It’s common for Colorado Avalanche fans to call Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon some of the best hockey players on the planet.
And that’s not just a local thought, as Makar and MacKinnon have been on top of the NHL world for some time.
Both are Stanley Cup champions, MacKinnon has a Hart Trophy to his name and Makar has two Norris Trophies, among a slew of other accomplishments for each.
That’s why it was no surprise on Tuesday when ESPN dropped its top-100 players of the 2025-26 NHL season that Makar and MacKinnon both cracked the top-3.
Makar is No. 2 on this year’s list, up two spots from a season ago. And MacKinnon held firm at No. 3, the same ranking he previously had.
ESPN polled “broadcasters, analysts, reporters and editors to rate players based on how good they will be this season compared with their peers.”
Only Edmonton’s Connor McDavid beat out Makar and MacKinnon, checking in at No. 1.
Of course, ESPN wrote glowingly about both of the Avalanche’s superstars.
“Many types of players are needed to win in the NHL. Among them, a puck-moving defenseman who can also be trusted to play heavy minutes in every scenario,” ESPN’s Ryan S. Clark said of Makar.
As for MacKinnon, you always have a chance when he’s on the ice.
“The Avalanche? Team Canada? It doesn’t matter. Any team that has MacKinnon is going to pose a serious threat to win on a nightly basis,” Clark wrote.
Colorado had two other players on the list, with winger Martin Necas coming in at No. 63 and defenseman Devon Toews at No. 73. Goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood received an honorable mention.
Notably, Valeri Nichushkin, Gabriel Landeskog, Artturi Lehkonen and Brock Nelson didn’t crack the top-100 or receive an honorable mention.
Individual accolades are great, but Makar and MacKinnon are hungry for another Stanley Cup. The Avalanche have the horses to do it, but need to breakthrough again when the playoffs roll around next spring and summer.
To see the full ESPN rankings, click here.
