As the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs approach, an article has ranked the top 50 players based on their value measured by Goals Above Replacement (GAR).

This ranking method evaluates players by combining their peak, recent, and sustained performance, with a particular emphasis on the current 2024-25 season.

Notably, injured players expected to miss significant playoff time, such as Jack Hughes, have been excluded from these rankings.

Key storylines to watch include Connor Hellebuyck's potential historic performance for the Winnipeg Jets, a crucial matchup between the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars, and the challenge for Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to lead the Edmonton Oilers to a championship after their near miss last season.

The article underscores the importance of advanced statistics in assessing player performance as the playoffs get underway.

To ensure fairness, a safeguard is in place that prevents a player's established level from dropping below 75% of their most recent season's GAR, thereby valuing recent performance appropriately.

GAR itself is a metric that measures a player's overall impact on the game compared to a replacement-level player, distributing value across positions with 60% allocated to forwards, 30% to defensemen, and 10% to goaltenders.