Athletic has highlighted the standout performers from the National Hockey League for the 2023/2024 season, featuring a notable representation of Russian players—ten in total.
Across the entire roster, 125 skaters and goaltenders earned a place on the list. The editors organized them into four tiers: MVP, Face of the Franchise, All Star Team Level, and Best Team Level. Each tier showcases different roles and impact on the ice, from the game-changers to the core leaders of their franchises.
In the MVP tier, Russians were not included. The group spotlighted elite talents such as Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers, Leon Draisaitl, also with Edmonton, Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche, Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Cale Makar of the Avalanche, Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils, David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins, Matthew Tkachuk of the Florida Panthers, and Adam Fox of the New York Rangers. These players are recognized for redefining speed, skill, and clutch performances in the league.
In the Face of the Franchise category, Kirill Kaprizov of the Minnesota Wild and Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning earned inclusion, underscoring their roles as the faces of their teams and as marketable leaders who drive both performance and fan engagement.
The All Star Team Level tier features a broad cohort of 32 players. Among them are four Russians: Artemi Panarin of the New York Rangers, Andrei Svechnikov of the Carolina Hurricanes, Pavel Buchnevich of the St. Louis Blues, and Mikhail Sergachev of the Tampa Bay Lightning. This group represents players who consistently deliver top-tier play and elevated presence on both ends of the rink.
The Best Team Level group includes 64 players, among whom four Russians are noted: Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Valery Nichushkin of the Colorado Avalanche, Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals, and Dmitry Orlov of the Carolina Hurricanes. These names reflect veteran impact, leadership, and durability across seasons, contributing to the team’s core strategies and long-term plans.
Looking ahead to the new NHL season, action is set to begin on the night of October 11, Moscow time. On opening night, the Vegas Golden Knights are scheduled to meet the Seattle Kraken, the Nashville Predators will clash with Tampa Bay, and the Chicago Blackhawks are slated to face Pittsburgh. The opening games promise high-octane moments and a taste of late-season form from teams eyeing deep playoff runs.
Across the schedule, the upcoming campaign is projected to encompass a total of 1,312 games, with the regular season concluding on April 19, Moscow time. Notably, Vegas emerged victorious in the prior season, hoisting the Stanley Cup, a performance that sets a benchmark for the clubs chasing the title this year.
Among the top 20 active NHL players, three Russians are listed prominently, reflecting a blend of elite offensive talent and veteran presence that continues to influence the league’s competitive landscape.
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