On Wednesday, the NHL Network released its offseason “Top 20 Wingers” in the NHL list. Many great players are listed and many teams represented, but to the surprise of a few, the Tampa Bay Lightning find themselves with three players occupying the list.
Brandon Hagel, Jake Guentzel, and Nikita Kucherov crowd the star-studded cast of the NHL Networks list, and while some may dispute their placements, none can argue that they don’t deserve spots on this list.
Brandon Hagel finds lands at the 13 spot, sandwiched between Brady Tkachuk and Jesper Bratt. Hagel’s season last year was undeniable, putting up career highs in goals and assists. Hagel’s production may not have been shocking to Lightning fans who have the privilege of watching him night after night, but to others around the league, less familiar with Hagel’s dogged game, seeing the former 6th round pick not only recreate but improve upon his production from last year was eye-opening.
Hagel’s 90 point campaign had him second on the Lightning in points and assists with 55. Unfortunately, Hagel’s impressive 35 goals were only good enough for fourth on a roster oozing with offensive talent, trailing behind Brayden Point and the other two Lightning wingers on this list.
Jake Guentzel comes up next at 11 after finishing up his first season with the Lightning. A model of consistency, Guentzel has been just about a point per game in his last EIGHT seasons, and this year was no different. With 80 points in 80 games, including his third-ever 40-goal campaign, Jake Guentzel continues to set a standard for scoring wingers around the league.
Adding star players to an already star-studded lineup can sometimes have its teething problems, but Guentzel’s arrival in Tampa Bay was so smooth it feels as though he has played here for years. Chemistry came quickly and easily, and you can expect that to continue, along with Guentzel’s name amongst the top 20 wingers next year.
Finally, the one and only, standing atop the rest, Nikita Kucherov lands number one on the NHL Network’s top 20 wingers in the NHL, and really, who is surprised? Kucherov led the NHL in points for the 2nd year in a row, and third time in his career, winning the Art Ross as well as the Ted Lindsey award for Most Outstanding Player as voted on by the players. No winger in the league has maintained the level of sheer offensive dominance that Nikita Kucherov has managed to display for almost his entire career.
After recording 37 goals and 84 assists for 121 points, Kucherov now leads all active NHL wingers for 100+ point seasons with 5, just eclipsing fellow countryman (and holder of 17th place) Alexander Ovechkin. There may be arguing over the placement of some players on this list, or the spearheading of names that were omitted, but there is very little to debate when it comes to who should take the crown of the NHL’s current number 1 winger.
