Calgary Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau ranked 30th on NHL Network’s new countdown series Top 50 Players Right Now last night, ranking the best players in the National Hockey League. Gaudreau finished one spot ahead of two-time William M. Jennings Trophy winner Corey Crawford of the Chicago Blackhawks and one spot behind three-time Frank J. Selke Trophy winner Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins.

NHL Network’s Steve Mears and Dave Reid counted down the best players based on player performance over the past several seasons, with an emphasis on the 2015-16 season. The ranking also weighted projected performance in the 2016-17 season, taking into account players returning from injury and young players expected to break out.

Gaudreau had a strong second season in the NHL, leading the Flames in scoring with 78 points (30 goals, 48 assists) in 79 games. That followed a stellar rookie season, when Gaudreau, 23, had 64 points (24 goals, 40 assists) in 80 games in 2014-15 and was a finalist for the Calder Trophy. Gaudreau also was named to the 2015 NHL All-Star Game as an injury replacement, and had two assists.

Gaudreau is part of a promising young core in Calgary, along with fellow forwards Sean Monahan and Sam Bennett, that the Flames hope can power them to Stanley Cup Playoff contention in the Western Conference.

NHL NETWORK'S TOP 50 PLAYERS RIGHT NOW, 21-50

21. Connor McDavid, F, Edmonton Oilers

22. Victor Hedman, D, Tampa Bay Lightning

23. Kris Letang, D, Pittsburgh Penguins

24. Cory Schneider, G, New Jersey Devils

25. Roman Josi, D, Nashville Predators

26. P.K. Subban, D, Nashville Predators

27. Shea Weber, D, Montreal Canadiens

28. Henrik Lundqvist, G, New York Rangers

29. Patrice Bergeron, F, Boston Bruins

30. Johnny Gaudreau, F, Calgary Flames

31. Corey Crawford, G, Chicago Blackhawks

32. Oliver Ekman-Larsson, D, Arizona Coyotes

33. Joe Thornton, F, San Jose Sharks

34. Claude Giroux, F, Philadelphia Flyers

35. Nikita Kucherov, F, Tampa Bay Lightning

36. Ryan Suter, D, Minnesota Wild

37. Corey Perry, F, Anaheim Ducks

38. Nicklas Backstrom, F, Washington Capitals

39. Artemi Panarin, F, Chicago Blackhawks

40. Evgeny Kuznetsov, F, Washington Capitals

41. Ryan Getzlaf, F, Anaheim Ducks

42. Dustin Byfuglien, D, Winnipeg Jets

43. Brent Seabrook, D, Chicago Blackhawks

44. John Klingberg, D, Dallas Stars

45. Blake Wheeler, F, Winnipeg Jets

46. Aaron Ekblad, D, Florida Panthers

47. Alex Pietrangelo, D, St. Louis Blues

48. Ryan McDonagh, D, New York Rangers

49. Shayne Gostisbehere, D, Philadelphia Flyers

50. Martin Jones, G, San Jose Sharks