Canadian NHL Standouts: Early-Season Stars Driving Success in 2025–26

From elite superstars to rising young talents, several players across Canada’s NHL teams are off to impressive starts in the 2025–26 season. Their early production, leadership, and impact at both ends of the ice have helped shape the league’s first weeks. This article highlights the top performers and breaks down why they’ve been so effective so far.

McDavid has gotten off to a torrid start, sitting at 9 goals and 21 assists for 30 points in the early 2025–26 stretch; he’s racking up primary assists and driving the Oilers’ offense while averaging heavy minutes and leading the league in playmaking rate. 

Nugent-Hopkins has been a reliable secondary scorer and playmaker, posted 5 goals and 11 assists (16 points) in 16 games before his recent short absence, and has created consistent zone time and faceoff value for the Oilers’ middle group. 

Draisaitl is finishing chances at an elite clip with 13 goals and 10 assists (23 points) so far; his strong goal total and an excellent +/- show he’s producing in all situations and complementing McDavid as a top-two offensive weapon. 

Hellebuyck’s early-season form has given Winnipeg a backbone in net: 8–6–0 record, 2.51 GAA and a .913 save percentage, showing he’s making timely saves and keeping the Jets competitive in tight games. 

Connor has delivered a dynamic start, posting roughly 10 goals and 12 assists (22 points) and providing consistent shot volume and finishing ability off the wing for the Jets. 

Scheifele has paced Winnipeg’s attack with 11 goals and 13 assists (24 points) — a near point-per-game clip that shows he’s still a primary scoring and playmaking option on the top lines. 

Boeser’s early numbers show he’s a go-to finisher: about 8 goals and 5 assists (13 points); when he’s healthy and shooting aggressively he creates high-danger looks that the Canucks rely on. 

As Vancouver’s offensive defenseman, Hughes has produced 1 goal and 12 assists (13 points) and logged heavy minutes — he’s the team’s primary puck-mover and power-play quarterback. 

Andersson has chipped in on the back end with 3 goals and 4 assists (7 points) while eating significant minutes; his two-way play and outlet passing have been important for Calgary’s transitional game. 

Frost has contributed secondary scoring and playmaking with about 3 goals and 7 assists (10 points) in his early games, showing versatility between center and wing and providing depth offense. 

Rielly, as the Leafs’ veteran puck-moving defenseman, has 3 goals and 12 assists (15 points) so far — strong production from the blue line and a reliable presence on the power play. 

Nylander has been one of Toronto’s top producers with 8 goals and 18 assists (26 points) — excellent assist totals indicate he’s heavily involved in playmaking and power-play opportunities. 

Knies has taken a step forward as a two-way forward, posting roughly 5 goals and 17 assists (22 points) early on; his size, puck-possession play and playmaking have made him a top-6 contributor. 

Hutson has provided a breakout offensive push from the back end with 1 goal and 13 assists (14 points) as a rookie defenseman, logging big minutes and anchoring the power play as a primary distributor. 

Suzuki has been the Canadiens’ dependable center, putting up about 4 goals and 17 assists (21 points) with a strong +/- — he’s driving playmaking and penalty-kill/faceoff value. 

Demidov’s rookie impact is noticeable: roughly 4 goals and 9 assists (13 points) through his first stretch of NHL games — a strong scoring and playmaking start for a 19-year-old adjusting quickly to NHL minutes. 

Caufield is doing what he does best — finishing chances — and sits near the NHL’s early goal leaders with ~13 goals and 6 assists (19 points), showing excellent shooting rates and on-net impact.