NHL style power rankings: All eyes on Connor Bedard, Patrik Laine and 2 Maple Leafs

Publish date: 2024-06-30

The Athletic’s NHL style power rankings have returned for the 2023-24 season. Julian McKenzie and Scott Powers take over the rankings this season. McKenzie covers the Calgary Flames, while Powers covers the Chicago Blackhawks.

We both love shoes and style. By the time you get to read this, one of us probably will be scrolling through StockX looking for the next pair of shoes or shirts to add to our wardrobe.

We’ve taken notice of how hockey players are slowly starting to take chances when it comes to their own style choices. We’ll account for that in our semi-monthly style power rankings. We’re looking forward to a fun and stylish season.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Powers: OK, hear me out. I’m not saying this combination works exactly, but I feel like Laine needed to be on our season-opening list, just for his overall fashion game alone. He tests the limits. This one is suspect, but I respect the attempt.

McKenzie: Laine saw the new ”Spider-Man” movie, fell in love with Spider-Man 2099 and said, ”Give me his outfit.” I like Laine trying new things, but I’m not as high on this as my man Scott is.

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Columbus Blue Jackets

Chicago Blackhawks

Powers: Bedard is showing up everywhere right now; he might as well be here, too. With an 18-year-old, you never know when it comes to clothes. Bedard’s early-season looks have been on point.

McKenzie: It’s a great look for the budding superstar. It isn’t too flashy to start — don’t get us wrong, we’d love if he did that — but he found a way to rock his look. Great colored suit, love the gray shirt and red tie. It’s a solid rookie effort for Bedard.

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Chicago Blackhawks

Edmonton Oilers

McKenzie: Kane apparently is the loudest in the Oilers’ room when it comes to outfits. This fit isn’t necessarily loud, but the powder-blue ensemble with no tie is a winner.

Powers: Kane made the list for me because it was a stellar flight fit. Players don’t always put the most attention into what they wear on the team plane. Kane’s look feels comfortable, but it’s with class.

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Edmonton Oilers

Anaheim Ducks

McKenzie: Maybe I’d opt for a different color of hat, but I appreciate the attempt here. I like the gray suit. I’d also change the vest to a similar color. But I’m willing to give Radko some props here.

Powers: There’s a lot going on here, but it somehow connects all together.

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Anaheim Ducks

Dallas Stars

Powers: This is one we debated a bit. For me, it was the entire color combination of the suit, tie and shoes. The jacket lining was a nice touch, too. I will say I am torn on whether the sockless look works here. I get that loafers are often meant to be sockless, but I think the package would hit harder if you didn’t see skin between the pants and loafers.

McKenzie: I really like the fit from Oettinger — especially when we held it up against other looks from his teammates. Oettinger’s got the right shade of brown for the suit, and his tie is fine. I’m actually in favor of the sockless look.

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Dallas Stars

Buffalo Sabres

McKenzie: Dahlin’s next contract will let him buy way more suits. He can keep this one as he updates his closet — primarily because of the team he plays for. The Buffalo blue is a good look to start off the season. But I’d probably opt for darker pants. Also, spot the Rick Jeanneret pin. Love it.

Powers: The glasses added a little more flavor to the whole ensemble, too. It takes a certain someone to pull all that off, and Dahlin did.

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Buffalo Sabres

Calgary Flames

Powers: I talked to Zadorov about fashion for a story when he was in Chicago. He was influenced by growing up in Moscow and being around beautiful people, as he put it. He also said, ”When you have money, you can spend some money on the clothing, on the branding.” This one probably cost some money, but it was definitely worth it.

McKenzie: There’s something about this suit that screams ”Wall Street,” ”money” and ”business” to me. I’ve been told that Zadorov does care about his style, so maybe he had our style rankings in mind with the look.

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Calgary Flames

San Jose Sharks

McKenzie: Gray isn’t always the most exciting color, but the pattern and style do it for me. A three-piece suit combined with the hairstyle and glasses, and Duke has done enough to make it on our list in my eyes.

Powers: Honestly, this was one of my early-season favorites. It just speaks bold and powerful to me.

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San Jose Sharks

Toronto Maple Leafs

McKenzie: I love this outfit so much, and I wish I could pull off wearing that shade of pink. It absolutely matches Reavo’s personality: electric and as in your face as you can get. The brown loafers work, too. I’d probably switch the color of the pocket square, but I’m admittedly being nitpicky.

Powers: I thought the pocket square worked, but not the loafers. But again, I’m probably being nitpicky. It’s a great look.

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Toronto Maple Leafs

Powers: We actually flipped a coin to decide which Marner photo to use. (His fits are that good right now.) I won and chose this one. I like the suit, especially the color, but it was his Nike SB Dunk Low x Sean Cliver sneakers (shout-out to my sneaker guy Sockjig for the shoe assist) that put the outfit over the top for me. Dunks may have lost some momentum to some, but these are nice.

McKenzie: Leafs fans focus on Marner’s play, but they also should pay attention to his drip. The peach-colored suit with the shoes is a great combo.

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Toronto Maple Leafs

(Top photo of Connor Bedard: Kevin Sousa / NHLI via Getty Images)

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NHL style power rankings: All eyes on Connor Bedard, Patrik Laine and 2 Maple Leafs