NHL’s 10 Best Left Wingers for 2026-27: Preseason Update

The 2026-27 season is under way, and with that comes the rankings and comparisons. The league has as much talent as it ever has, and there are plenty of left wingers who are game-changing players.

As you can imagine, compiling this certainly wasn’t easy, but it is a fun thing to discuss regardless. With that said, here are the current top 10 left wingers in the NHL.

10. Brady Tkachuk

Goals, points, hits, shots, penalties, and almost everything you could ask out of a power forward is exactly what Brady Tkachuk brings every night. Last season with the Ottawa Senators, Tkachuk dealt with injuries, didn’t look like himself, and when the playoffs came around, went without a point.

Other THW Positional Rankings:

• Goalies
• Defensemen
• Centers
• Right Wingers
• Coaches

Tkachuk is an emotional player and loves it when games are physical. He thrives in heavy battles, and does a great job of clearing the front of the net. Now, with the Florida Panthers, Tkachuk is going to get less ice time, and won’t have to be the primary driving force of the team. That freedom could bring some more out of his game.

9. Adrian Kempe

Adrian Kempe has been establishing himself as one of the most consistent wingers in the game. He is a sure bet for 35 goals and 70 points every season, and on a LA Kings team with questionable centre depth, Kempe brings the offense from the wings.

8. Artemi Panarin

After being benched for two weeks, Artemi Panarin was finally traded to the Los Angeles Kings, and he could get a breath of fresh (and much warmer) air in L.A. Just three seasons ago, Panarin hit the 120-point mark and fell just one shy of 50 goals. If he can build some good chemistry, there is certainly a chance that he can get back to that mark.

Even though 2025-26 was looked at as a down year for him, Panarin finished the season at over a point per game. Now, with time to settle in, Panarin is going to look to dominate the scoresheet once again.

7. Jake Guentzel

Jake Guentzel has been one of the better goal-scorers over the past few seasons and is a good bet for 40 goals if healthy throughout the year. He is a play-driving winger, plays good defensive hockey, and seems to mesh very well with anybody he is lined up with.

After falling just shy of 90 points, Guentzel set a new career high with 88 points last season. He has been an excellent fit in the Tampa group, and will be a big piece for them if they get back into the true contenders conversation.

6. Jesper Bratt

As an undersized, skilled winger, Jesper Bratt has broken out into a highly productive role for the New Jersey Devils. With five straight seasons with 70+ points and a career-high of 88 in 2024-25, Bratt’s ability to adapt to different linemates and paces has been on display, and he has been able to give the Devils a great deal of offense.

The Devils have fallen victim to the injury bug over the past few years, keeping them outside of the playoffs most seasons, but Bratt has been healthy, consistent, and a driving factor for the team.

5. Matthew Boldy

Matthew Boldy entered the league with a strong rookie season and has built upon his totals every season. Boldy posted 42 goals and 85 points last season, taking that big step into true stardom.

Boldy is an excellent offensive winger, but commits to the defensive side of the game as well. He has a very well-rounded game, and for the Minnesota Wild, who are built through the wings, if they can find an elite centre to pair with him, he may be unstoppable.

4. Brandon Hagel

When Brandon Hagel was acquired by the Tampa Bay Lightning, he was a 24-year-old just starting to come into his own, and while he showed signs of promise, he has been far more effective than most people anticipated. On top of being one of the best skaters in the league, he plays with a ton of grit and gets a bunch of points.

Hagel set a new career-high in goals (36) last season, but fell short on his assists and couldn’t match his 90 points from the season before.

3. Jason Robertson

The Dallas Stars have a lot of talent and are looked at as perennial Stanley Cup candidates, but Jason Robertson is the superstar of the team. Even with players like Miro Heiskanen, Mikko Rantanen, and Jake Oettinger, Robertson has taken the lead.

Robertson and the Stars had a hard time with their contract negotiations this offseason, but after signing a one-year deal, he may play his best hockey of his career this season in hopes of getting a massive new contract as an unrestricted free agent in 2027.

2. Kyle Connor

Kyle Connor has reached 90 points for two seasons in a row, and while the Winnipeg Jets have had quite a bit of distractions and the on-ice product hasn’t been spectacular, Connor is one of the brightest spots for them.

Though he has only hit the 40-goal mark twice, there would be very few people surprised if he took another step and became a true Rocket Richard Trophy candidate every season.

1. Kirill Kaprizov

A lot of the things said about Boldy can be said about Kaprizov. While centres Joel Eriksson Ek, Daniil Yurov, and Ryan Hartman all bring their own valuable characteristics, none of them are elite offensive producers. Without having that kind of player to work with, Kaprizov has still managed to become one of the best players in the game.

Scoring 50 goals and netting 100 points would be an expected season for a guy like Kaprizov. Not many players in the league can say that.