NHL Star Power Index: Top Players

Welcome to the NHL Star Power Index: A weekly look at the players generating the most discussion around the league. Being on this list means a player is capturing significant attention in the hockey world.

The players are listed in no particular order regarding the amount of buzz they are creating. We will update the Star Power Index each week throughout the regular season.

The Philadelphia Flyers recently changed coaches, ending John Tortorella`s three seasons with the team. Despite the team`s uncertain future, rookie forward Matvei Michkov has been a bright spot.

Michkov has been on a hot streak, scoring four goals and adding three assists in his last three games, including two games with two goals each.

In a 2-1 victory over the Nashville Predators on Monday, Michkov contributed two assists. This performance tied him with Peter Zezel for the sixth-most multi-point games (18) by a Flyers rookie. Michkov also equaled Eric Lindros (1992-93), Larry Goodenough (1975-76), and Bill Barber (1972-73) for the ninth-most assists (34) by a Flyers rookie.

Michkov, the No. 7 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, is playing his first season in North America after leaving his KHL contract in the offseason. He currently ranks second in points (58) among all NHL rookies, only behind Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson (62).

Michkov also scored two goals in a 7-4 win against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday, opening the scoring for the Flyers in a high-scoring game.

Just 5:27 into the game, Flyers defenseman Egor Zemula blocked a Sabres shot, leading to a Flyers rush. Travis Konecny picked up the puck and skated two-on-one with Michkov. Konecny passed to Michkov near the red line, and Michkov skated into the offensive zone, waited patiently, and fired a shot past Sabres goalie Ukko Pekka-Luukkonen.

In the second period, Konecny and Michkov teamed up again for another Philadelphia goal. At 10:36, Flyers captain Sean Couturier got the puck free and passed it to Konecny. Konecny quickly sent the puck to Michkov, who was speeding ahead. Michkov then scored with a backhand shot over Pekka-Luukkonen`s shoulder.

Michkov is currently on a six-game point streak, with four goals and six assists.

The Flyers rookie is making a strong push for the Calder Trophy, awarded to the NHL`s best rookie. While Lane Hutson is currently the favorite, Michkov is close behind in offensive production. Regardless of whether he wins the award, Michkov is proving to be a key part of the Flyers` future.

The NHL points race is getting tight as the regular season nears its end. Tampa Bay Lightning star Nikita Kucherov is a major contender, consistently scoring points.

Kucherov recently had an eight-game point streak, scoring five goals and 14 assists.

In 71 games this season, Kucherov has accumulated 111 points (33 goals, 78 assists), just three points behind Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon for the league lead (114). Kucherov, who won the Art Ross Trophy last season as the points leader, has scored a goal in four of his last six games and had four consecutive multi-assist games before Thursday`s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Just 2:02 into Saturday`s 5-3 win against the New York Islanders, Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman found Kucherov in the neutral zone, and Kucherov attacked the net. Receiving the puck, Kucherov accelerated into the offensive zone and fired a shot that hit the post and went in.

Kucherov then became a playmaker with the Lightning leading 3-0 late in the second period. With 17 seconds left in the period, Kucherov received a pass from Brandon Hagel in the face-off circle. Instead of shooting, Kucherov passed to Brayden Point for an easy goal.

As the season approaches its end, Kucherov is on pace for 128 points, which would be his second-highest career total in 11 years. He has already secured his fourth straight 100-point season after recording 144 points in 2023-24.

Kucherov`s playmaking ability has been evident recently, and he is expected to be a strong contender for the points lead with MacKinnon as the regular season concludes.

The New York Rangers are in a playoff battle as the regular season winds down. Despite some ups and downs, Adam Fox has been a consistent performer on their defense.

Fox is second on the Rangers in points (56) and assists (47), and leads the team in power-play assists (16). The veteran defenseman has scored three goals and one assist in his last three games, including a two-goal game in a 6-1 win against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday.

At 4:48 of the second period against San Jose, Fox benefited from excellent puck movement. Mika Zibanejad passed to Brennan Othmann, who then got the puck to Fox. Fox received the puck perfectly and scored high on Sharks goalie Alexandar Georgiev.

With the Rangers leading 4-0, Fox scored again. At 5:47 of the third period, K`Andre Miller shot wide, and J.T. Miller tried to sweep the puck in. The puck bounced off Georgiev near the goal line. Fox tapped the puck into the open net for an easy goal.

Fox has become more offensively involved recently, taking nine shots in his last three games.

As the Rangers aim for a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, Fox will likely need to play a significant offensive role.

Jordan Binnington impressed at the 4 Nations Face-Off earlier this season. Since then, he has maintained his strong play for the St. Louis Blues, who are fighting for a Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.

Since the 4 Nations Face-Off, Binnington has a 10-2-0 record with a 2.00 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage.

The Blues goalie has allowed only three goals in his last three games, all of which were Blues wins. In his most recent start, Binnington made 20 saves on 21 shots in a 2-1 overtime win against the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday.

Binnington has allowed two or fewer goals in nine of his 13 games since the 4 Nations Face-Off and has won six consecutive starts.

The Blues have an 11-game winning streak dating back to March 15. Binnington`s elite play has come at a perfect time for St. Louis as they battle for a playoff spot late in the season.