#10 Connor McDavid, number 97, for the Edmonton Oilers, was a rookie to the NHL last season. He was the first overall pick and was expected to be the next “Sidney Crosby,” but a few games into the season he suffered a back injury. The injury only allowed him to play in 45 games. The reason he is on this list is because in just 45 games, the rookie was able to reach the milestone of 48 points. There is no doubt in my mind that he will come back this season with just as good or even better stats.
#9 Vladimir Tarasenko, number 91, is an up and coming star for the St Louis Blues . The young 24 year old has had two incredible years back to back. He has been able to reach 73 points in 2014-15 and 74 points in 2015-16. Also, he was a contender for the “Rocket" Richard Trophy (the highest goal scoring award) both years.
#8 The Dallas Stars have one of the top teams in the league. Tyler seguin, number 91, is a key component to the team's success. Tyler is only 23 years old and has been able to put up incredible numbers. He has had 161 points in just 150 games these past two years. Also, he is one of the league's top centers. He has a win percentage of 55%.
#7 Nicklas Backstrom, of the Wahington Capitals is one of the best playmakers in the league. Backstrom is on a line with Alex Ovechkin, who is one of the league's top scorers. Backstrom has added up 477 assist in just 9 seasons. Backstrom has been to the playoffs 8 out of the 9 seasons he has played in the Nhl. He has tallyed up 62 points in those 8 playoff runs. Also, he has above a 50% faceoff win percentage.
#6 John Tavares was the No. 1 overall pick in 2009. He is only 25 years old and has performed each year. He is now the captain for the New York Islanders. He has put 24 goals in the net in all six NHL seasons. Tavares was ranked No. 2 in points last year with 86 points in 82 games. Also, he has been in the top 10 in points twice.
#5 Evgeni Malkin, of the Pittsburg Penguins , has been a point machine since he entered the NHL in 2006-2007. He has scored over 100 points in three seasons, including 113 and a Conn Smythe Trophy (the MVP of the playoffs) in 2008-2009, when the Penguins ultimately won the Stanley Cup. Malkin has had more points than games played in a career that spans over nine full seasons.
#4 Number 88 of the Chicago Blackhawks, Patrick Kane, when entering the league was under lofty expectations. Kane has become one of hockey's most efficient and exciting forwards to watch. He has more points than games played over the last three years and has surpassed 20 goals in every NHL season. He has three Stanley Cups, and a game winning goal in one of them. Also, kane won the 2013 Conn Smythe Trophy.
#3 Steven Stamkos, number 91, of the Tampa Bay Lightning, the 25-year-old two-time winner of the Richard Trophy has lead the Lightning in scoring since his arrival in 2008-2009. Stamkos averages a point per game for his career and like Alex Ovechkin, has a extremely quick release and an exceptional one-timer that allows for all these numbers to be put up. He has scored 50 goals a season twice before the age of 23. He lead the highest scoring team in goals and points and brought the team to the Stanley Cup Finals in the 2014-15 season.
#2 Sidney Crosby is one of the best players of all time, no matter if you like him or not. He has played for the Pittsburg Penguins his whole career. With 860 points in 641 career games and far more assists than goals, Crosby remains one of the NHL’s biggest point scorers. He is a two-time Art Ross Trophy winner, given to the league’s point leader. The future Hall-of-Famer and Stanley Cup champion has past the 100-point mark five times and been in the top 10 in points six times. Crosby has more points, 195, than anyone since the start of the 2013-2014 season.
#1 Number 8, Alexander Ovechkin, is the definition of a franchise player. He plays for the Washington Capitals and is a 10-time All-Star and has at least 32 goals in every one of his 10 seasons. One of which was during a lockout-shortened year in 2012-13. He’s a five-time Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy winner, given to the league leader in goals. Ovechkin is on pace for another 50-goal campaign this year. He has more goals (112) than anyone since the 2013-2014 season and the fourth-most points (175).