Brayden
McNabb
D · VGK · Defensive · Elite
- PAL
- 92
- WAR
- 1.5
- Value
- 93
- PTS
- 12
2025-26№ 41 / 325
Brayden McNabb (Vegas Golden Knights) stats and profile: offensive production, ice time, advanced stats, WAR and PAL rating.
Brayden McNabb
HEIGHT : 193 cm · WEIGHT : 98 kg · SHOOTS : L
Born : January 20, 1991 · Davidson, Canada
Drafted : 2009 · BUF · round 3, pick #66
Contract : $3,650,000 · 2025-26 → 2027-28 · Standard Contract (Extension) · UFA · Signing bonus $2,875,000NTC / M-NTC
NHL record
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | Vegas Golden Knights | 19 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| 2025-26 | Vegas Golden Knights | 63 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 26 |
| 2024-25 | Vegas Golden Knights | 82 | 5 | 15 | 20 | 32 |
| 2023-24 | Vegas Golden Knights | 82 | 4 | 22 | 26 | 37 |
| 2022-23 | Vegas Golden Knights | 82 | 1 | 16 | 17 | 51 |
| 2021-22 | Vegas Golden Knights | 69 | 3 | 15 | 18 | 42 |
| 2020-21 | Vegas Golden Knights | 41 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 16 |
| 2019-20 | Vegas Golden Knights | 71 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 40 |
| 2018-19 | Vegas Golden Knights | 81 | 4 | 12 | 16 | 52 |
| 2017-18 | Vegas Golden Knights | 76 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 52 |
| 2016-17 | Los Angeles Kings | 49 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 54 |
| 2015-16 | Los Angeles Kings | 81 | 2 | 12 | 14 | 92 |
| 2014-15 | Los Angeles Kings | 71 | 2 | 22 | 24 | 52 |
| 2013-14 | Buffalo Sabres | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 2011-12 | Buffalo Sabres | 25 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 15 |
| NHL totals | 903 | 38 | 161 | 199 | 575 | |
Playoffs
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | Vegas Golden Knights | 21 | 1 | 9 | 10 | 23 |
| 2024-25 | Vegas Golden Knights | 11 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 6 |
| 2023-24 | Vegas Golden Knights | 7 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 0 |
| 2022-23 | Vegas Golden Knights | 21 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 10 |
| 2020-21 | Vegas Golden Knights | 13 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 |
| 2019-20 | Vegas Golden Knights | 20 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 14 |
| 2018-19 | Vegas Golden Knights | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| 2017-18 | Vegas Golden Knights | 20 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 20 |
| 2015-16 | Los Angeles Kings | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Playoff totals | 125 | 6 | 30 | 36 | 83 | |
Honours
- 🏆 Stanley Cuponce · 2022-23
Brayden McNabb: our analysis
2025-26 season: 63 GP, 5 G, 7 A, 12 PTS, +2 +/-, 20:31 TOI. WAR 1.5 (41st of 325) · PAL 92, elite.
In 2025-26, Brayden McNabb, 35, posts a PAL Rating of 92 out of 100 (elite), and his WAR of 1.5 ranks 41st among 325 regulars, in the top quarter.
His strengths: defense (99, among the best in the league), penalty kill (95, among the best in the league) and possession (94, among the best in the league). On the other hand, offense (23, well below average) and power play (32, below average) hold him back.
Breaking down his WAR (goals above average), his biggest contribution: EV defense (+5.8); his biggest cost: EV offense (-0.9).
A clear step forward: his PAL went from 83 in 2024-25 to 92; his WAR went from 1.3 to 1.5.
Contract-wise, his Value score of 93 (exceptional value) weighs his output against what he costs: 50 is what that salary should buy.
Brayden McNabb's story
Raised in Saskatchewan, Brayden McNabb came up through major junior hockey before becoming an NHL regular. Buffalo picked him 66th overall in the 2009 draft after he developed with the Kootenay Ice in the WHL, serving as the club's captain in 2010–11 and appearing at the Memorial Cup. At junior international events he represented Canada, winning gold at the 2008 Ivan Hlinka tournament and skating at the 2009 IIHF U18 Championship. He also attended Athol Murray College of Notre Dame, where he played alongside other future pros.
McNabb built his early reputation as a stay-at-home defenceman: positionally sound, physical and focused on limiting chances against. He signed his entry-level deal with the Buffalo Sabres in May 2011 and split time between the NHL and AHL, developing with the Rochester Americans and earning recalls to Buffalo. His first NHL goal came in December 2011, and his rookie years included a concussion that sidelined him briefly before further AHL seasoning and a push into Calder Cup play.
A trade in March 2014 sent him to the Los Angeles organization, where he re-signed on a two-year contract and completed his first full NHL season in 2014–15. Injuries interrupted his momentum at times—most notably a broken collarbone in October 2016—but he reached the 200-game milestone early in 2017. Left unprotected in the 2017 Expansion Draft, McNabb was selected by the Vegas Golden Knights and adopted the number 3 while establishing himself as a top defensive pair option.
In Vegas his strengths — high totals of hits and blocked shots, physical zone play and defensive reliability — earned him multi-year extensions, including a four-year, $10 million deal in 2017 and a three-year extension in 2022. He was part of the Golden Knights' 2023 Stanley Cup-winning team. Internationally, he skated for Canada at underage tournaments and attended the 2011 national junior selection camp without making the final roster. Plainly put, McNabb is defined by his defensive discipline, physical engagement and steady minutes in his own end.
Facts drawn from Wikipédia, told in our own words.
Advanced stats
- TOI/GP
- 19:48
- PP TOI/GP
- 0:01
- SH TOI/GP
- 2:26
- Pts/GP
- 0.42
- EV points
- 8
- Hits
- 28
- Blocks
- 27
- Takeaways
- 5
- Corsi % (SAT)
- 54.4 %
- Off. zone starts
- 31.2 %
Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)
2026-27 projection
Projected points
21between 11 and 30 (80% range)
- Goals
- 4
- Assists
- 18
- Games
- 76
So far: 8 pts in 19 games. The team has played 19 of 84 games. Projected pace: 0.23 pts per game (last season: 0.19).
The projection follows last season's pace. Tested on 2,265 player seasons (2022-23 to 2025-26): average miss of 9 points over 82 games; for players at 0.9 points per game and up, it ran 5 points high on average.
Trend
Stable
- Points per game: 0.32 in 23-24, 0.19 in 25-26
- PAL Rating: 83 → 92
Outlook, age included
↘ Slight declineAge 35: the age when production usually declines
This is only a projection. It knows nothing about injuries, trades or role changes; one player in five finishes outside the range.
Player ratings, 2025-26
All ratings →Fourteen ratings from 0 to 100 drawn from data, never by hand: 75 = established NHL player, 95+ = elite.
OV · OverallConfidence 86 %
77
Established NHL
- SK
- Skating
- 37
- Confidence 73 %
- ST
- Strength
- 78
- Confidence 88 %
- EN
- Endurance
- 77
- Confidence 80 %
- DU
- Durability
- 80
- Confidence 77 %
- CK
- Checking
- 85
- Confidence 88 %
- FG
- Fighting
- 76
- Confidence 66 %
- DI
- Discipline
- 77
- Confidence 88 %
- FO
- Faceoffs
- —
- PA
- Passing
- 62
- Confidence 86 %
- SC
- Scoring
- 69
- Confidence 86 %
- DF
- Defense
- 94
- Confidence 83 %
- PS
- Penalty shot
- 76
- Confidence 0 %
- EX
- Experience
- 94
- Confidence 100 %
Why these ratings?Hide details
SK — Skating37
- Top speed (35 %)33.4 · 45
- Bursts > 20 mph /60 (30 %)0.388 · 37
- Distance /60 (20 %)13.6 · 54
- Speed consistency (15 %)32.3 · 50
ST — Strength78
- Contact absorbed /60 (50 %)4.754 · 72
- Body mass (50 %)0.934 · 81
EN — Endurance77
- Ice time per game (45 %)19.4 · 77
- Total ice time (20 %)1,259 · 73
- Shift length (15 %)46.3 · 70
- Lowest recent ice time per game (15 %)18.7 · 79
- Special-teams time per game (5 %)2.281 · 74
DU — Durability80
- Share of games played (100 %)0.849 · 80
CK — Checking85
- Hits /60 (70 %)5.154 · 85
- Lowest seasonal rate (20 %)4.606 · 86
- Season volume (10 %)4.71 · 84
FG — Fighting76
- Fights per 82 games (100 %)0.842 · 76
DI — Discipline77
- Net penalty value /60 (50 %)-0.034 · 77
- Penalties taken /60 (30 %)0.596 · 76
- Penalties drawn /60 (20 %)0.397 · 76
PA — Passing62
- Primary assists /60 (40 %)0.252 · 60
- Secondary assists /60 (20 %)0.315 · 61
- Offensive creation (RAPM) (20 %)-0.041 · 69
- Power-play points /60 (10 %)4.117 · 75
- Assist consistency (10 %)0.167 · 65
SC — Scoring69
- Goals /60 (25 %)0.192 · 72
- Individual xG /60 (20 %)0.182 · 72
- Finishing (goals − xG per shot) (20 %)0.098 · 70
- High-danger chances /60 (15 %)0.073 · 68
- xG per shot (10 %)0.033 · 68
- Shot attempts /60 (10 %)9.371 · 73
DF — Defense94
- RAPM defense /60 (35 %)0.233 · 96
- Relative xG against (20 %)-0.182 · 86
- On-ice xG against /60 (15 %)2.339 · 94
- Penalty kill /60 (10 %)0.049 · 80
- Takeaways − giveaways /60 (10 %)-1.377 · 89
- Shot attempts against /60 (5 %)55.9 · 85
- Blocked shots /60 (5 %)6.487 · 97
PS — Penalty shot76
- Shootouts (60 %)32.7 · 76
- Penalty shots (40 %)26.7 · 76
EX — Experience94
- Career regular-season games (65 %)96
- Career playoff games (25 %)91
- NHL seasons (10 %)94
OV — Overall77
- DF · Defense (30 %)94
- PA · Passing (22 %)62
- SK · Skating (12 %)37
- SC · Scoring (12 %)69
- EN · Endurance (9 %)77
- ST · Strength (6 %)78
- DI · Discipline (5 %)77
- CK · Checking (4 %)85
| Season | OV | SK | SC | DF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 77 | 37 | 69 | 94 |
| 2024-25 | 77 | 37 | 65 | 93 |
| 2023-24 | 77 | 37 | 62 | 90 |
| 2022-23 | 75 | 37 | 56 | 91 |
The bars show confidence (sample size), not player quality. — : not enough data, not a zero. Engine version 1.0.
WAR and PAL ratings, 2025-26
How we rate →PAL Rating scores performance from 0 to 100 against players at the same position (50 = average player), starting from the player's strength, offensive or defensive. Value Rating compares that performance with what the player costs: 50 means paid what the play is worth.
WAR
1.5
wins above replacement
41 of 325
PAL Rating
92/ 100
Performance · Elite
19 of 250 at the position
Value Rating
93/ 100
Exceptional value
3.65 M$ · expected PAL 60
ProfileDefensiveValue comes mostly from defense
- Offense
- 59
- Defense
- 99
See full detailsHide details
- Offense
- 23
- Creation
- 62
- Shooting
- 52
- Possession
- 94
- Defense
- 99
- Discipline
- 80
- Power play
- 32
- Penalty kill
- 95
From 0 to 100; 50 is the average player at the same position, adjusted for ice time.
| Season | Team | WAR | PAL | Value | Cap hit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | VGK | 1.5 | 92 | 93 | 3.65 M$ |
| 2024-25 | VGK | 1.3 | 83 | 80 | 2.85 M$ |
| 2023-24 | VGK | 0.9 | 72 | 65 | 2.85 M$ |
| 2022-23 | VGK | 0.6 | 72 | 62 | 2.85 M$ |
Hockey IQ, 2025-26
Rankings and method →The quality of the player's decisions with and against the puck at 5-on-5, against regulars at the same position (50 = average). PAL measures output; IQ measures how the player plays.
Overall IQ
64/ 100
Average
better than 64% of defensemen, offense and defense combined
Offensive IQ
44/ 100
Average
passing, shots, puck
Defensive IQ
72/ 100
Very good
takeaways, discipline, own zone
Overall IQ isn't an average of the two scores: it's the player's rank with offense and defense combined, 80 of 225 defensemen.
See full detailsHide details
Offense
- Playmaking passes
- 17
- Shot selection
- 41
- Penalties drawn
- 74
- Puck management
- 49
Defense
- Takeaways
- 44
- Discipline
- 48
- Safe zone exits
- 94
Percentiles: 80 means better than 80% of regulars at the same position. Play without the puck (positioning, coverage) isn't measured: the NHL doesn't publish that data.
| Season | Team | IQ | Off. | Def. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | VGK | 64 | 44 | 72 |
| 2024-25 | VGK | 26 | 33 | 30 |
| 2023-24 | VGK | 65 | 40 | 78 |
| 2022-23 | VGK | 81 | 55 | 89 |
WAR, 2025-26
How it's calculated →Wins added to the team, compared with a replacement-level player called up from the AHL.
1.5
wins above replacement
0.8 to 1.9 — 90% interval
41 of 325 defensemen
+7.9 goals above replacement
Full leaderboard →See full detailsHide details
- EV offense
- -0.9
- EV defense
- +5.8
- Power play
- -0.0
- Penalty kill
- +0.7
- Shooting
- -0.0
- Penalties
- -0.3
- Average → replacement
- +2.7
In goals.
| Season | Team | GP | WAR | 90% interval | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | VGK | 64 | 1.5 | 0.8 to 1.9 | 41/325 |
| 2024-25 | VGK | 79 | 1.3 | 0.6 to 2.4 | 36/314 |
| 2023-24 | VGK | 82 | 0.9 | 0.0 to 2.0 | 56/316 |
| 2022-23 | VGK | 82 | 0.6 | -0.3 to 1.5 | 74/334 |
Player tracking (NHL EDGE)
League EDGE leaderboards →Speed, shot power, distance covered, time by zone: measured by chips in the puck and shoulder pads. 90th percentile = better than 90% of players.
- Hardest shot
- 143.9 km/h60th percentileleague avg. 139.7 km/h
- Top skating speed
- 31.9 km/h6th percentileleague avg. 34.0 km/h
- Bursts over 20 mph, season
- 00th percentileleague avg. 8
- Offensive zone time
- 42.1 %59th percentileleague avg. 42.4 %
See full detailsHide details
- Total distance, season
- 79.4 km75th percentileleague avg. 56.1 km
- Distance, single-game high
- 5.32 km63rd percentileleague avg. 4.98 km
- Offensive zone at 5v5
- 44.0 %80th percentileleague avg. 42.8 %
- Neutral zone time
- 19.3 %95th percentileleague avg. 16.9 %
- Defensive zone time
- 38.6 %74th percentileleague avg. 40.8 %
Shooting
| Shots on goal | Goals | Shooting % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All | 1970th percentile | 049th percentile | 0.0 %27th percentile |
| High danger | 051st percentile | 084th percentile | 0.0 %0th percentile |
| Mid range | 251st percentile | 073rd percentile | 0.0 %50th percentile |
| Long range | 1384th percentile | 077th percentile | 0.0 %67th percentile |
Shots on goal by zone
2026-2027 regular season. Measured by puck and player tracking chips; the percentile ranks the player within the league.
Game log, 2026-27
BUF
DET
PIT
BOS
NJD
OTT
CBJ
STL
TBL
CGY
NSH
MIN
LAK
TOR
SEA
VAN
ANA
CHIBrayden McNabb: frequently asked questions
How many goals does Brayden McNabb have in 2026-27?
Brayden McNabb has 0 goals and 8 points (8 assists) in 19 games in 2026-27.
How old is Brayden McNabb?
Brayden McNabb is 35 years old: he was born on January 21, 1991.
How tall is Brayden McNabb, and how much does he weigh?
Brayden McNabb is 6'4" (193 cm) and weighs 216 lb (98 kg).
Where is Brayden McNabb from?
Canada: Brayden McNabb was born in Davidson, Saskatchewan, Canada.
What team does Brayden McNabb play for?
Brayden McNabb plays for the Vegas Golden Knights in the NHL, at D, wearing number 3.
Is Brayden McNabb injured?
No: Brayden McNabb is not on the latest NHL injury report. This answer is updated throughout the season.
How good is Brayden McNabb?
Brayden McNabb produced 1.5 wins above replacement (WAR) in 2025-26, 41st of 325 players at his position in the NHL. His PAL rating is 92 out of 100: elite for his position.
How much does Brayden McNabb make?
Brayden McNabb earns $3.7M for the 2025-26 season. His Value Rating is 93 out of 100 (exceptional value): it measures the on-field return for that salary, compared with players at his position.
When does Brayden McNabb's contract end?
Brayden McNabb's contract runs through the 2027-28 season; he will then be an unrestricted free agent. It includes a NTC / M-NTC clause.
Is Brayden McNabb overpaid?
No, he gives more than he costs. His Value rating is 93 out of 100 (exceptional value), where 50 is the output expected for his salary, compared with players at his position.
Is Brayden McNabb a top-10 player at his position?
No: by WAR, he ranks 41st of 325 players at his position in the NHL in 2025-26. Our comparison tool puts him side by side with any other player.
Is Brayden McNabb getting better?
Yes: his PAL rating went from 83 in 2024-25 to 92 in 2025-26 (out of 100, 50 = average player at his position).
How has Brayden McNabb played lately?
Over his last 10 games, Brayden McNabb has 3 points (0 goals, 3 assists).
What are Brayden McNabb's career stats?
Over his NHL career, Brayden McNabb has 903 games, 38 goals, 161 assists and 199 points. His best season: 2023-24, with 26 points in 82 games.
Where was Brayden McNabb drafted?
Brayden McNabb was drafted 66th overall (round 3) by Buffalo Sabres in 2009.
Is Brayden McNabb better at home or on the road?
At home: in 2026-27, he averages 0.56 points per game at home (5 in 9 games) and 0.30 on the road (3 in 10 games).
How does Brayden McNabb perform in the playoffs?
In the playoffs, Brayden McNabb has 125 games and 36 points in his career. His pace (0.29 points per game) is similar to his regular-season pace (0.22).
Which player is most similar to Brayden McNabb?
Nick Seeler: he is the player at his position whose PAL profile (the 0-to-100 dimensions) is closest to his in 2025-26.
Nick Seeler's page →Is Brayden McNabb a good fantasy pick?
Probably not, except in deep leagues: our projection has him at 21 points in 2026-27, or 0.28 points per game.
Does Brayden McNabb have siblings?
Yes: his brother Dean McNabb (played for the Victoria Royals, Regina Pats and Winnipeg Ice of the WHL between 2017 and 2021).
Is Brayden McNabb married?
Yes, married to Lelanie since 2021.
What is Brayden McNabb's nationality?
Brayden McNabb is Canadian. Internationally: Played for Canada or Canadian junior selections: Canada West at the World U17 Hockey Challenge (2008); member of Team Canada at the 2009 IIHF World U18 Championships; gold medal at the 2008 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament.
What awards has Brayden McNabb won?
Selected to the AHL All-Star Classic (2013) ; Played in the CHL Top Prospects Game (2009) — three assists and +3 in the game.
How many championships has Brayden McNabb won?
1: Won the Stanley Cup with the Vegas Golden Knights (2023).
Where did Brayden McNabb play before turning pro?
Kootenay Ice (debut at the end of 2006–07 season; played in subsequent seasons; captain in 2010–11). Attended Athol Murray College of Notre Dame (prep school) in Wilcox, Saskatchewan..
How many points is Brayden McNabb projected to score in 2026-27?
Our projection has him at 21 points in 76 games in 2026-27 (11 to 30 points, 80% interval), based on his recent seasons, age and role.
See also: his Vegas Golden Knights teammates
Full roster →
NHL.com ↗ · Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)