The 2014-2015 NHL season is nearly upon us. Below are the consensus rankings for our Top-120 forwards.

The rankers are myself (Joshua Kay), Michael Kies (MK) and Christopher Morais (CM).

Player Blurbs

Obviously we aren’t going to all agree on where certain players should be ranked. Below are our writers’ takes on players they feel different on than the consensus.

Nicklas Backstrom | Washington Capitals | Consensus Rank: 20 

“Backstrom is one of the games best set-up men year after year. The Olympic silver medalist will center a line with Alex Ovechkin and will have another productive year. The worry comes from head coach Barry Trotz and his defense-first mentality that has seen him take an average Nashville Predators team and bring them to the playoffs. If Trotz decides to imply the same mentality in Washington, it could mean limiting his forward’s offensive abilities and Backstrom makes a living setting up teammates. Personally, I would take the 26 year-old, just not in the first two rounds. I have him ranked at #37.” – Christopher Morais

Daniel and Henrik Sedin | Vancouver Canucks | Consensus Ranks: 31 and 40

“Coming into this season both Daniel and Henrik Sedin will be thirty-four years old. While age is a concern, the acquisition of Radim Vrbata gives the twins a skillful player to pass the puck to. This should give all three players more opportunities to improve their stats and reach new highs. I can see both Daniel and Henrik Sedin staying in the top thirty for a while, provided they take advantage of a great new line mate. I ranked Daniel at #21 and Henrik at #26.” – Michael Kies

Rick Nash | New York Rangers | Consensus Rank: 41

“The former first overall pick in the 2002 NHL Draft got it done during his first campaign with the Rangers in 2012 — a lockout-shortened campaign. Nash posted 44 points in 48 games during that year, but this past year his production hit rock-bottom — 39 points in 68 games. The easy answer can be found by blaming Nash’s 17:01 average time on ice —  a career low since his 18-year-old rookie season. My rank of #29 is admittedly bullish given his paltry stats last year, but I refuse to believe that this once super-star is now a “has been role player.”  – Joshua Kay

“The first season Nash joined the New York Rangers he looked great, however last season was a different story. Over the stretch of his 2013-2014 campaign, Nash had a career low of 39 points in 65 games. The Ontario native just doesn’t seem like the same player anymore. While he is currently slated to be on the first line that could change quickly if he gets off to slow start once again. The question is not what have you done, but rather what can you for us now? My answer? not much, as his #67 rank suggests.” – Michael Kies

Patrice Bergeron | Boston Bruins | Consensus Rank: 49

“Bergeron is the most underrated playing in the NHL. The two-time goal medalist has done nothing but produce in every offensive category for the last four years.

The following table shows Bergeron’s production since 2010-2011

*Lockout shorten season

The two-time Selke winner fills every category in fantasy hockey, including a ridiculous plus-118 in the last four years, and doesn’t miss games due to injury. The Canadian is coming off his first 30-goal season and could easily repeat that this year. Managers should not wait to draft Bergeron, in fact you should probably move up a few spots to draft him. Bergeron is my #37 forward.” – Christopher Morais

“When push comes to shove, this talented Canadian will be thrust into a defensive role in crunch time, limiting his offensive upside in my opinion. Bergeron is an excellent player to pair with the likes of Taylor Hall or John Tavares, but if you don’t have a glaring weakness in the plus/minus category, and or don’t plan on drafting a top-level defenseman, his upside is limited. There is no question that Bergeron is an elite talent — in fact I’d rate him one of the Top-5 centers in the game right now. Whether we can continue to count on his offensive prowess remains to be seen. Should he prove himself to be more aggressive, he will join Jonathan Toews and Anze Kopitar as elite two-way fantasy centers. For now, I have him ranked at #72.” – Joshua Kay

Scott Hartnell | Columbus Blue Jackets | Consensus Rank: 57

“Known for his tenacity and amazing hair, this tough as nails forward is seeing a bit too much hype following his arrival in Columbus. Early reports are that he’ll start on the same line as rising star Ryan Johansen, but I’ll be absolutely stunned if he’s still on the number one line following the first month of the season. Hartnell is a gritty player but Johansen’s speed and skill level demand wingers with at least one of those qualities. It’s possible that 32-year-old can survive on his sheer ability to work well without the puck and find open space, but don’t be surprised if we see Matt Calvert and Cam Atkinson eventually flank for the talented Johansen on the first line. At best, he’s a poor man’s David Backes (ignoring positional difference). At worst he’s a souped up Steve Downie. Hartnell is my #81 forward.” – Joshua Kay

Jarome Iginla | Colorado Avalanche | Consensus Rank: 72

“Age is just number, so while Iginla continues to get older his style of play stays the same. While some might say the Edmonton native has gotten slower over years, speed was never part of his skill-set. Iginla is a tough in-your-face player with an accurate shot, and an excellent ability to find open space without the puck. Given the talent on the first line — Gabriel Landeskog and Matt Duchene — Iginla will be given many opportunities to put the puck in the net. I have Iginla at #34.” – Michael Kies

“The 37-year-old Iginla is moving to the mountains of Colorado this year to play with numerous skilled players like Matt Duchene, Gabriel Landeskog — both of whom he is scheduled to skate with — and Nathan MacKinnon. While the Avalanche are weak at right wing, and Iginla is unlikely to be wally pipped by Alex Tanguay for action on the first line, Iginla’s increasing age and sharp point per game declines over each of the past five years indicate that the end is near. Whether it be an early injury or just plain ineffectiveness, I don’t think the veteran will live up to expectations. I want to see something from the Canadian before he breaks my Top-120. ” – Joshua Kay