Charlie McAvoy delivered the best offensive season of his NHL career in 2025-26. His reward was a lower spot in NHL Network’s annual player rankings.
McAvoy landed at No. 41 on the “Top 50 Players Right Now” list, dropping three positions from his No. 38 ranking a year ago. The Boston Bruins defenseman fell despite establishing career highs with 50 assists and 61 points.
That creates a curious contradiction. McAvoy produced more offense than ever, continued handling an enormous workload and helped Boston return to the Stanley Cup playoffs. NHL Network nevertheless determined his place among the league’s best players had slipped. McAvoy was one of two Bruins revealed during the first portion of the countdown. Goaltender Jeremy Swayman appeared directly behind him at No. 42, giving Boston consecutive players on the list.
Swayman’s inclusion represented a return to the rankings after he was left out last season. McAvoy’s placement was more difficult to explain.
Charlie McAvoy’s Career Year Was Not Enough
McAvoy averaged 24:23 of ice time last season and led the Bruins in that category for the seventh time in eight years. He contributed in every situation, including both special teams units, and recorded a career-high 23 power-play points.
His offensive production did not come at the expense of the traits that have defined his career. McAvoy remained physical, defended against top competition and continued serving as one of the Bruins’ most important leaders.
NHL Network is getting ready for the 2026-27 season by ranking the top 50 players in the League right now. 👀 #NHLTopPlayers
Read more on players 50-41 ⤵️ https://t.co/jDpVwCp0nj
— NHL Media (@NHLMedia) August 31, 2026
NHL Network analyst Mike Rupp praised McAvoy’s versatility during the rankings show.
“He’s so unique because he does everything well,” Rupp said.
Rupp identified McAvoy’s tendency to occasionally attempt too much as one area that can cause problems. That habit, however, also reflects how many responsibilities Boston places on its top defenseman.
McAvoy is asked to generate offense, play physically, kill penalties, run the power play and handle difficult defensive assignments. Very few NHL defensemen carry a comparable workload.
His drop might say more about the competition across the league than his own performance, but falling after a career season still feels unusual.
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Jeremy Swayman Makes Impressive Return
Swayman’s return at No. 42 came after a major bounce-back season.
The Bruins goaltender set a career high with 31 wins while recording a .908 save percentage and 2.71 goals-against average. He also finished third in Vezina Trophy voting and ranked second in the NHL with 28.8 goals saved above expected, according to MoneyPuck.
Swayman improved by 37.9 goals saved above expected from the previous season, when he finished at minus-9.1. That dramatic turnaround helped push Boston back into the postseason.
The Bruins now have their top defenseman and starting goaltender sitting side by side among NHL Network’s top 50 players.
Swayman’s return feels like deserved recognition. McAvoy’s fall feels more like a fresh source of motivation for a player who somehow moved backward in the rankings after producing his best offensive season.
