They're the guys who make things go.

Or in some cities, the guys who make sure things don't go...in the net.

Either way, they're among the vitally important players on each of the NHL's 32 teams, and the B/R gang got together to determine which one is likely to be his team's most valuable player for the 2024-25 season.

Some made our list based on years of past performance. Some are included because of the starts they're off to through this season's first handful of games. And others are a blend of both.

Regardless of reason, we invite you to take a look at what we came up with and drop a thought or two of your own in the comments.

Atlantic Division

Boston Bruins: David Pastrnak

He's a point-per-game player for the last six seasons, a 100-point scorer for the last two and the main driver for the Boston offense. Jeremy Swayman is a big deal, but he's not "Pasta."

Buffalo Sabres: Tage Thompson

It's less clear in Buffalo, and there'd be no haranguing anyone choosing new captain Rasmus Dahlin here, but we'll go with Thompson, particularly if he approaches 47 goals again.

Detroit Red Wings: Alex DeBrincat

The 26-year-old Michigander hasn't replicated his two 40-goal seasons with the Blackhawks, but he's put down roots with the Red Wings and will carry the flag for the "Yzerplan."

Florida Panthers: Aleksander Barkov

Matthew Tkachuk is the heart and soul and Sergei Bobrovsky mans the net, but there's no better 200-foot player in the game than the Florida captain, which he proved last spring.

Montreal Canadiens: Nick Suzuki

There was an opening for Patrik Laine had the question been asked a month ago, but his injury clears the decks for Suzuki, who's boosted his goal total for four straight seasons.

Ottawa Senators: Brady Tkachuk

The younger of Keith's hockey-playing sons, Brady's 37 goals in 2023-24 were the most for any player who'd also compiled at least 290 hits in the same season. He's a handful.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Nikita Kucherov

It's excellence by committee in Tampa, and it could easily be Jake Guentzel, Victor Hedman, Brayden Point or Andrei Vasilevskiy here, but we'll go with sublimely skilled Russian.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Auston Matthews

The most prolific scorer of his generation, Matthews was celly-less on 15 shots across his first three games this season, but history shows he'll wind up north of 40 by the time it's over.

Central Division

Chicago Blackhawks: Connor Bedard

The top pick flickered greatness in an injury-scuttled first season, and there's no reason to believe he won't drive the Blackhawks to whatever success they have this time, too.

Colorado Avalanche: Nathan MacKinnon

There's no arguing that Alex Georgiev's net performance will have a big impact on Colorado's season, but the engine is fueled by the reigning MVP and will be again.

Dallas Stars: Jason Robertson

There's no deeper more talented team in the league than the Stars, so a number of players could be slotted in here, but we'll ride with a two-time 40-goal scorer who's still just 25.

Minnesota Wild: Kirill Kapizov

It's already a heavy lift for GM Bill Guerin to keep Kaprizov in Minnesota when his contract ends after next season and a fourth straight 40-goal season will drive the value up more.

Nashville Predators: Juuse Saros

He plays behind a cast studded with more stars than at any point in his career, but there's still no player with a greater impact on the Predators' fortunes—good or bad—than Saros.

St. Louis Blues: Jordan Kyrou

GM Doug Armstrong made his Toronto-born winger a focal point with an eight-year, $65 million contract two summers ago and Kyrou's consistency has been an early payoff.

Utah Hockey Club: Clayton Keller

There's predictable excitement and optimism in Utah these days and a big reason is the presence of Keller, who's surely among the best lower-profile (for now) players in the league.

Winnipeg Jets: Kyle Connor

It's a tight race with Mark Scheifele and Connor Hellebuyck but we'll go with the Michigan-born sniper, a 2015 first-rounder who's scored 30 or more goals in five straight full seasons.

Metropolitan Division

Carolina Hurricanes: Sebastian Aho

Carolina is starless again with the exit of Jake Guentzel, but don't mistake that for a lack of quality players. Among them is Aho, who's 11th in the league in goals (201) since 2018-19.

Columbus Blue Jackets: Kirill Marchenko

It's a difficult call in a difficult season in Columbus, but Marchenko is a sturdy 6'3" winger who's popped for 20-plus goals in two straight seasons and he's just 24. Buy low.

New Jersey Devils: Jack Hughes

It's been an evolution process for 2019's top pick, but a 99-point season in 2022-23 cemented Hughes as an elite. If he reaches those heights again, it's party time in Jersey.

New York Rangers: Artemi Panarin

Forget the Rangers alone, it'd be hard to find many players league-wide more valuable than Panarin, who spiked to 120 points last season and is on pace for 225 through four games.

New York Islanders: Mathew Barzal

Ilya Sorokin will probably be a rock in goal for the Islanders whether they're winning or losing, which means offense, specifically Barzal, will have a bigger impact on the standings.

Philadelphia Flyers: Matvei Michkov

If you're talking about the Flyers it's probably because of Michkov, the teenage winger from Russia who was the KHL's best youngster last season. He'll keep John Tortorella on his toes.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Sidney Crosby

Evgeni Malkin is off to a ridiculous start but the Penguins' MVP will be Crosby, now 37, until he shows any noticeable slide. Based on his 94 points last season, don't hold your breath.

Washington Capitals: Alex Ovechkin

It's an important season for the generational sniper, who's chasing an all-time goals mark and still a vital spoke in the Capitals' offensive wheel. If he's not on, they're not in the playoffs.

Pacific Division

Anaheim Ducks: Trevor Zegras

It's a big next-step season for the 23-year-old center, who was a video-game cover boy but played just 31 non-transcendent games last season. If he's the future, he needs to prove it.

Calgary Flames: Jonathan Huberdeau

The Flames are off to a nice start, and it's no coincidence that Huberdeau has his groove back after two forgettable seasons to start his Calgary run. If it continues, they'll be a factor.

Edmonton Oilers: Connor McDavid

C'mon, could we really go with anyone else? No. 97 is the game's best player, and his otherworldliness makes the Oilers a Cup contender. Imagine where they'd be without him.

Los Angeles Kings: Kevin Fiala

We could go nostalgic (Anze Kopitar) or youthful (Quinton Byfield), but it's Fiala, a skilled winger, whom the Kings committed to for seven years upon getting him from Minnesota.

San Jose Sharks: Macklin Celebrini

The 18-year-old top pick scored a goal and added an assist in his NHL debut but has been on the shelf since with a hip issue. It's frustrating now but it'll be worth it when he's healthy.

Seattle Kraken: Jared McCann

The move to the Pacific Northwest has boosted the MVP cred for the 28-year-old winger, who's scored 96 goals in three seasons with the Kraken and is red hot to start 2024-25.

Vancouver Canucks: Quinn Hughes

He arrived before his Garden State brother as the blue-liner of the family and became it's MVP last season with 92 points and a Norris Trophy. If the Canucks are elite again, he'll be why.

Vegas Golden Knights: Jack Eichel

It's no coincidence that Eichel's arrival from Buffalo coincided with the team's rise to a championship two seasons ago. And if he continues his prolific start this season, they'll contend again.