April 21, 2025, Los Angeles, California, USA: CONNOR MCDAVID of the NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA s Edmonton Oilers skates during warmups before a game against the Los Angeles Kings in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Quarter Finals at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California on April 21, 2025 Los Angeles USA - ZUMAc239 20250421_zsp_c239_016 Copyright: xAlexxCavex
April 21, 2025, Los Angeles, California, USA: CONNOR MCDAVID of the NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA s Edmonton Oilers skates during warmups before a game against the Los Angeles Kings in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Quarter Finals at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California on April 21, 2025 Los Angeles USA - ZUMAc239 20250421_zsp_c239_016 Copyright: xAlexxCavex
The NHL announced its 2025-26 First and Second All-Star Teams on Friday. Top scorers Connor McDavid and Nikita Kucherov led the group after another excellent regular season.
The Oilers captain won the Ted Lindsay Award, which goes to the NHL’s most outstanding player as voted by fellow players. The center scored 138 points in 82 games, with a league-leading 90 assists.
He earned his sixth First Team All-Star selection, the most among active players. He also tied NHL greats Jean Beliveau, Phil Esposito, and Stan Mikita for the second-most First Team selections by a center.
Sport Bilder des Tages April 21, 2022, Tampa, Florida, USA: Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov 86 celebrates his goal beating Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Erik Kallgren 50 during second period action at Amalie Arena on Thursday, April 21, 2022 in Tampa. Tampa USA - ZUMAs70_ 0156605613st Copyright: xDirkxShaddx
Sport Bilder des Tages April 21, 2022, Tampa, Florida, USA: Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov 86 celebrates his goal beating Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Erik Kallgren 50 during second period action at Amalie Arena on Thursday, April 21, 2022 in Tampa. Tampa USA - ZUMAs70_ 0156605613st Copyright: xDirkxShaddx
On the other hand, Kucherov clinched his second Hart Trophy, surpassing Martin St. Louis' total with the franchise. The Tampa Bay Lightning star finished second to McDavid with 130 points in 76 games.
This marked his fifth First Team All-Star selection, the most among active right wings and one of the highest totals ever at the position.
The First Team rounded out with Dallas winger Jason Robertson, Colorado defenseman Cale Makar, Columbus defenseman Zach Werenski, and Tampa goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy.
Werenski won the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top defenseman. Averaging 26:37 of ice time, he also chipped in with 22 goals and 59 assists.
Vasilevskiy earned his third First Team nod after winning the Vezina. The goaltender finished the season with a 39-15-4 record, a 2.31 goals-against average, and a .912 save percentage.
Cale Makar earned his fourth First Team All-Star selection, recording 59 assists and averaging almost 25 minutes of ice time. Meanwhile, Jason Robertson returned for the first time since the 2022-23 season after recording 96 points.
With NHL stalwarts leading the First Team, fans noted many of their favorites in the Second Team selection.
MacKinnon, Pastrnak Lead Second Team Selections
Nathan MacKinnon and David Pastrnak returned to the Second Team for the third time in their careers, anchoring a roster that blended veteran stars with emerging talent.
The Colorado Avalanche center recorded 127 points, while Pastrnak posted 100 points for the Boston Bruins.
Four players earned postseason All-Star recognition for the first time. Montreal Canadiens winger Cole Caufield claimed the spot after scoring 51 goals and 88 points.
Evan Bouchard of the Edmonton Oilers made the team after a career-best 95-point season, the highest for a blueliner this season.
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin also finished with a career-high 74 points.
Rounding out the team, Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson finished the season with a 31-21-6 record and four shutouts.
Members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association voted on the teams after the regular season ended. The NHL also announced its All-Rookie Team earlier on Friday, ending a day that honored the league’s top players from the 2025-26 season.
Which First Team All-Star selection impressed you the most, and what made that player's season stand out above the rest? Comment down below.
Read more at the NHL Fan Central.
Written by
Kapil Manghnani
Edited by
Sijo Paul