It’s a great time to be a hockey fan, with the NHL undergoing one of its strongest youth movements in league history. There’s a whole new generation of elite talent and they’re quickly becoming the new face of the sport.
In the past, younger players would be nurtured and brought along slowly. Today, they arrive in the NHL ready to compete. Rookie skaters are expected to produce right away, while players in their early 20s are already carrying franchises and leading playoff contenders.
Looking around the current NHL landscape, the league is loaded with young talent ready to carry the game forward. From franchise forwards to dynamic defencemen, these players represent the future of hockey.
Here are your top 25 players under 25 in the NHL today.
25. Brock Faber, D, Wild
The Minnesota native has become a top-pairing defenceman for the Wild, displaying great positioning and awareness while playing in all situations, including the penalty kill and late-game scenarios.
24. Spencer Knight, G, Blackhawks
The only goalie in our top 25, Knight is highly athletic with quick reflexes and strong lateral movement. He’s a key part of Chicago’s rebuild and has the makings of a franchise goaltender.
23. Cole Perfetti, C, Jets
Known for his vision and ability to create scoring chances, Perfetti is a skilled playmaker for the Jets. He may be undersized, but he compensates with high hockey IQ.
22. Quinton Byfield, RW, Kings
Byfield is a prototypical power forward with excellent skating for his size. He gives the Kings a physical presence along the boards and knows how to finish at the net.
21. Cutter Gauthier, LW, Ducks
A power winger for the Ducks, Gauthier is known for his heavy shot and goal-scoring ability. He plays a physical, north-south style of hockey and attacks the net every chance he gets.
20. Thomas Harley, D, Stars
Harley’s a smooth-skating defenceman who can make the first pass and is dangerous when joining the rush. At 24, he’s already a key contributor on a Stanley Cup contender.
19. Juraj Slafkovsky, LW, Canadiens
A former No. 1 overall pick, Slafkovsky brings that rare combination of size, strength and skill. His point production continues to grow as he develops into a top-line winger for the Habs.
18. Matty Beniers, C, Kraken
Reliable defensively while still producing on the offensive end, Beniers is one of the game’s best, young two-way centres. He brings leadership and energy to Seattle’s developing roster.
17. Will Smith, C, Sharks
One of the most skilled, young forwards in the league, Smith thrives with the puck on his stick. Still just 20 years old, he’s a big part of San Jose’s future.
16. Logan Cooley, C, Mammoth
An elite skater with excellent puck control and the ability to drive play through the neutral zone, Cooley is a dynamic player and a cornerstone of Utah’s young core.
15. Trevor Zegras, C, Flyers
Zegras exploded onto the NHL scene before experiencing a dip in production over the past two seasons, but a trade to the Flyers has reignited the play of this high-end offensive talent.
14. Moritz Seider, D, Red Wings
As the 2022 Calder Trophy winner, Seider is a big, strong defenceman who plays with edge. He’s a skilled puck mover, logs heavy minutes and brings physicality to Detroit’s blue line.
13. Dylan Guenther, RW, Mammoth
Highly regarded for his quick release and dangerous shot, Guenther is a natural scorer with a knack for finding the soft spots in the offensive zone.
12. Jake Sanderson, D, Senators
Already the Senators’ No. 1 defenceman, Sanderson is a reliable two-way defender trusted in big minutes. An elite skater, he’s poised with the puck and contributes on both ends of the ice.
11. Lane Hutson, D, Canadiens
The reigning Rookie of the Year, Hutson is small in stature but highly elusive. With excellent edge work and skating agility, he’s one of the NHL’s most dynamic puck-moving defencemen.
10. Lucas Raymond, LW, Red Wings
One of Detroit’s top offensive weapons, Raymond is a highly intelligent winger who thrives in transition and can drive offence through speed and skill.
9. Seth Jarvis, C, Hurricanes
With sharp offensive instincts and composure on the back end, Jarvis is a premier two-way forward. He plays with pace and high energy, making him a perfect fit for Carolina’s pressure-heavy system.
8. Leo Carlsson, C, Ducks
A skilled forward who can skate and is strong on the puck, Carlsson checks all the boxes. He’s developing into Anaheim’s No. 1 centre and is a big part of this year’s turnaround.
7. Wyatt Johnston, C, Stars
A consistent contributor on offence, Johnston is quickly becoming a point-per-game player for the Stars. Smart and mature for his age, he stays composed and rarely makes mistakes.
6. Cole Caufield, RW, Canadiens
He may be one of the smallest players in the NHL, but Caufield is also one of the league’s deadliest snipers, with a deceptive release that beats goalies from distance.
5. Matt Boldy, LW, Wild
Boldy is a talented winger with puck skills that make him dangerous in tight spaces. A consistent goal scorer throughout his young career, he’s become an important piece for the Wild.
4. Tim Stutzle, C, Senators
Combining explosive speed with strong puck-handling, Stutzle is a dynamic offensive weapon who can attack defenders one-on-one and is at the centre of Ottawa’s promising young core.
3. Jack Hughes, C, Devils
Regularly producing at a point-per-game pace, Hughes drives New Jersey’s entire offence. Fresh off his golden goal at the Olympics, he remains one of the most electrifying young players in the NHL.
2. Connor Bedard, C, Blackhawks
Touted as the NHL’s next generational talent, Bedard continues to develop his game with the Blackhawks. With exceptional vision and a lightning-quick release, he’ll be scoring goals for years to come.
1. Macklin Celebrini, C, Sharks
He may not win this year’s Hart Trophy, but Celebrini is putting up eye-popping numbers for a teenager and has San Jose on the precipice of the playoffs.