The NHL Network released its top 20 wingers list head of the 2022-23 season. Atop the list is Alex Ovechkin, followed by Nikita Kucherov, Kirill Kaprizov, Mitch Marner and Jonathan Huberdeau to round out the top 5. There were some interesting inclusions in the top 20, including Filip Forsberg who eclipsed the 30 goal mark for the first time in 5 years scoring 42.
While still on pace to break Wayne Gretzky's goal record, Ovechkin should not be in the top spot on this list. Marner is in the vicinity of where he should be at 4, but based on underlying numbers, William Nylander should find himself in the bottom half of the list.
Nylander set a career high in points with 80 and goals with 34 this past season and is, believe it or not, one of the Leafs' better forwards entering the offensive zone. Over the last 3 years in all situations, Nylander ranks 12th in goals per 60 and 15th in primary points per 60. At even strength, his numbers are even better in both categories, ranking 10th and 11th respectively. Among all forwards (not just wingers) Nylander ranked 18th in primary assists and 30th in points.
Nylander doesn't get the recognition he should for the smart and good plays he makes and always get endless criticisms for the plays he doesn't make, but he is quietly a very productive winger, both in underlying stats and regularly tracked stats. You could certainly argue a case that he should be ahead of Forsberg and possibly Jason Robertson and Alex DeBrincat on this list.
