Welcome to the NHL Star Power Index, a weekly look at the players generating the most discussion in hockey. Being on this list means a player is capturing significant attention across the hockey world.
The players are presented without ranking based on buzz. We will update the Star Power Index each week during the regular season.
Matvei Michkov
PHI • RW • #39
G24
A34
+/--13
After the Philadelphia Flyers and coach John Tortorella parted ways following three unremarkable seasons, rookie forward Matvei Michkov has emerged as a bright spot for the team`s future.
Michkov has been on a hot streak, scoring four goals and adding three assists in his last three games, including two games with two goals each.
In a 2-1 victory over the Nashville Predators on Monday, Michkov contributed two assists, tying Peter Zezel for the sixth-most multi-point games (18) by a Flyers rookie. He also equaled Eric Lindros (1992-93), Larry Goodenough (1975-76), and Bill Barber (1972-73) for the ninth-most assists (34) by a Flyers rookie.
Michkov, drafted seventh overall in the 2023 NHL Draft, is playing his first North American season after leaving his KHL contract in the offseason. He currently ranks second in rookie scoring with 58 points, only behind Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson (62).
He also scored twice in a 7-4 win against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday, opening the scoring in a high-scoring game.
Just 5:27 into the game against Buffalo, Flyers defenseman Egor Zemula blocked a shot, leading to a fast break. Travis Konecny picked up the puck and skated two-on-one with Michkov. Michkov received the puck, entered the offensive zone, waited patiently, and fired a shot past Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.
In the second period, Konecny and Michkov connected again for another Flyers goal. Sean Couturier got the puck to Konecny, who quickly passed to Michkov breaking away. Michkov then scored with a backhand shot over Luukkonen`s shoulder.
Michkov is currently on a six-game point streak, with four goals and six assists during that span.
The Flyers rookie is making a strong push for the Calder Trophy as the NHL`s best rookie. While Lane Hutson is the favorite, Michkov is close behind offensively and is proving to be a key part of the Flyers` future, regardless of awards.
Nikita Kucherov
TB • RW • #86
G33
A78
+/-+22
The NHL points race is intensifying as the regular season nears its end. Tampa Bay Lightning star Nikita Kucherov is at the forefront, consistently adding to his point total.
Kucherov recently completed an eight-game point streak, scoring five goals and 14 assists.
In 71 games this season, Kucherov has amassed 111 points (33 goals, 78 assists), trailing only Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche (114 points) for the league lead. Kucherov, the previous season`s Art Ross Trophy winner, has scored in four of his last six games and had four consecutive multi-assist games before Thursday`s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Just 2:02 into Saturday`s 5-3 win against the New York Islanders, Victor Hedman found Kucherov in the neutral zone, who then attacked the net. Kucherov received the puck, accelerated into the offensive zone, and fired a shot that went off the post and in.
Kucherov then became a playmaker while the Lightning held a 3-0 lead late in the second. With 17 seconds left, Kucherov received a pass from Brandon Hagel in the face-off circle. Instead of shooting, Kucherov passed to Brayden Point for an easy goal.
Kucherov is projected to reach 128 points this season, which would be his second-highest career total. He has already secured his fourth straight 100-point season after recording 144 points in 2023-24.
Kucherov`s playmaking has been prominent recently, positioning him to contend with MacKinnon for the points lead as the regular season concludes.
Adam Fox
NYR • D • #23
G9
A47
+/-+10
As the New York Rangers fight for a playoff spot, Adam Fox has been a consistent force on their blue line.
Fox ranks second on the Rangers in points (56) and assists (47), leading the team in power-play assists (16). The defenseman has three goals and one assist in his last three games, including a two-goal game in a 6-1 win against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday.
Against San Jose, Fox scored his first goal thanks to excellent puck movement. Mika Zibanejad passed to Brennan Othmann, who then found Fox cutting to the net. Fox received the puck and shot high to beat Sharks goalie Alexandar Georgiev.
With the Rangers leading 4-0, Fox scored again. K`Andre Miller`s shot went wide, and J.T. Miller tried to sweep the puck in, hitting Georgiev along the goal line. Fox tapped the loose puck into the net for an easy goal.
Fox has become more offensively active recently, recording nine shots in his last three games.
As the Rangers aim for a Wild Card spot, Fox`s offensive contribution will be crucial.
Jordan Binnington
STL • G • #50
Record26-21-4
GAA2.66
Save %90.2
Jordan Binnington impressed at the 4 Nations Face-Off earlier this season and has maintained that high level of play for the St. Louis Blues, who are in the Wild Card race in the Western Conference.
Since the 4 Nations Face-Off, Binnington has a 10-2-0 record with a 2.00 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage.
The Blues goalie has allowed only three goals in his last three games, all of which were wins. In his latest start, Binnington made 20 saves on 21 shots in a 2-1 overtime win against the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday.
Binnington has allowed two or fewer goals in nine of his 13 games since the 4 Nations Face-Off and has won six consecutive starts.
The Blues have an 11-game winning streak since March 15. Binnington`s elite play comes at a crucial time for St. Louis as they compete for a playoff spot.
