Hughes brothers, Sens' DeBrincat crack TSN's top 50 players

TSN’s panel of hockey experts has put together its annual list of the Top 50 NHL players ahead of the full reveal on our Top 50 special on Thursday, Oct. 6 (11:30am et/8:30am pt on TSN4, 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt on TSN4/5).

Today we go over the players ranked No. 41-50.

Coming in at No. 50 is Pittsburgh Penguins defenceman Kris Letang. The 35-year-old was coming into a contract season in 2021-22 where his future was uncertain with the Penguins organization. Letang responded by scoring 10 goals and setting career highs in assists (58) and points (68) leading him to signing a six-year, $36.6 million contract prior to the start of the free agency period.

No. 49 is New Jersey Devils centre Jack Hughes. Despite missing 33 games with a dislocated shoulder and MCL injury, the 2019 No. 1 overall selection had a career season with 26 goals and 56 points in 49 games.

New York Rangers winger Chris Kreider is No. 48 after finishing third in the NHL with 52 goals and registering 77 points in 81 games last season, which shattered his previous career highs. The 31-year-old winger was in the mix in the race for the Maurice (Rocket) Richard Trophy and helped lead the Rangers to their second playoff appearance since 2017.

Ottawa Senators’ winger Alex DeBrincat holds the No. 47 spot going into a contract season. The 24-year-old sniper was traded to the Senators on July 7 by the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for the No. 7 and No. 39 picks in the 2022 NHL Draft and a third-round pick in 2024. The 5-foot-7 winger matched his career high 41 goals and set career highs with 37 assists and 78 points in 82 games last season.

No. 46 is Vancouver Canucks defenceman Quinn Hughes (No. 38 last season). Hughes, who turns 23 on Oct. 14, is continuing his