The wing position in hockey is an exciting one. While centers typically play a more responsible, well-rounded game, wings can get away with focusing more on the offensive side, jumping up early in the rush and generating chances.
This is why it comes as no surprise that some of the best goal scorers in the league come from the left or right wing position.
There are all kinds of wings in the NHL. We have seen dynamic power forwards like Mikko Rantanen and Matthew Tkachuk, who combine size and skill to dominate the game. There are pure scorers like Alex Ovechkin and David Pastrnak, who own incredible shots.
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With the NHL regular season nearly here, The Sporting News has combined both the left and right wingers and ranked the top 20 in the league heading into the 2022-23 season.
Top 20 wingers in the NHL for the 2022-23 season
1. Nikita Kucherov, Lightning
Kucherov has the skills, the stats and the hardware to prove why he's at the top of our list — two Stanley Cups, a Hart Trophy, a Ted Lindsay and an Art Ross. In Tampa Bay's Cup wins in 2020 and 2021, Kucherov led the team in scoring in both postseasons. Injuries kept Kucherov out of the entire 2020-21 regular season and nearly half of last year's campaign, but Kucherov has shown that when fully healthy, he's a dangerous offensive weapon on the ice.
2. Alex Ovechkin, Capitals
Auston Matthews is slowly coming for the title of best goal scorer, but as long as Ovechkin is still in the league, he deserves that honor. Both his wrist shot and slap shot make him extremely dangerous from all over the ice. The 37-year-old has shown no signs of slowing down, hitting 50 goals last season for the ninth time in his career. The Great 8 has a real chance at catching Wayne Gretzky's career goal record, as Ovechkin needs 114 more goals to break the mark.
3. Mitch Marner, Maple Leafs
Don't let the Toronto fans or media fool you, Marner is a sensational talent. The 25-year-old has produced at over a point-per-game rate for the last five seasons, including setting a new career high in goals (35) and points (97) last season. Sure, there have been some poor playoff performances, but Marner is one of the best all-around wings in the game.
4. Kirill Kaprizov, Wild
Kaprizov has fit in sensationally with the Wild since coming over two years ago from Russia. The winger won the 2021 Calder Trophy and followed that up with a 108-point season last year. The Russian has given Minnesota the superstar it has been lacking for the last few seasons. He has almost single-handedly made the team one of the most exciting clubs to watch with his speed and puck possession ability.
5. Jonathan Huberdeau, Flames
Huberdeau was already regarded as one of the best passers in the game, and then he added to that argument by dishing out a league-leading 85 assists last season. For a long time, the winger did not get the attention he deserved while stuck in Florida, but he seemingly broke out from the "underrated" category the last two seasons. Huberdeau was a part of the Matthew Tkachuk trade, so this will be his first season in Calgary.
6. Mikko Rantanen, Avalanche
On a team full of stars like Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, Rantanen flies under the radar at times, but he has been a large part of the team's success that led to their Stanley Cup win. In the 2021-22 regular season, he set new career marks in goals with 36 and points with 92, then added 25 points in 20 postseason games. The Finn is a big, power forward who is difficult to knock off the puck and he pairs that with a sensational shot.
7. Artemi Panarin, Rangers
Panarin was the Rangers' big free agent signing back in 2019 and has been as advertised in the Big Apple. The Russian put up 74 assists and 96 points last season, breaking his previous career-bests. He's a great weapon to have on the power play and played a key role in New York's run to the conference finals. He owns one of the highest contracts in the league and for the most part, has been worth every penny for the Rangers.
8. Patrick Kane, Blackhawks
While the Blackhawks have been plummeting, Kane continues to produce at a high level. He had 92 points last season, tying his career-best in assists with 66. The American is one of the best passers in the league and owns a pair of hands that produce some of the smoothest dekes. With Chicago at the very beginning of a rebuild and Kane on an expiring contract, it feels inevitable that Kane will be donning a different sweater by the end of the season.
9. Brad Marchand, Bruins
Marchand is part of an aging core in Boston, but he has shown no signs of stopping. The pesky winger had 80 points in 70 games last season for the Bruins, as he continues to be a thorn in opponents' side while producing on the score sheet. He's a strong, all-around player that can be utilized in all situations. Offseason hip surgery will keep Marchand out until at least November, but the Bruins hope that he doesn't skip a beat once he's healthy.
10. Johnny Gaudreau, Blue Jackets
Gaudreau's inconsistencies in Calgary stopped last season, as he broke out for 115 points, with 40 goals and 75 assists. Johnny Hockey, as he's called, has been a dominant player at times, but also goes quiet every so often. The Blue Jackets are hoping that the Gaudreau from last year is here to stay after they shocked the hockey world by signing the elusive winger in free agency last season.
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11. David Pastrnak, Bruins
Pastrnak is one of the best pure goal scorers in the game. He was the co-winner of the Rocket Richard in 2020 along with Alex Ovechkin. When healthy, he's good for 35 to 45 goals in a season, owning a pair of slick mitts and an excellent shot. He has found a sweet spot on the power play, playing on his opposite side for a one-time option. Pastrnak's coming off a 40-goal, 77-point season last year.
12. Jake Guentzel, Penguins
A lot of people remember Guentzel for his postseason success in 2017 and 2018, but he has been a consistent scoring wing for the team for a few seasons now. He hit 40 goals for the second time in his career last season, en route to posting a new career-high in points with 84. Guentzel has scored over a point per game for the last three consecutive seasons.
13. Matthew Tkachuk, Panthers
One of the few true power forwards left in the league, Tkachuk brings a mix of skill and sandpaper to the lineup night in and night out. He exploded for 104 points last, including 42 goals. He elected not to re-sign with the Flames and was traded to the Panthers, giving them a bright star that has proven his abilities in the league.
14. Jason Robertson, Stars
Robertson only has two full seasons in the NHL, but he's already shown at a young age that he can be a point-per-game producer in the league. He had 79 points in 75 games last season, totaling 125 points in 128 contests so far in his career. Robertson was one of the few unsigned RFAs heading into training camp, but he and the Stars agreed to a four-year, $31 million deal.
15. Chris Kreider, Rangers
Kreider has always been known predominantly as a goal scorer, but not many expected him to pot 50 goals in a year. He did just that last season, setting a new career-high with 52, which was third behind Auston Matthews and Leon Draisaitl. It was the first time he had ever recorded more than 30 goals in a year, so the likelihood that he repeats is slim, but the 31-year-old proved that he has the ability to be one of the best scorers and power play weapons in the league.
16. Kyle Connor, Jets
Connor has been the definition of consistency for the Jets since breaking into the league. In the last five seasons, he has scored over 30 goals every year minus the shortened 2020-21 season. He set a new career-high last season with 47 goals and 93 points. The Jets are looking to right the ship in Winnipeg, and Connor will be a big part of that process.
17. Alex DeBrincat, Senators
DeBrincat has sneakily been one of the NHL's most efficient goal scorers. He has at least 30 goals in three out of the last four years and twice has surpassed 40, including 41 last season. I'm still unsure as to why the Blackhawks decided to trade him, as the 24-year-old is the exact kind of player who they want to build around, but the Senators will be more than happy to insert him into their top-six forward group.
18. Filip Forsberg, Predators
Forsberg picked a great year to break out for 84 points in 69 games, as it resulted in an eight-year, $68 million contract extension with the Predators. He's become Nashville's go-to offensive weapon, although his 18.9 shooting percentage will be hard to replicate. He's an excellent two-way player as well, and the Predators are hoping that the 28-year-old can continue to be an over a point-per-game player.
19. Mark Stone, Golden Knights
One of the premiere two-way forwards in the game, Stone has been a treat to watch in Vegas. He has an uncanny ability to pick off passes and steal the puck away from opponents, resulting in him being a four-time Selke finalist. Injuries derailed his season last year, as the Vegas captain skated in just 37 contests, but the hope is Stone can get back to his elite form this season.
20. Gabriel Landeskog, Avalanche
The captain of the Avalanche does a little bit of everything. Landeskog can shoot, he can pass, he always plays the physical game and he is also sensational on faceoffs, despite not being a center. He recorded 59 points in 51 games for the Avs last year and added 22 in 20 playoff games. While stars like Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar get the shine on Colorado, not enough can be said about the intangibles that Landeskog brings to the table.