevertheless, Ovi still packs a punch – literally and figuratively.
10 – Erik Karlsson – Pittsburgh
Wait, is this 2017? That’s when Karlsson was a top-five player in the NHL playing for Ottawa. It’s 2023, and he still makes this pound-for-pound list.
As a defender, he’s one of the fastest players in the league. Karlsson also eclipsed the 100-point mark for San Jose last season.
Wow, 25 goals as a defender is no joke.
Now, he’s a Penguin. I know we think of Crosby and Malkin whenever that franchise comes to mind, but if those two can follow behind Karlsson moving forward, the Eastern Conference should watch out.
