Crosby, Ovechkin, McDavid: Top 25 hockey players of the 21st century revealed

At the start of 2025, Sportsnet unveiled its ranking of the 25 best hockey players of the 21st century.

Details: Leading the list is Canadian forward Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Team Canada. In second place is his long-time rival of the past 15 years, Alexander Ovechkin, captain of the Washington Capitals. The top three is rounded out by another Canadian superstar, Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers.

Top 25 hockey players of the 21st century:

1. Sidney Crosby
2. Alexander Ovechkin
3. Connor McDavid
4. Nicklas Lidström
5. Martin Brodeur
6. Nathan MacKinnon
7. Pavel Datsyuk
8. Nikita Kucherov
9. Patrick Kane
10. Victor Hedman
11. Jarome Iginla
12. Chris Pronger
13. Patrice Bergeron
14. Scott Niedermayer
15. Auston Matthews
16. Duncan Keith
17. Leon Draisaitl
18. Drew Doughty
19. Evgeni Malkin
20. Jonathan Toews
21. Joe Sakic
22. Joe Thornton
23. Zdeno Chára
24. Anze Kopitar
25. Carey Price

Reminder: The Dailysports team has compiled all the key information about this year’s tournament, including schedules, results, and team standings for the 2025 World Junior Hockey Championship.