NHL Network is getting ready for the upcoming season by ranking the top 50 players in the League right now. Researchers, producers and on-air personalities compiled their list which includes five members of the Florida Panthers.
6. Aleksander Barkov
The Panthers captain became a two-time Stanley Cup champion when he helped Florida repeat in 2025 and has 44 points (14 goals, 30 assists) in 47 playoff games the past two seasons. Barkov is the second player in NHL history to win the Stanley Cup and Selke Trophy voted as best defensive forward during the same season multiple times, following Bob Gainey with the Canadiens in 1977-78 and 1978-79. The 30-year-old center had 71 points (20 goals, 51 assists) in the regular season and has 10 straight 20-goal seasons and four straight with at least 70 points. He was named to Team Finland’s preliminary Olympic roster.
20. Matthew Tkachuk
Tkachuk has made a massive impact since being traded to the Panthers on July 22, 2022, helping them reach the Cup Final three straight seasons and win back-to-back championships. He missed the final two months of the 2024-25 regular season because of an injury sustained during the 4 Nations Face-Off in February but still finished third on the Panthers with 57 points (22 goals, 35 assists) in 52 games. The 27-year-old left wing has emerged as one of the League’s top postseason performers, either leading the Panthers in scoring or tying for the lead the past three seasons, including 23 points (eight goals, 15 assists) in 23 games last season, and he’s one of 11 players in NHL history with three straight 20-point playoff seasons. Tkachuk was one of the first six players named to the United States’ preliminary roster for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.
23. Sam Reinhart
Reinhart helped the Panthers win the Stanley Cup for the second straight season, leading them in goals (39) and points (81) in 79 regular-season games and tying for the Florida lead during the Stanley Cup Playoffs with 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists) in 21 games. The 29-year-old also was runner-up to teammate Aleksander Barkov in voting for the Selke Trophy as the top defensive forward in the League. Reinhart has scored at least 31 goals in all four of his seasons with the Panthers after never scoring more than 25 in his first seven NHL seasons with the Buffalo Sabres. His 160 goals since the start of 2021-22 are eighth in the NHL.
36. Sergei Bobrovsky
In helping the Panthers win back-to-back Stanley Cup titles, Bobrovsky has gone 32-15 with a 2.26 goals-against average, .910 save percentage and five shutouts in 47 playoff games over the past two seasons. The 36-year-old veteran goalie has won at least 30 games eight times in his 15 NHL seasons, including 33 last season (33-19-2, 2.44 GAA, .906 save percentage, five shutouts). Bobrovsky’s 429 career wins are the most among active goalies and 10th all-time.
39. Gustav Forsling
Since joining the Panthers four seasons ago, Forsling has been one of the best defensive defensemen while also blossoming on offense. He had 31 points (11 goals, 20 assists) in 80 games last season and was plus-33 while averaging 22:57 of ice time per game and has had at least 30 points in four straight seasons. His plus-149 is tied with Devon Toews of the Colorado Avalanche over that span for best in the NHL. The 29-year-old has won the Stanley Cup each of the past two seasons with Florida.