#NHLVideos: NHL Network’s Top 20 Wings Right Now

NHL Network’s Top 20 Wings Right Now

Oh my goodness. Are you kidding me? Oh, baby, that was amazing. Hello everybody and welcome inside our NHL 
network studios as we count down the top 20 wings in the NHL right now alongside Johnny 
and Ruper. I’m Jameson. Hope you’re doing well   at home. We’ve hit this point in the season, 
right, the offseason, should I say. And I love this because we’ve kind of run out of things to 
talk about when it pertains to the NHL regular   season or the Stanley Cup finals or whatever. 
But we also have the countdown show which is, you know, it’s always polarizing, right? Anytime 
you rank anybody one through 20 or whatnot,   we we love to hear the feedback from the 
fans. What do you guys think? Do you do you like being part of these shows like where you’re 
ranking stuff and it’s it’s always up for debate,   isn’t it? But the challenge is you’re going to 
make someone mad. You never think about making someone happy. Nobody ever says I don’t think we 
do. Nobody ever says that was a good job. You guys   did really good or thank you very much. You put me 
at number 18. All it is about the guys or you guys nailed it or you have a bias against our team. So 
yeah, I love them. I love them. Are they tough to   do? You guys did that. You put your input in, 
right? It is hard. It is hard because I think especially when you get to the end of some of 
these lists like you can open it up to be in about   25 players who could get into that top 20 in this 
case but uh I I think in a lot of the categories that we’ve done the the top end guys are pretty 
much said for right okay all right let’s take a   look at last year’s list so we have something 
to go off of for this year so here you go your 2024 top 20 wings right here Nikita Cuchov taking 
the cake in that department number one Kachchuck number two what a year he’s been on Miko Ranton 
your top three anything jump off the page to you guys here as we look back on what we had a year 
ago? Uh Cuchov obviously, but also some of the guys who popped on there. You’re thinking Zack 
Heyman appearing for the first time. Travis Kne,   Clayton Keller, players like that who are sort 
of ascending and you wonder what the true measure of greatness is. Can you do it year after year 
after year? It’s hard to. So, we’ll see how many of these guys can make it back to list again 
this year. And one name that jumps out to me,   Brad Marian. You see him there at 18. Well, if 
we look at Brad Marshian, the way it ended, oh my goodness, we’re like, oh my gosh, this guy almost 
won a con smite. Is he going to be number one? But   the regular season, right? But the regular season, 
you could be like, I can understand if he dropped off or or was not on this list this year. What’s 
your definition of right now? I guess we’ll find   out. Without further ado, let’s go 20 through 16. 
Our top 20 winger right now. Let’s take a look at this year. All right, so Adrien Kempe making 
the list at number 20. How about Matt Baldi, first time on the top 20 list as well, number 
19, Philip Forsber at 18. the grade eight. Alex Ovetchkin, what a season he had at number 17 and 
Jason Robertson at number 16. Let’s start with now the greatest goal scorer in the NHL, Alex Ovetkin. 
What a season it was for not only him but also the Washington Capitals in the regular season. 
I mean, it was fun to watch, right? We were   following it. We were paying attention every day. 
You were getting OV watch. Everybody’s checking in on that. But I think this was a nice indicator, 
not just the record itself, which is incredible, but the longevity and the streakiness still like 
he can get running Johnny still and he could be as hot as anybody. The fact that this guy at this 
age deserves to be on this list is incredible. He scored second highest goals per game in the NHL. 
We know he’s a goal scorer first and foremost and best of all time in the history of the NHL, but 
he was on pace for well over 50 goals had he been   able to play the entire season. And he did this, 
would he fracture his fibula? Yeah. At some point in the year as well, and still came back and put 
up this kind of year, would have been 90 points,   would have been 50 plus goals, which would 
have had him even higher on list. And oh yeah, he was a captain of one of the best teams in 
the league as well. So it’s amazing. We saw him get hurt for one of the first times, but also how 
quickly and how well he recovered and how well he   can still score the puck. It’s the hardest thing 
to do in the NHL and he’s the best of all time and he’s still still going strong. You mentioned it. 
I I remember with that rip that he was on at the   beginning of the season and we started comparing 
it because you talked about who at that time was is going to be the all-time greatest goal scorer. 
But when it was as good, if not better, than any clip he’s been on in his career. That’s how good 
he was still getting it done at that eight. And   then when he got close to the record, too, like 
when the pressure really mounts, all of a sudden and we hear about pressure from players and and 
he would have felt pressure to try to get it done   this year. He had the commissioner, Wayne Gretzky 
following around. You don’t want to keep them on the road for 3 weeks. It did not matter when 
it when everyone that they were playing against was like his entire career. We’re going to take 
him away. We’re not going to let him shoot it.   We’re going to defend and shade to him. None of 
it mattered and it mattered even less when he’s getting close to beating Wayne Gretzky’s record. 
It was an incredible year for him. All right,   so Alex Sovetkin at number 17. At number 16, 
how about Jason Robertson? Bit of a drop from last year. We saw last year’s ranking. He was 
number six. He drops 10 spots down to number 16,   but it feels like Robo is a guy that has a lot of 
gas left in that tank. Yeah, I I think the biggest thing for Robo is probably just consistency. And 
you can argue I mean how much more consistent? He’s at least an 80 point guy. he seems like every 
single year. But I I just think that that just   shows how high the ceiling is for him. Just turned 
26. I don’t think he’s a finished product, but he’s certainly explosive when he’s kind of in his 
groove. I think the big thing is he kind of goes   dry at different times, and maybe that’s what we 
saw here. I wonder, you see 82 games played year after year after year, but he hasn’t always been 
healthy. He hasn’t always started the season after a normal summer of training. Last year, I don’t 
think he was entirely healthy in the summer. Yes,   he manages to play every single game, which should 
be commended. Yeah, because he could have missed some time and maybe trained a little bit more. Got 
off to a slow start for sure, but he is a talented talented offensive player, but that’s a down year. 
35 and 80, that’s a down year. Um, I still think he absolutely has 100 point production in him. And 
one of the strengths of his situation, but also maybe one of the limiting factors that he plays on 
a team that is really deep. So, they don’t have to rely on him. He doesn’t have to get too too much 
ice time. He has to share the wealth and he’s got   a lot of good players to share it with. Yeah, 
I think that that’s why when you look at that board right there, but then you also add in Miko 
Ranson in I I think that serves Jason Robertson   really well. Not just because, hey, on the power 
play, you’ll get a play with a great another great player, but that’s where the focus is going to be 
on the opponents. I I don’t know if you’re going   in there and game planning for Jason Robertson, 
which you probably should. On most teams that he would be on, you would be, but Miko Ren could 
take some of that off his plate. I’m also curious   because he talked about wanting to make the four 
nations. Yeah. And how he was almost distracted or preoccupied by his desire to represent the 
states in that tournament to a negative. And then once the team was picked and he wasn’t on 
it, he sort of let it go and got better. Yeah. It was like the revenge tour for next year. The 
Olympics coming up. Yes. He’s not going to be on   the mission. He like But he’s not going to be on 
the, you know, I don’t know if he’s going to make that team. Same sort of thing will be hanging over 
him. How does he deal with it next year so that he doesn’t go through the kind of slow start he had 
to go through this last year? I think about this   back to his rookie year, too. Do you remember how 
interesting he made that Calder race with Carell Capri? He started like halfway through the season. 
Halfway through the season and he went on this   absolute killing. So that’s the big thing, Johnny, 
is I I I love when the superstars, they might say, “Hey, I don’t listen to the outside noise, but 
they hear it. They use it as motivation.” I think   he will. I’m expecting a big year from him. All 
right, time will tell on that front. We’re just getting started here on our countdown. We’ll 
take our first time out when we come back. He   made a massive impact for his country at the poor 
nations faceoff. Had a big impact for his team up in Ottawa. Find out where the sends captain 
Brady Kachchuck ranks when our countdown returns. No one can answer Kachchuck. He just 
plays the game the right way. Score. He’s built in school. You got to love this game.   A super pass. That’s extremely tough. 
Austin bench by Brady Kachchuck. He’s always in the blue paint. If he goes to 
the dirty areas, he never has a night off. And it’s in Brady Kachchuck. He’s a force to be 
reckoned with. The heart of that hockey club. All right, Brady Kachchuck definitely on our 
top 20 countdown. The question is where. Here   is your answer at number 14. Taking a look at 15 
through 11 right now. Clayton Keller of the Utah Mammoth at number 15. Kachchuck as we mentioned 
at 14. Brandon Hegel at number 13 from the Bolts. Jesper Bra from the Devils at 12. And Jake Gensel, 
new team, same production coming in at number 11. Let’s talk about Brady Kachchuck. And Johnny, you 
talked about guys in the pressure of representing   your country. Uh he seems to relish that kind of 
thing. Both him and his brother and what they did at the Four Nations Face Off. Put a cape on 
the guy cuz he was like a superhero. Yeah,   he was Captain America. He was incredible and 
and I think it’s a real testament to his game, his personality, and the different ways that he 
can impact his team success. The fact that his stats went down, but the perception of his game 
went up. You know, he didn’t score 30 goals this   year, didn’t have 80 points, but we saw what he 
can do certainly when he represent his country. And I think we’re always waiting rougher. Imagine 
what Braden Chuck can do when he’s on a better   team. Imagine what Brady Kachchuck could do when 
it matters more. when he plays for something that is that emotional and that physical because that’s 
what he’s better at than just about anybody in the   league and he kind of showed it in the for nations 
down the stretch to get Ottawa the playoffs even in the playoffs. I think it’s just this the fact 
that he can impact the game without just scoring points, which is tough because when you’re talking 
about these lists, they’re very point driven as   they should be because that’s the name of the 
game, right? You got to score more goals than the opponent. You need guys and that can put the 
puck in the net. And like you mentioned, Johnny,   his numbers were a little bit down for him, but 
his all those other intangibles that he brings is what makes him so valuable and how you you 
can’t underestimate that on a list like this.   I mean, he can impact the game and not be on 
the score sheet. Uh he probably will be he’ll probably take a penalty if he’s not getting 
any any points, but he’s just uh we saw that   time and time again this year. I can’t wait to 
watch him continue to develop with this Ottawa team and see see him in the playoffs every year. 
I’m around that team a little bit. I’m down with   him in the benches. You get a sense of the kind 
of leader that Brady Kachchuck is. And it’s he is vocal. He is passionate. He is in your face as a 
teammate. He is in your face as the opponent. And and I not a lot of guys are like that in today’s 
NHL. That’s another element of the way that makes   his leadership style unique. He brings it when 
he plays, but he also asks you to bring it as a teammate and not afraid to challenge you that 
way in a good way. And I I think that’s why a lot   of people want to rally behind Brady Kachchuck 
and recognize how special player he is. Lead by example. All right. Uh how about number 13? A 
guy who’s cracking the top 20 for the first time   in his career. Brandon Hegel. And what a year 
he had. How about this? These are the numbers over the last two seasons, but how about last 
season? 35 goals. Not one of those goals coming on the power play seems impossible, right? It’s 
incredible. That’s NHL history right there. He’s   had more goals without a power play goal in a 
season. Yeah. I mean, this is I I love the fact that he plays in all situations, too, because he 
is on the power play. So, it’s not like he’s not   getting them because he’s not on it. So, uh but 
he also kills penalties. He’s done that in his career. Uh he could do a little bit of everything. 
Johnny’s a he’s an antagonist as well. Like this is talking about players who can make an impact on 
the game in various ways. I mean, Hegel’s that and look at you see him getting more and more and more 
and that’s what it’s about in the league, right?   You you get the trust of the coach or coaches. You 
played on a couple teams now and you get a little more minutes, a little more production, a little 
more minutes, a little more production. Now, you   look at him, he’s he’s absolutely incredible what 
he’s been doing. I when he got to Tampa, we’re like, “Oh, yeah, he’s a good player. They got him 
on a good contract. I understand why Tampa would   want him.” There was no part of me that thought he 
had this in his game. you recognize he’s got some skills, but a 90point player, a guy who’s top five 
in even strength goals in the league, playing 21 plus minutes on one of the better teams in the 
NHL. And you’re right, he’s a great compliment   to other good players. And that’s that that’s a 
skill in itself that he can play with other great players, but he doesn’t have to. He can play down 
the lineup. He can play with Seli and Paul who are   good players, but not necessarily high high-end 
guys, and still be effective. And then same thing, eyebrows raised a little bit when he was named 
to the Four Nations. You weren’t quite sure,   you know, is that a bit of a stretch? Is that 
a John Cooper thing, you look at the numbers, you recognize a player? It wasn’t at all. He 
deserves to be there. And he played well enough.   He’s probably going to be an Olympic team as well, 
which is going to be that much harder to make. So, uh, it’s an incredible his ascension. I don’t 
know. I feel like he’s got to be near the ceiling,   but what that board showed us, maybe, maybe not. 
Who knows? And maybe score some power play goals. Sky’s the limit. Five PPGs. He’s got 40 five 
goals without one on the power play. Pretty impressive. How about number 12, Jasper Brat? 
Also another first timer on our list. And Ruper,   I know you’re impressed with his game, and it’s 
not just all about the points in the offense, right? Uh yeah. I mean, here’s a player that 
at one point in the season, I remember I saw   the stat where he had he’s the only player in 
the league that had over 80 points and over 80 hits. And you might say, I mean, I don’t think 
of him as a physical player, but I like this the   fact that a higher echelon guy getting points, 
he’s willing to get his body in there. He’s not a big guy. He he’ll throw his weight around. 
He’s thick. He He’s got some some strength   to him. But I just love the fact that he I think 
there’s another level of consistency in his game, but he’s also been a pretty effective player with 
Jack Hughes out at times. Like he’s about a point   a game over the last number of seasons with Jack 
Hughes out. So, he’s just not feeding off of Jack Hughes’s great talents on offense. He can generate 
he can generate and drive offense. I think he’s It’s really impressive in this list. I I I didn’t 
know in 30 years of existence with the Devils that this was the record, but he set that with most 
assistance season. It’s pretty impressive. He’s   a play driver. There’s no doubt. And I won’t do 
this for every player. I think he was on my top 20 last year, too. I think so. He is a dynamic player 
and he might get lost in the shuffle a little bit   because of Jack Hughes, because how great Jack 
Hughes is and some of the other players that he plays with, but he in himself one of the best 
transporters of the puck in the entire NHL. Zone exits, zone entries, generating off the rush. 
You mentioned his willingness to get physical.   You can’t produce the amount that he does without 
willing to take hits, give hits, battle for pucks. He’s very good at that. You know, if he wants 
to maybe get even higher on this list, you know,   that goal, we love the 67 assist. That’s a monster 
number. Monster. Pushing closer to 30 goals would be, you know, a few more goals, a bit more goal 
scoring for him. But he is an absolutely dynamic   player. And any thought that some of Jersey guys 
might not be made for the playoffs, he’s not one of those guys. He is a He is a He’s a competitive, 
gritty, incredibly skilled player. All right, Jper Brat on our list for the first time. Not 
Johnny’s list. We’re going to stay there five years running. All right. Uh how about number 11? 
Everybody had this guy in the top 20. I could say   that uh convincingly. How about Jake Gensel, 
right? You think new team, his first chance at free agency. Where’s he going to go? Well, he 
chooses Tampa. Guess what? It’s not just a product   of Sydney Crosby and those superstar guys. Like, 
this guy can produce. He can produce with anybody. He can produce on his own. How about Jake Gensel? 
New city, new team, same old production. Yeah. I   mean, listen, the three of us, we’ve talked about 
this guy like in this light for years. He’s not uh he’s not a benefactor of just who he’s 
playing with. Does that help? Absolutely.   It helps. He helps them too. Yes, he can drive. 
He thinks the game at elite level. He’s fearless. He’s not big. He goes in there. Sometimes he 
takes some pretty nasty hits because of it,   but he bounces back up and he gets his nose right 
back in there. I love Jake Gel. I love what he’s showing here because it was always oh well he 
gets to play with Sid gets to play with Sid and   you start seeing him now yes he gets to play with 
Nikita Cooer but he’s also showing that it doesn’t matter what team what you run as far as X’s and 
O’s put Jake Gensel out there he’s going to make plays that is what he does he’s always been that 
guy though right I mean I think even from the day he got in the NHL this guy’s he’s underwhelming 
under assuming when you see his personality and he’s a quiet spoken and he doesn’t run around out 
there on the ice. All he does is go out there and produce year after year after year from the time 
he played in college into the minors and now clearly on through the pros and there would be a 
little bit of pressure because when you’re a UFA,   you pick your team. Not to mention Tampa made some 
adjustments with their Steven Stampos captain to maybe accommodate you in some capacity. Now 
it turned out to be a very good decision. So,   there’s some pressure on him to to validate 
Tampa’s belief in him. And he he certainly did that. Just another consistent point per game. 
And I I just love how he just he just plays. He’s not getting caught up in the, you know, and 
he he does what he does well. He won’t let you get him off his game. He’s like, I’m not going 
to bother with you. I can’t beat you at that,   but I’m just going to go to the front of the net, 
take hits, make plays. He’s always had a great stick around the net. And and that’s what you’re 
saying around the net. He’s not a perimeter guy.   He is a guy that gets in there and that he’s 
consistent at it. So his teammates know, hey, we got Jake in this spot. I get the puck to the net. 
And I think that’s what makes him very valuable.   Yeah. And he’s not just a regular season guy, 
too. Like the bigger the moments we’ve seen him in Pittsburgh in the playoffs and stuff, like he 
is a playoff numbers are the brighter the moment,   the bigger he shines. Like what was the biggest 
moment last year? The four nations for sure. He was really good in that tournament. Would you 
guys have him higher on your list? I we’ll   get a chance to see your individual list. You’re 
running into some pretty good players. That’s the problem. Pretty good player. He would warrant that 
consideration. I could see it. I don’t know if we get time to see our list. I’ll see where I had 
him. I don’t know where I had him, but I I think   this is around that area. The right spot. All 
right. We’ll see. We’ll leave it up to Twitter. How’s that? They’re more wings than any other 
position. I know. Tough look. We should top 50. Uh we’ll take a timeout here on our top 20 countdown. 
When we come back, back-to-back cups for the Florida Panthers. Find out where a couple of their 
guys rank on our list when NFL Tonight returns. Game six of the Stanley Cup final. Panthers 
lead three games to two. Looking to close it   out. Make it back to back. Cup scor. Sam 
Reinhardt kickstarts Florida again. What a play. High slot touch. He scores. Oh, what a 
big goal. It’s a hat-tick. Sam Reinhardt. Down to the final 5 seconds. Reds rain down. Port 
Stanley staying in South Florida. Last year was greatness. This time it’s historic. The Florida 
Panthers are backto back Stanley Cup champions. All right, here we go inside our top 10 right now. 
We start at number 10 with the bread man are Tammy   Paneran. After that, it’s Kyle Connor. Number 
nine, Sam Reinhardt and Matthew Kachchuck. Couple of back-to-back Stanley Cup champions checking in 
at 8 and seven, respectively. And at number six, William Knander. Let’s start with Sam Reinhardt. 
What a two years it’s been for Sam Reinhardt down there in South Florida. He has that 57 goal season 
two years ago. Follows that up with just a 39 goal season. I think one shy of 40. Gets the new 
contract backto-back cups. Actually jumps up   one spot. He was number nine on our list last 
year. He’s up to eight this year. I I love his game and how he can influence a game in general. 
But just the fact that he went from 57, I think going into last season, Johnny, I’m like, you know 
what, it’s not going to be that. We feel pretty   confident it’s not going to be that. I’m actually 
really surprised he got the 39. And I mean it from the like he’s still a 40 goal guy. You know what I 
mean? And so I think that’s I think that’s who he   is now. I think that’s who he is and how he’s used 
down there in Florida. So I’m really impressed of what he’s been putting together here. And we’re 
seeing some of the best Sam Reinhardt over the   last couple seasons. 40 goal guy who also as a 
winger is a selky finalist. It’s hard when you’re a wing to get recognized for excellent defensive 
play. You have to be really elite to be in that consideration. And he is that the fact that he can 
play with the Selki winner and also be recognized himself. Again, he he’s not good because he 
plays with Barkov. He’s good because he’s   he’s great because he’s great at it. And the goal 
scoring short-handed goals as well threaten every situation. And then you think, okay, what is what 
is Sam Reinhardt great at beyond mentally? He’s not the fastest, not the biggest, doesn’t shoot 
it the hardest. I I guess he shoots it accurately, but like he doesn’t overwhelm you with his 
any individual physical skill, but his his   knowledge of the game is able to read it and all 
all of that. And then in the playoffs when it’s supposed to get harder for players, he certainly 
doesn’t have any issue with that either. Had a   great playoff run this spring. Of course, the 
hat-tick there to finish it off was an incredible night for Florida. So, there is no stage too big. 
he can do it in every possible situation. And the reason why he jumped up despite the numbers going 
down cuz I think the idea that it was a once in a-lifetime season Yeah. is out the window. I think 
we now realize every year he’s going to be in this   because every year he’s going to be excellent. 
You mentioned what is he great at? I I would throw in the power play on the bumper. When I think of 
the power play and some of the elite bumper guys,   like I think of him first and foremost. And it’s 
funny because we we’ve covered the finals here for these guys for a while. And uh when they need 
something, the guy you think of that can change the game with one touch of the puck on a stick at 
Sam Reinhardt. And that’s no knock. I mean, he’s   not I think Sasha Barov’s a better player. But the 
point is this guy’s a game changer and he knows to find that spot whether it’s on the power play or 
that soft area on the ice between coverage and   it just has to be there one second and it’s in the 
back of the net. I think that’s the one thing that jumps out to me is when you need a big moment. 
I feel like Sam Reinhardt’s your guy. As far   as excellence versus time of possession, he’s low 
cuz he doesn’t have it on his stick a lot. Doesn’t need it cuz it’s on and off and back of the net. 
All right, Reinhardt up a spot to number eight. At   number seven, Matthew Kachchuck. Matthew Kachchuck 
dropping a couple of spots. He was number two on our list last year. If we phoned him up, you 
think he would care right now? I don’t think   so. He’s in his pool at the Cup. I mean, backto 
back Stanley Cups. You think of this guy getting traded to Florida. He’s been there three seasons 
now. All three seasons he’s made the Stanley Cup   finals. He’s won two of those. You talk about a 
guy impacting and maybe changing the trajectory of that franchise. Has anybody done that more than 
this guy at number seven? No, not at all. I mean, just think about all the different ways that he 
has changed the dynamic of that team. Not just   the success, but the perception and the culture 
and the business and the value and all of it. And we know he was hurt and we almost love him 
for the reason he got hurt playing in the foreign nations. He should not have played the last couple 
games, right? But he was doing it anyways because   he could not want anymore to be successful for the 
US and and the way that he famously started that one game against Canada, but just really became 
the face of that tournament. That tournament was   the was the the huge deal. He was the biggest 
spokesperson for it in all the right ways when he was there. And not surprising, we know that he 
loves the big moment. We know he loves emotional antagonistic game games, but the plays he makes 
with a puck. Yeah, it’s just the plays he can make with a puck. Another guy who’s not blessed 
with being a great skater, but has great hands,   great vision, and playing with one leg in the 
playoffs was incredibly productive as well. He’s just a gamer. Whatever cliche word you want to use 
for hockey player, that’s what Matthew Kachchuck is. I think back to when they lost to Vegas 
and you remember he had the fractured sternum and he’s playing through it. Should not have been 
playing. I mean that’s one thing he gone through   a lot of things and I think he’s learning how to 
manage the injuries the the wear and tear of the way he plays but also at the same time adjusting 
his game at times to be productive in maybe less games at times maybe taking care of your body so 
in the right moments I can be that guy. And we’ve   seen it in Foreign Nations. We’ve seen it in the 
playoffs. Gez, we see it in the summertime. He’s still in the video games. Oh, you called him a 
gamer. He literally is now, right? He’s on the   cover of it. He Is there a player over the last 
couple years that has been more of a spokesperson for the NHL? I think that Matthew Kachchuck, 
he’s everywhere, deservingly so. We love guys   like this. We’re waiting for guys like this. I 
love watching him take advantage of that. You can have big personality, but it doesn’t land unless 
you got big game, right? You got to have a game   to back it up always. And first and foremost, 
he is an elite level player. Yep. All right, checking in on our list at number seven. How about 
number six, William Knander, Toronto Maple Leafs. Of course, the core up there in Toronto is not 
going to look the same coming into this season.   This guy wasn’t going anywhere. And Johnny, we 
talked about it in our pre-production meeting. Uh, this guy could he handles that city. He handles 
that pressure, right? It doesn’t rattle him. He’s   a perfect fit for Toronto. Why? Because he has 
that attitude and energy that he doesn’t care. Now, of course, he cares, but he’s not bothered 
by the very loud noise that surrounds the Toronto Maple Leafs and their best players. Whether you’re 
doing well and you’re being showered with praise,   it doesn’t get him too excited, he doesn’t 
worry about it. And if you’re doing poorly, he doesn’t worry about it. The best is talking to 
William Knander after Toronto loses three games   in a row and the sky is falling and the fans 
are upset and he’s like, “Guys, cares three games. It’s fine. We’ll get him next game.” and 
he just saunters off, towel around his shoulder,   shirts off, no big deal. And then he goes and 
backs it up. And he is one of the most Austin Matthews is obviously Toronto’s best player, but 
he might be the physically most gifted when it   comes to skating. You watch the way that he can 
use his edges, a lot like his dad used to when he used to chase his dad around Michael when he 
when he played. The way he can escape, find space,   shoot the puck. You can’t cover him one-on-one 
when he he loves to get out by the blue line, dare the defense, and come come out to my 
territory and try try to cover me because   you can’t. He is a a really unique player in that 
way that most great players, even the ones on this list. They’re they’re not individual players per 
se because it’s hard to beat anyone one-on-one. William Neander still has that skill. You know, 
Johnny, you’re around this team a lot. I I find   over the last few years what I’ve learned about 
him. I think and it’s no an an endorsement of one is an indictment for anybody else that he is the 
game breaker for this team. Like he is the guy in the big moments I think that has the ability to 
elevate and find another level because of like   that those things you’re saying one-on-one he’s 
a nightmare. You can’t co you can’t cover him one-on-one. And a lot of teams in this league now 
we’re starting to see some hybrid defensive zone   coverages that feeds right into what this guy 
does. I He’s so silky smooth and to your point, it almost feels like nothing bothers him. So, 
you never really see him on the other end of   guys trying to get under skin because I think guys 
know I’m not going to bother. It’s not going to affect a guy like that. He He’s silky smooth out 
there. He’s fun to watch. But don’t mistake his casual demeanor with lack of fire, right? Again, 
you know, I’m privy to being down by the benches and you see him whether it’s breaking his stick 
or getting mad at himself or getting mad at his   teammates. saw that clip in that show a couple 
years ago getting after his linemates like he he burns to be great. He wants the puck. He wants 
the pressure. He wants the moment cuz he thinks he can do it. So, he is uh and it’s going to be 
that much bigger next year. Yes. Without Mitch   Martner around, more will be asked of him, but 
he might be capable of delivering even more than what he already has. Looking ahead to the future 
with the new CBA and that’s agreed upon and the   no dress code. I I’m interested to see how he 
would roll up to the arena without, you know, like he’s still wearing a suit. He’s got a guy 
that You think so? He’s got some serious Austin   up there. Some days it’ll be a suit. Some days it 
might look like he’s going to the beach. Either way, we’re going to be watching either way. 
And he’ll love it in Toronto in February. And   he’ll love it. You never know. All right. He’ll 
still bring it on the ice. That we do know. When we come back here on our countdown, former Leaf 
Mitch Mner joining the Vegas Golden Knights. Find out where Martyr ranks and what the expectations 
are for his first season out west. That’s next. Vicker is a hell of a player. Mitch does so 
many things so well offensively, defensively,   and killing penalties. He’s so skilled. To the net 
and scores. Some magic from Mitch Marty. He’s an electrifying player. The hockey sense he’s got it 
up there. is a god gift. He’s as tenacious away from the puck as he is on the puck. And a head for 
Mitch Carter. Mitch Marter scores. Mitch Martner has hit the century mark. What a year for Mitch 
Martner. All right, there you go. Mitch Martner coming in at number five. Will not be wearing that 
sweater that we just saw because he is now a Vegas Golden Knight. Um, let’s talk about Mitch Martner 
first and then talk about his new situation next. Mitch Marty the player number five top five 
players top five wingers in the National Hockey   League. Yes. Yeah. I mean he he’s an incredibly 
talented player. Yeah. 100 points plus for the first time in his career. Um obviously a setup guy 
primarily more than a goal scorer but still can score, you know, upwards of 30 goals. He played 
point ruppper on the power play for a lot of the season. So he could there’s there’s no part of the 
game he doesn’t touch. There’s no sort of role he   can’t fill. Penalty kill. checking their team’s 
best players, obviously trying to score. Um, great vision, great brain for the game. He just 
has a real knack for making plays all the time. Now, the one big knock on Mitch Mner is, of 
course, playoff production and playoff success because the regular season production, he is 
a top five guy all day long. Now, this year, he had a point a game. Like, that’s terrible. 
But again, even in a good year, it’s slightly down from what he does. And it really is his 
rate of goals goes way down in the playoffs, but in the regular season, undoubtedly one of the 
best wingers in the entire NHL. The guy that every player would want to play with because he makes 
your game easier and more productive. He takes a lot of heat. We know this. You just touched on 
it. And the regular season, he’s a guy though that I think gets you to a place, gets you to 
the spot where you can win your division. I   think Mitch Martner is a guy that will get you 
a lot of points when I say points, standings points in your favor. That’s very valuable. 
Yes. You know, and I almost compare him. No,   he’s he’s kind of a comp to me. Him and Art Tammy 
Panera. So, Art Tammy Panera, I think, was a great signing for the Rangers. I think he’s been very 
valuable. Hasn’t always had the playoff success,   but he gets that team to a certain level during 
the regular season. That’s Mitch Martin. Now, we’ll see how that translates here to Vegas. I’m 
so excited to see his game. I don’t know. Will he   get to 100? Theoretically, he might have more. He 
might even set another career. He might be playing with Jack Eel like that. I’m very interested 
because you touched on it, Johnny. He could do   everything. And I want to see how he fits in there 
in Vegas. It could be a lethal combination. Is he freed up? I think he acknowledged that he felt 
the weight, not always pressure, but just the weight. He’s a Toronto kid playing for Toronto. 
He was going, if he had not left, he would have gone down as the greatest Toronto-born Maple Leaf 
of all time. Yeah. And so I think he carried that sort of weight of, you know, everyone watching 
wanting to do so well, want to do so well. If   he somehow is freed up mentally and emotionally 
from being in Vegas in a different environment, yes, there’s a lot of pressure there. Pressure 
from yourself, pressure from the organization,   but just different. And he’s a dad now and he’s 
married now and it there are maybe more levels for him to get to because he he has always been 
whether it’s junior into the NHL, you know, one of the very best in the world. Yeah. Last thing I 
want to say, and this is not a shot to the Leafs, too, but the Leafs have never They haven’t been 
They’re starting to get their a team that does   certain things in the playoffs. So, you can’t just 
put the blame on him. The team didn’t play certain styles that translated well to playoff hockey. 
Vegas does, right? So, now all of a sudden, he could just all a sudden become a playoff 
performer. We don’t know yet till we see him   in that sweater. And it it might be 85 points, but 
more playoff success, which he would gladly take, and so would Vegas. So he’s he’s done everything 
you can possibly do. Yep. Individually other than have playoff success and that’s what he’s chasing 
in Vegas. Comparison Jack Eel when Jack Eel was in   Buffalo, right? Same thing. Center of attention, 
the pressure and all that stuff to have to be the guy he goes to Vegas. Doesn’t have to be the guy 
and yet his game takes off. But everybody labeled   Jack is he’s not a winner. You can’t win with 
that guy. That guy’s going to detract from your team. I’m not saying Mitch has those same types of 
things, but No, he does have that now. Now all of a sudden you look at Jack. Jack is a leader. Jack 
is all he’s climbing up that cent’s list which we’ll get to another day. Well done. All right, 
Mitch Marner cracking our top five at number five. At number four, what a whirlwind year it was for 
this guy. Nico Ranton, three teams in one season, right? Traded from the Colorado Avalanche to 
the Carolina Hurricanes. He’s only there for   about a couple of weeks and then traded down to 
the Dallas Stars. And who does he play in the first round? He plays his former team in Colorado. 
This guy’s just hoping to wear one sweater for one   season at this point, but he got the big deal. 
With that comes what kind of expectations? I I think they would tell him, “No different than what 
you went into every season with. We’re paying you not to be better than what you’ve done. We’re 
paying you to do what you always do.” And so,   it’s so strange. I don’t think there’ll be any 
player on any of these lists that played for three teams in a season. For a player this good 
to move twice in a year is unheard of in the NHL. And so we understand why and the situation around 
it. But the fact that he was as productive as he   was going through an emotional negotiation which 
you know I think as word leaked out afterwards he was sort of part of and was trying to work through 
and then going through a tricky adjustment in Carolina maybe a place he wasn’t sure he wanted to 
stay longterm. And then going into Dallas finally   now Dallas all those finished players probably 
made him feel a little bit more at home and he gets the contract that would settle him in for 
the long term. But then you’d walk right into   playing against Colorado and if he would have been 
completely excused if that felt like too much, right? Hard series for him. And yet he was great. 
He was unbelievable that series. And I think that’s why he’s so high. We know he’s so great 
offensively, but in the playoffs, he is one of   the best producers of this generation of players 
when it comes to the playoffs. that you can grab all these different aspects as far as maybe his 
numbers weren’t good in Carolina, weren’t good in   Dallas in the regular season or what his standard 
is, but I can’t unsee what we saw in the playoffs. And there’s very few when I say very few, like 
you might be able to count him on one hand,   possibly a couple fingers or the other hand 
in the world that can take over series games, drive you, drag their team over the finish line 
that we saw from Migo Rant, an absolute heater. it. You don’t just fall upon that. That’s 
in there. We’ll see if he can get that out   a little more consistently here being the big 
dog in Dallas. But I thought he was fantastic. And how about just having like a full summer to 
kind of settle into his new honks down there in   Dallas and just get a training camp with his new 
team and stuff like that. It feels like the sky’s the limit for Ren down in Dallas, especially 
when he was so candid about being unsettled. Not everyone reacts the same to the same, but he 
clearly was a guy who was craving consistency and stability. He’s got it for a decade on a really 
good team. And so I don’t again, another one of those guys. I’m not sure if he’ll score 50 again 
and get 105 points, but I still think he might   be on one of the best teams in the league and 
still be the best player on it. He might not have to do that other season, but then you get in 
a playoff series, that guy could be knocking at   the door to the next round. All right, how about 
at number three, Carrill Capri Solva. You talk about a guy we talked about Ranton getting a big 
payday. This guy, this guy might be the highest   paid guy in the NHL at some point coming up soon 
because he is eligible to sign that extension with Minnesota right now. So time is ticking on that 
front. But when you talk about a guy who is the identity and the heartbeat of that organization, 
Ruper, is there anybody more suited to that maybe category than Carell Capriovv in Minnesota? 
No. No. And when I put my list together here,   I really struggled at where I had him because 
I’m I I didn’t have him at one, but I’m like, is he at two? Is he at three? Like I knew it was 
in that stretch. He’s right there. And we’ll get   to two in a second. You’ll see like what we think 
about him in in comps, but this is a player that analytics, he’s got that check. Everybody, the 
community paying this man whatever he wants cuz   he’s great. The eye test, you watch him pulls you 
out of your seat. He’s on a team that we’ve talked about for years that hasn’t had a high-end center. 
He doesn’t have high-end players to play with. He   makes them much better. Concern of mine is he’s 
been missing some time with injuries. Like, and that’s one thing that maybe would keep him 
back at three for me. But Johnny, like this guy’s   once in a lifetime pet player. Yeah. Which is why 
Minnesota is going to do anything and everything to keep him there as long as he will stay. Perfect 
time for all that dead money to come off their cap   because it’s all got to go right to Capri off and 
he deserves it. But you’re exactly righter to be a play driving winger without high high Rossy’s 
a good player and Hartman’s a good player but they’re not on the top 20 list for centers and he 
does does not matter. he can create and he’s at the point now on this team where the other team’s 
game plan would revolve almost solely around solely around controlling Capri off because if you 
can stop him you’re going to have a good chance to   beat Minnesota right you can’t stop him now I want 
to see him healthy a whole 82 games and I want to see him push 50 goals and I want to see him push 
110 115 points because he has that kind of talent and when he does that then he’s right there with 
the very best in the league yeah they were one of the top teams in the league until up until maybe 
Christmas time he gets injured, the wheels kind of   fall off and then they get him back and the rest 
is history. He’s just magic though. He’s not a big guy. He’s not like our tall player, but he gets 
that puck and you can’t get it from him. He’s got   the creative to open up the legs and shifty and 
they call him the thrill for the reason. Carell Capri off coming in at number three. We’ll 
take a timeout and then there were two pasta and cooch our top two wings on our countdown. The 
question is who’s number one? to find out next. Pasta looks like himself again. Wow. He’s been 
fun to watch over the last several weeks. He’s   always fun to watch. Did someone ask for some 
pasta? You see the amount of points he had in the month? 28 points. That’s hard to get in the 
scene. It’s almost 31. It’s only 31 days. He’s   got goals in four straight. David Postno stepped 
the rocket. Even from the dot or further out, he can still beat you. Started off February with a 
hat-tick. 18th career hattick for David Posterno. All right, the man they call pasta in Boston. 
David Poserno coming in at number two on our top   20 wings right now in the NHL. Deservedly so. 
Third straight 100 point season for the Boston Bruins. Only other two other bees have ever done 
that. Bobby or heard of him? Yes. Phil Spazto, heard of him. Good company. Great company 
for David Posnock. Speaking of company,   a lot of his good company has gone on to either 
retirements or different teams. The guy what he did last year might have been working with is 
pretty impressive, isn’t it? I think I think it’s been one of the more impressive individual 
seasons that we’ve seen. I mean, it’s up   there with anyone that we’ve seen in the last 10 
years plus. I think uh what he did with not much to play with. It was not a good team. Terrible 
power play. who was not a power play merchant,   led the league five on five uh points. Uh he was 
a oneman. We tal you just talked about Capri off like you’re going in to play Minnesota. Like 
you’re it’s all around Carrill Capri off. Well,   I mean it’s all around David Post when he 
go to play the Bruins. It didn’t matter, man. That second half he was incredible. Yeah. I 
mean, and you see that he plays every single game impressively that he he battles through it. Um you 
see that way he finished trying to drive his team   down the down the stretch and try to get towards 
the playoffs. Uh he turned Geeky into a elite level scorer and to a nice contract. He can do it 
all. He He can do it all. He is crafty offensively one-on-one. The tow drags and the slippery moves. 
We know he’s a volume shooter. Every year it’s   McKinnon or Posternak. They take the most shots in 
the league. Um and he doesn’t have to have the man advantage. I think this matters. The fact he led 
the league in five on five points is an incredible   number. a lot of wingers on that board, I might 
add, as well for for guys who don’t drive offense all the time. But he is just one of the purest 
best offensive players. And it’s only going to get harder for him. Yeah. But fortunately for 
the Boston Bruins, he might be one of the rare   guys that he can do it without a super strong 
supporting cast. He’s so good and so and you’re not going to get into the top two in the wingers 
list in the National Hockey League without having   a good all-around game. We know about his shot, 
an elite shot, an incredible shot. can score some goals. His passing, like how do you play? You know 
what I mean? Like you got to be on your toes every second because he’s going to be in that shooting 
position. He’s so good at masking that shot too.   Then all of a sudden he just curls his wrist and 
snaps one back door to Morgan Geeki for a tap in. You know what I mean? Like that’s the thing. He’s 
so good at passing, so good at shooting. It’s hard   to hard to defend. What’s interesting about 
him too because he does like to float around the weak side and shoot a lot. And I think this 
year he evolved his game where he said, “You know   what? I need to have it on my stick and create for 
others.” not necessarily just look to convert but to create for you saw a guy who was able to adjust 
his game based on not his needs but his teams and his linemates needs and does anybody have more fun 
or at least it looks that way doing it than what   he does always with the biggest smile on his face 
David Posternok at number two how about number one he makes everybody better around him he’s the best 
shooter from the right circle here’s he scores This is why I say Oh, what a move by one 
of the best alltime playmaker setup guys ever. An unbelievable pass. No one 
sees the ice the way this guy does. Who else would it be? You could have 
just re-recorded last year’s show,   right? Kiducharov, uh, top winger last 
year in the NHL, also the top winger uh, this year according to our countdown. Hall of 
Fame resume already. I mean down year 121. Yeah, down year 121. He wins the Art Ross. Uh again, 
I think it’s the third time in his career. Yes,   he’s he’s done that. Also, Ted 
Lindsay award winner. I mean, you name it. This guy’s only 32 years old. He’s 
got a lot of track left to go here, but I mean,   like I said, if he didn’t play another game of the 
NHL, Hall of Famer, first easily, easily Hall of Famer. That’s that’s long since sales. He’s a 
couple more years from being Tampa’s greatest   player. He’s probably behind Stammer only at this 
point. Uh he’ll have that under his belt as well. He’s a magician. He is just pure offense and skill 
and talent with the puck. And what you watch him play and he makes it look easy. He makes it look 
effortless, but it’s not. Because when there’s a race for the puck, he doesn’t look fast except 
he’ll win the race. And when there’s a battle   for the puck, he doesn’t really play that 
physically until he wants the puck back and he go gets it. You know, like whatever he needs 
to do, he can do that at the highest level to do whatever he wants offensively. He’s probably the 
best power play quarterback in the league. Now, when it runs through him, the way that he can snap 
it around to whoever he’s out there with, there’s   Ruper. When it comes to offense, there’s nothing 
this guy can’t do. The way he thinks the game, the way he sees the game, it’s just different. and 
you watch him and he’ll be on that right circle   on the power play. Sometimes that puck will come 
in and and he’ll go short side inside the elbow. He’s got a great shot right there, but you get 
that same puck coming around the same look. He’ll   wind up for that fake or that half slap shot 
and then next thing you know, he’s putting a real nice touch into the middle there for Braden 
Point Puff now. Or he’s zipping it through to the   weak side or he’s getting it back to Victor 
Hedman. But all of the looks look the same, but he comes up with four different plays. 
like the guy is so hard to defend cuz I think   he’s seeing plays develop and happen way before 
they do. The honor of getting the Lindsay again. I mean, I know the heart is the more recognized 
historical award, but getting voted by your peers   the best player that really does resonate. I’m 
watching this highlight reel and another thing you think doesn’t shoot that well. Any shot you 
want, he’s got a wrist, slapper, de backhand, whatever you want. And it doesn’t come without 
work because he’s famous for 10 days after the season ends. Whenever it ends for Tampa, he’s back 
on the ice to the point where a whole bunch of the   Tampa guys, Anthony Celli, Brandon Hegel, they go 
down in August and they basically say, “Coo, when are you going on the ice?” And we’re like little 
puppy dogs going to follow you around and just do   whatever you do to try to learn off of you. He 
works at it to be as great as he is. All right, back toback years at number one. The question is 
when when will that reign come to an end? We don’t   know because of how good he is. David Poser knock 
at number two. Carell Capri at three. Miko Ranton at number four. Mitch Martyr number five. There 
is your top 10 good links right now according to us here at the NHL Network. You guys compiled your 
own list. So let’s take a look at your individual list, compare them to what the uh network 
overall had, and then maybe we can debate. Sure.   All right. Who’s going first? Throw it up there. 
Just try to get some more heat. Let’s see. Yeah, let’s not bring it on. Here you go. All right, 
so here’s your list. Let’s see. All right,   I’m pretty similar right there. That’s Hegel 
instead. You don’t have as high. Yeah, I have them a couple spots lower. I think Hegel I think 
Hegel is the one guy that stands out to me in lie   of Paneran. That’s Paneran’s incredible. It’s hard 
to leave him off, but they’re very similar players as far as a five on five production. I just 
thought Hegel with what he did that 35 nonp power play goals and 90 points. Um yeah, you can make 
it an easy argument for Peran, but I don’t mind   this list. I feel pretty good. I like that one. I 
don’t think anyone’s going to come at me too hard. Now Kyle Connor high, but he had a very quiet 
what do you have? 97 points or whatever it was.   So phenomenal. You had a great year. All right. Uh 
that’s Mike Johnson’s list. How about Mike Ruff’s list? Tear it apart, people. Crush it. I don’t 
even look at that. I got the same top four there. Gel a little bit higher. You know what? You know, 
when I got I flipped uh I flipped Willie Knander for me is is higher than Mitch Martin. And you 
know, we see where Mitch is. That’s the one big discrepancy from my list to the network’s list. 
And I I just think that the guys ahead of him, maybe like a Jake Gensel, I take I don’t know 
playoff performance. No Sam Reinhardt either.   For sure in your top 10. Yeah, Sam was Sam. Yeah, 
that’s Mike Rup. All right. Uh it’s always fun to do these lists, right? the top 20 just getting 
them going here in the offseason. Like we said,   it just means season’s getting close, but 
we’ve also run out of things to talk about. So, let’s throw something up there and let’s all 
debate it. So, for Mike Johnson, Mike Rup,   I’m Jameson Coyle. Thanks so much for watching 
our top 20 wings right now countdown show. Feel free to reach out, debate with us if 
you’ve got any discrepancies. Hey, Jameson.

Watch the crew on NHL Network break down the Top 20 Wings in the NHL right now.

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