NHL Stat Leaders: 2025-26 Results Recap and Projections for 2026-27
Written By Josie Dinonsie
The NHL's 2025-26 season was defined by superstar offensive performances, elite blue-line play, and outstanding goaltending. As the game continues to evolve, the league's talent level has reached new heights. While many of the top statistical leaders were familiar faces, this season also showcased a new generation of young stars beginning to bridge the gap between promising prospects and established veterans.
Final Stat Leaders
Once again, Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers finished the season as the NHL's leading scorer with an astonishing 138 points. His consistent dominance has solidified his reputation as the best hockey player in the world. Of those 138 points, 90 were assists, leading the league and further highlighting his elite playmaking ability. Year after year, McDavid continues to raise the standard, constantly pushing himself to an even higher level.
Close behind McDavid in the scoring race were Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov with 130 points and Colorado Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon with 127. Both players have consistently remained among the league's most dangerous offensive threats.
Although MacKinnon fell short of the Art Ross Trophy, he captured the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy after leading the NHL with 53 regular-season goals. His explosive skating, powerful shot, and offensive instincts continue to establish him as one of hockey's premier goal scorers.
In goal, several netminders delivered exceptional performances while facing some of the most talented shooters the NHL has ever seen. Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood led the league with a 2.02 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage. However, Tampa Bay's Andrei Vasilevskiy played 15 more games than Wedgewood, recorded a league-leading 39 wins, and earned his second Vezina Trophy as the NHL's top goaltender.
Looking Ahead to 2026-27
Predicting next season's statistical leaders is always a challenge. Injuries, roster changes, and the natural ups and downs of an NHL season can dramatically alter the race. While many of this year's leaders are well-positioned to defend their titles, emerging stars and breakout players could quickly establish themselves among the league's elite.
Projected Points Leader: Connor McDavid
McDavid's vision and playmaking ability remain unmatched. Although several players have come close to challenging his production, no one has consistently matched his dominance. Even as he enters the middle stage of his career, he continues to combine elite skating, world-class speed, exceptional hockey IQ, creativity, and size to separate himself from the rest of the league. For those reasons, he remains my favorite to lead the NHL in points during the 2026-27 season.
Projected Goals Leader: Cole Caufield
Cole Caufield has rapidly developed into one of the NHL's most dangerous goal scorers. The young Montreal Canadiens star helped lead his team to the Eastern Conference Final while becoming the franchise's first 50-goal scorer since the 1989-90 season. After finishing the year with 51 goals, second only to MacKinnon, Caufield enters next season with the momentum to challenge for the Rocket Richard Trophy. Coming off the best season of his career, he appears poised to take another step forward.
Projected Top Goaltender: Andrei Vasilevskiy
With several goaltenders emerging as legitimate contenders, including Scott Wedgewood, Karel Vejmelka, Jake Oettinger, and Logan Thompson, Andrei Vasilevskiy remains the safest pick to lead the position. Year after year, he proves to be one of the NHL's most reliable goaltenders. His durability, consistency, and ability to steal games give him an edge over the competition, making him the favorite to once again rank among the league's best.
These players are just a few of the frontrunners entering next season. Several others continue to rise through the ranks and develop into future superstars. There is every chance that a breakout player could exceed expectations and outperform some of the league's biggest names. The next generation is no longer waiting for its turn. With young stars like Macklin Celebrini, Connor Bedard, and Matthew Schaefer continuing to emerge, the race for the NHL's statistical crowns should be more competitive than ever during the 2026-27 season.
