Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid skates into the Winnipeg Jets zone during the second period of the game between the Winnipeg Jets and the Edmonton Oilers (Credit: Getty Images) The 2025 NHL year brought about a significant fan following of a set of core players with superstar status who created the story of the league. Individual brilliance with team success had individual players such as Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers, Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche, and Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs continually trending.In addition to scoring highlights, search traffic was also curious about awards, leadership positions, and long-term value. Offensive productivity and the importance of the contract attracted the attention of Leon Draisaitl and Mitch Marner, and one of the focal points was on the elite playmaking of Nikita Kucherov. Notable milestones and rare accomplishments had the league-wide attention of goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and veteran icon Sidney Crosby, who topped the list.
Final NHL Power Rankings of 2025
Why these NHL players dominate searches and headlines in 2025
The Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavid has again taken the lead in search ranking as he is an all-around player and gamer in control. His management and the regular output made Edmonton the center of NHL match previews and postseason discussion.Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche was right behind, and the fans were following his milestone performances and games that were good enough to earn him the MVP award. This is because of his physical style and speed, which made him one of the most influential players in the league.Leon Draisaitl, an Edmonton Oilers player, also created a massive buzz after being the top goal scorer in the NHL. His distasteful chemistry and finishing touch contributed to his rising popularity in the league-wide.As he had stayed at the highest level of production, Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning was one of the top searches. His eye-hand coordination and scoring prowess made his name remain on the NHL newsreels.Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs continued to be highly searched due to the consistency he exhibits in scoring goals and being a franchise player. Today, his performances have a close following in all games in the NHL in which Toronto participates.Mitch Marner of the Vegas Golden Knights gained popularity due to his high-profile relocation and creativity on the ice. In contrast, Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets won popularity because of his award-winning season in the net. Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins topped the list as fans followed his streak of consistency, setting records to ensure his legacy and worth in the NHL.Also Read: Net worth of Auston Matthews in 2025: Details on Vegas Golden Knights captain’s earnings, salary, and contracts