Connor McDavid leads NHL 26 player ratings while Sidney Crosby slips to eighth

The build-up to NHL 26 is gathering steam, with the game’s launch set for September 12, mere weeks before the 2025-26 NHL season begins. Inevitably, player ratings have garnered the most attention, sparking numerous fan discussions.

Connor McDavid is at the top again and has been rewarded with a near-perfect score. The rankings also delivered a shock because of the eighth-place finish of Sidney Crosby, who has long been a top-five staple.

Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Leon Draisaitl dominate NHL 26 ranking

Connor McDavid is the least of the surprises being at the top. There is no doubt that he is the best player in the game, not just because of his +20 rating, but because he has the ability and the numbers to back it up. To put it into perspective, last season scored 26 goals and made 74 assists despite missing 15 games.

Not to mention, this was his eighth career access to the 100-point mark.

Trailing right behind him is Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche, who notched 32 goals and 84 assists. Taking a chunk of the Avalanche's salary cap, he inked an eight-year deal worth $100,800,000—with all that cash, he's still one of the best all-around players in the league. Draisaitl—MacKinnon’s teammate on the Oilers—earned third place as he led his team with 52 goals and 54 assists, giving Edmonton two stars in the top three.

Finishing the top five are Nikita Kucherov and Quinn Hughes, which further highlights how much the league is dominated by the younger generation.

Sidney Crosby dropped to eighth in NHL 26 despite solid numbers

The most unexpected news in the recent rankings is Sidney Crosby's drop to number eight with a 94 rating. The Pittsburgh Penguins captain posted 33 goals and 58 assists for 91 points in the 2024-25 season. From an offensive perspective, Crosby was still outstanding. His -20 rating, though, painted a bleak picture that matched the struggles of the Penguins, who were outpaced by tougher challengers.

Despite Crosby’s recent decline, the NHL 26 top 20 still features NHL stalwarts as well as promising prospects. The entry of inductees, Florida persons Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Reinhart, after winning back-to-back Stanley Cups. Jack Hughes and Auston Matthews continue to carry the torch as the league’s next wave of stars.Also Read: Johnny Gaudreau’s sweet start: The Skittles story behind his skating journeyNo doubt, Connor McDavid topped the NHL 26 ratings because of his sheer dominance. On the other hand, the recent drop of Sidney Crosby depicts the ongoing changes in the league. The debate would surely go on; however, it is clear that the NHL 26 lineup is a true reflection of the shifting power in the league.