Every year, NHL Network compiles lists of players that their staff and other personnel help create, and every year fans complain about how atrocious the lists are. With all of that being said, they have now released their controversial next set of top players (40-31) in the NHL right now.

40. Matthew Tkachuk, LW, Calgary Flames

Tkachuk was the leading point scorer for the Flames with 61 points (23 goals, 38 assists) in 68 games, and he was second in hits with 122 and third in takeaways with 40. The 23-year-old has tremendous goal scoring ability, while also being capable of playing a very physical game.

39. Steven Stamkos, C, Tampa Bay Lightning

The Tampa Bay Lightning captain has the second most goals (422) in the NHL since he entered the league in 2008. He may be on a bit of a decline because of his injuries, but he is still one of the elite scorers in the league.

38. Elias Pettersson, C, Vancouver Canucks

Pettersson is an up and coming star in the league, and has tallied 66 points in both of his first two seasons. He won the Calder trophy in his first season as the league's top rookie, and it wouldn't be surprising if we see him get another personal trophy in the near future.

37. Dougie Hamilton, D, Carolina Hurricanes

Hamilton finished 4th in points among defensemen last season with 40. Over the past 3 seasons, he has scored 49 goals, which is actually first among all NHL defenseman. He is elite at both ends of the ice, and he likely would have had a shot at the Norris trophy last season had he not been injured.

36. Connor Hellebuyck, G, Winnipeg Jets

Hellebuyck went 31-21-5 with a 2.57 goals against average, a .922 save percentage and an NHL-leading six shutouts to win the Vezina Trophy last season. It is pretty surprising to see him this low in the rankings since he was voted the top goaltender in the league, but NHL Network has an odd system for ranking players.

35. Kyle Connor, LW, Winnipeg Jets

Connor tallied 73 points in 71 games last season, and helped lead the Winnipeg Jets to the Stanley Cup Qualifiers. Connor is already a star in the NHL and he will likely only get better.

34. Cale Makar, D, Colorado Avalanche

Makar won the Calder last season, and he set the Avalanche record for most points scored by a rookie defenseman in one season. Makar looks to be the next top defenseman in the league and don't be surprised if he climbs the rankings mightily next season.

33. Blake Wheeler, RW, Winnipeg Jets

Wheeler scored 65 points (22 goals, 43 assists) in 71 games last season. He is the definition of consistent as this marked the fifth straight season that he's scored at least 61 points and seventh straight with at least 20 goals.

32. Seth Jones, D, Columbus Blue Jackets

Jones led the Blue Jackets in average ice time per game (25:17) for the fifth consecutive season. He is an elite defender that could become even better as he develops more.

31. Ryan O'Reilly, C, St. Louis Blues

O'Reilly is arguably the best two-way forward in the game, as his impacts are in both the offensive and defensive zone. He led the Blues in points last season with 61, and he definitely could have been even higher than 31 on the list.

PREVIOUSLY ON
MARKERZONE