There were more than 50 hockey experts from ESPN taking part in creating this list. The rankings are based solely on the expectations for the upcoming season and predicting potential breakthrough players.
Out of the top 100 players in the NHL, six of them are Finnish. When talking with Finnish betting experts from Vedonlyontisivustoni.com, they believe there should be at least a couple of other Finnish players too. For example, the list lacks Finnish players like Teuvo Teräväinen and Mikael Granlund, who definitely should belong to positions between 100-50. Either way, here are the top 5 Finnish NHL players for the season 2022-23.
5. Juuse Saros, G, Nashville Predators
Juuse Saros is ranked the 3rd best goaltender in the NHL behind Igor Shesterkin and Andrei Vasilevskiy. Of all the NHL players, Saros is the 29th best. He already was a crucial piece of the Predator’s lineup, but last season something was different. His value was nearly immeasurable for Predators. That also lead him to be a finalist for the Vezina Trophy. Last season he started in 67 games for the Predators and had a save percentage of .918.
4. Miro Heiskanen, D, Dallas Stars
Miro Heiskanen, the elite two-way defenceman, is ranked as the 28th-best NHL player. The Dallas Star’s alternative captain might not score a ton of points. Instead, he is known as an excellent puck mover who has no issues running a play himself and starting a transition up-ice. He is the man who is consistent in every situation throughout an entire game. Even though he is very consistent throughout the season, he truly shines when it comes to playoffs.
3. Mikko Rantanen, RW, Colorado Avalanche
ESPN thinks Mikko Rantanen is the 24th-best NHL player this season. He might not get the recognition he deserves because he plays with MacKinnon and Makar, who draws attention to themselves. Rantanen is one of the best right-wingers in the league and is just entering his prime age. He is an exceptionally talented playmaker and always a consistent threat on the ice. After getting 92 total points last season, Rantanen is now aiming for his first 100-point campaign.
2. Sebastian Aho, C, Carolina Hurricanes
Sebastian Aho is the 22nd-best player in the NHL, according to ESPN. The alternative captain of the Hurricanes is looking to get his sixth 20-goal season in a row. Even though he has been outstanding in the previous seasons, he doesn’t seem to slow down. This season he has scored four and assisted five in just six games. If he can keep up the form, he will have 123 projected total points when the season ends. Besides all this, many think Aho is one of the NHL’s most complete centers.
1. Aleksander Barkov, C, Florida Panthers
Aleksander, also known as Sasha Barkov, is finally getting the recognition he deserves. He is usually known as one of the most underrated players in the league, but now ESPN ranked him as the 9th best player in NHL. The 27-year-old Florida’s captain tallied 39 goals and 88 points in 67 games last season. That is an impressive amount of points from one of the best defensive forwards in the NHL. Overall, Barkov is a well-rounded center that is good at creating offense, blocking shots, lifting sticks, and fighting to get the pucks back.
