By the Number: NHL Edition (10-19)
Moving on to the teen numbers. The single digit numbers were mainly defensemen, so we’re gonna see a lot of wings and centers on the list for this particular article. Again, I want to mention, don’t get too upset if I’m missing a better choice because I’m a new hockey fan. At the bottom of the article, I will post previews article(s) in the series. I’ll not waste any more time though. Let’s dive in to the best players in the NHL wearing numbers 10-19.
AP
Number 10: LW, Artemi Panarin, New York Rangers
Last season, there was really no debate for who was the best number 10 in the league. This season however, Jonathan Huberdeau moved to Calgary and chose number 10. Huberdeau hasn’t settled in Calgary yet and is nowhere close to the 115-point output that he had with the Panthers last season, so it is still Panarin and it likely will be for a few more years at least.
Heather Barry
Number 11: RW, Travis Konecny, Philadelphia Flyers
When looking at the list, I debated on pulling the trigger on Trevor Zegras, but I think it is a little too early. Konecny is the better player at the moment, but Zegras is quickly becoming a household name in the NHL. Anze Kopitar was another option, but Konecny is having the better season of the bunch and with a mix of upside and performance, Konecny I feel was the right choice.
USA Today Sports
Number 12: LW/RW, Alex DeBrincat, Ottawa Senators
This was a pretty obvious choice. There were a lot of solid players on the list, but DeBrincat stands above the rest. Matt Boldy for the Wild was the next best choice. After having a career year in Chicago last season, DeBrincat seems to be picking up where he left off this year in Ottawa.
Jess Starr
Number 13: C, Nico Hischier, New Jersey Devils
This decision was really down to Johnny Gaudreau or Hischier and I went with the latter. Gaudreau had a career year in Calgary last season, and he has been good in Columbus, but his team hasn’t. The former number one pick, Hischier has been at the forefront of the Devils success this season.
Getty
Number 14: C, Nick Suzuki, Montreal Canadiens
Like the player above, Suzuki is a young captain of a team with a lot of promise. Granted, Montreal is having a down year, but Suzuki is the guy leading it. This was a tough one. Shayne Gostisbehere is still a solid option and you have guys like Joel Eriksson Ek, Jamie Benn and Adam Henrique in the mix as well. I’ll give Suzuki the edge due to his age and captain status.
nhl.com
Number 15: C/LW, Anton Lundell, Florida Panthers
This was such a difficult choice. Nobody really stands out. Anton Lundell appears to be the choice. Alexander Kerfoot is probably the popular choice, but he’s not having a particularly good season. Sonny Milano is another choice, but not a strong enough candidate. Jakub Vrana would be an option, but he’s had more than his share of injury issues, so Lundell seems to be the one that stands above the rest.
Getty
Number 16: RW, Mitch Marner, Toronto Maple Leafs
Marner stands above the rest, but there are a lot of good players that wear the 16. Aleksander Barkov was my next choice. Also, you have Vincent Trocheck, Joe Pavelski, Jason Zucker, and Nikita Zadorov. A lot of good choices, but Mitch Marner is a very good player on a very good team.
Getty
Number 17: D, Filip Hronek, Detroit Red Wings
There were a couple decent options, but I’m going with the Hronek. It was between him and Dylan Strome with the Capitals. There are 24 players that have worn the number 17 this season, but there really weren’t many great options. You could throw Alex Killorn and Bryan Rust into the discussion, but wouldn't rate them higher than Hronek or Strome.
Getty
Number 18: RW/LW, Zach Hyman, Edmonton Oilers
Hyman has been solid for quite a few years now. 18 seems to be a solid hockey number as well. Tim Stüzle, Robert Thomas, Pavel Zacha and Andrew Copp all wear the number. He definitely benefits by playing next to Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, but who wouldn't. He does complement them, and it is pretty obvious that he belongs as the best number 18 in the league.
Getty
Number 19: LW/RW, Matthew Tkachuk, Florida Panthers
19 is a good hockey number, but the new Florida Panther stands above the rest. 5 years ago, it would’ve been Jonathan Toews, but it was between Tkachuk, Troy Terry, Drake Batherson and Jared McCann. The former Calgary Flame seems to be carrying the momentum of last season into this one as well. He’ll be close to having a career year.
Yacs
Previous “By the Numbers: NHL Edition” Articles