The NHL Network’s annual countdown of the top 20 wingers for the 2026‑27 season has ignited debate among fans and analysts alike, and the Florida Panthers are prominently featured.
At number 18, Brady Tkachuk makes the list even though he appeared in only 60 games during the 2025‑26 campaign because of injury, a season in which he still topped the league with 1,747 hits since 2019‑20.
Physical Dominance
His willingness to absorb and deliver body checks has become a hallmark of his game, establishing him as one of the most feared enforcers in the league.
Sam Reinhart, ranked 14th, continues to be the Panthers’ offensive engine, having led the club with 29 goals and 61 points in 64 appearances last season, numbers that echo his career totals of 189 goals, 385 points and 32 game‑winning goals since joining Florida in 2021.
Matthew Tkachuk climbs to eighth place after a strong comeback from offseason surgery, logging 34 points in 31 games and adding 69 playoff points — including two Stanley Cup championships in 2024 and 2025 — to his résumé.
The trio’s placement underscores the Panthers’ depth and recent championship pedigree, a narrative that will likely shape discussions as the network rolls out the remainder of its multi‑part series.