As we eagerly await the start of the 2024-25 NHL season, let’s check out the high gamers within the league at every age together with some honorable mentions. For simplicity, I’ll use how outdated every participant is when the season begins on Oct. 8 to find out their age. What does that listing seem like?
18 Years Outdated: Macklin Celebrini, Ahead
The one choice from the 2024 NHL Draft who appears poised to debut within the league at 18 years of age is the primary choose of that class, Macklin Celebrini. Whereas taking part in for the rebuilding San Jose Sharks, there’s a path to a profitable season right here.
As a freshman, Celebrini gained the Hobey Baker Award for the highest participant within the Nationwide Collegiate Athletic Affiliation (NCAA), beating high prospects akin to Cutter Gauthier, Gabe Perreault, and Ryan Leonard in factors per recreation. Accountable in his personal zone, we may very well be taking a look at probably the greatest two-way forwards within the league sometime. How he instantly interprets to NHL hockey may very well be telling for what’s to return.
19 Years Outdated: Connor Bedard, Ahead
The Chicago Blackhawks had one of many worst information in latest reminiscence in 2023-24, however Connor Bedard introduced some pleasure nonetheless. His dynamic offensive expertise confirmed itself as he put up 61 factors in 68 video games en path to a Calder Trophy victory.
Associated: 2024-25 NHL Season Preview
The largest factor Bedard wants to deal with is his defensive play. Permitting 83 objectives at even power, that half wasn’t nice. Nonetheless, being a first-line heart on a rebuilding crew as a teen shouldn’t be one of the best scenario, so some defensive hiccups are assumed. He ought to take his recreation to the following stage in 2024-25.
Honorable Mentions: Matvei Michkov, Leo Carlsson
20 Years Outdated: Juraj Slafkovsky, Ahead
Juraj Slafkovsky stepped up in a giant means for the Montreal Canadiens in 2023-24. The previous first-overall choose scored 50 factors in 82 video games, placing up 35 of them within the second half of his season.
Slafkovsky began to emerge as an unstoppable offensive specimen later in his sophomore marketing campaign, utilizing his dimension to create a plethora of scoring probabilities in lots of cases. Following an underwhelming debut season in 2022-23, he has solely improved with time. A real breakout must be coming, and it may not be lengthy earlier than he joins the dialog of the NHL’s finest.
Honorable Mentions: Simon Nemec, Pavel Mintyukov
21 Years Outdated: Wyatt Johnston, Ahead
Wyatt Johnston was quietly probably the greatest younger gamers within the NHL final season, scoring 65 factors in 82 video games on the age of 20. He began to catch individuals’s eyes within the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, scoring 10 objectives and 16 factors in 19 contests—his excellence put him on the radar.
Johnston is a gifted ahead who excelled with considerably modest ice time given his capabilities. In 2024-25, he may burst onto the scene if his Dallas Stars put extra religion in him. They began to do this within the playoffs, which is an efficient signal of issues to return.
Honorable Mentions: Owen Energy, Matty Beniers
22 Years Outdated: Tim Stützle, Ahead
Whereas it wasn’t his finest displaying, Tim Stützle of the Ottawa Senators remains to be one of the best 22-year-old within the NHL. When 70 factors in 75 video games is taken into account a letdown at that age, we’re speaking a couple of particular participant.
Stützle has dynamic expertise that would someday enable him to be a famous person. He didn’t appear to be himself final season however his well being doubtless had one thing to do with that. No matter it was, there seems to be a 100-point upside right here sometime—he hit 90 on the age of 21.
Honorable Mentions: Jake Sanderson, Lucas Raymond
23 Years Outdated: Jack Hughes, Ahead
Already on our fourth first-overall choose, Jack Hughes is one other dynamic heart who dazzles on a nightly foundation. He had a tough go injury-wise final season taking part in simply 62 video games, however he had 74 factors nonetheless.
After ending with the NHL’s third-best file in 2022-23, the New Jersey Devils missed the playoffs partially due to the harm bug to their high participant. The following step in his profession is to go on a deep playoff run—his crew actually has the means to take action.
Honorable Mentions: Thomas Harley, Alex Vlasic
24 Years Outdated: Quinn Hughes, Defenseman
Quinn Hughes, Jack’s older brother, took his recreation to new heights in 2023-24 by successful the Norris Trophy. The previous is likely one of the league’s most dynamic defensemen, capable of patrol the offensive blue line and create copious quantities of offense. With some strong defensive numbers in addition, final season is perhaps the brand new norm.
The Vancouver Canucks’ captain was additionally spectacular within the playoffs. Nonetheless, he’s in the identical stage as his brother the place a deep run will likely be wanted to advance his legacy.
Honorable Mentions: Evan Bouchard, Rasmus Dahlin
25 Years Outdated: Cale Makar, Defenseman
Cale Makar is the NHL’s most proficient participant with the puck and is extra sound on protection than he will get credit score for. A Norris Trophy finalist in 4 consecutive seasons and the winner of the award in 2021-22, this 25-year-old has a Corridor of Fame trajectory.
Having gained a Stanley Cup and the Conn Smythe in 2022 with the Colorado Avalanche, there isn’t a lot else for Makar to do regardless of being so younger. Established as probably the greatest defenders of this technology, it’ll be enjoyable to see what marks he can attain when all is alleged and achieved.
Honorable Mentions: Miro Heiskanen, Jeremy Swayman
26 Years Outdated: Adam Fox, Defenseman
Adam Fox will not be as gifted athletically because the elder Hughes or Makar, however he has smarts that arguably haven’t been seen out of a defenseman since Nicklas Lidstrom. Processing the sport on the highest stage, that is unquestionably probably the greatest defenders within the sport.
Fox might be the NHL’s most well-rounded defenseman—the New York Rangers wouldn’t be full with out him. He gained the Norris Trophy in 2020-21 and has persistently been within the dialog since then.
Honorable Mentions: Matthew Tkachuk, Charlie McAvoy
27 Years Outdated: Connor McDavid, Ahead
The Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid has achieved every little thing there may be to do on this league apart from successful a Stanley Cup. He has been the winner of the Artwork Ross Trophy 5 instances, the Ted Lindsay Award 4 instances, the Hart Trophy 3 times, the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy as soon as, and the Conn Smythe Trophy as soon as. No one has touched his numbers within the twenty first century.
Whereas McDavid is already probably the greatest gamers in historical past with accolades rivaled by virtually nobody, he gained’t be put in the identical dialog because the defining faces of hockey like Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux till he wins a Stanley Cup. He got here one win away from doing so final season.
Honorable Mentions: Auston Matthews, Mikko Rantanen
28 Years Outdated: Igor Shesterkin, Goaltender
Igor Shesterkin’s three-season reign of terror between the pipes since 2021-22 places him above his 28-year-old competitors. Following the All-Star Break, there was no higher netminder within the sport—he had a .929 save share (SV%) and a pair of.20 goals-against common (GAA).
Whereas Shesterkin had a terrific playoff run, the Rangers finally got here up quick for him in Recreation 7 of the Japanese Convention Last in a 2-1 defeat. He has performed like a Stanley Cup-caliber goaltender, he simply wants the crew round him to place all of it collectively.
Honorable Mentions: Leon Draisaitl, David Pastrnak
29 Years Outdated: Nathan MacKinnon, Ahead
Nathan MacKinnon gained his first Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award final season for his world-class efficiency. Notching 140 factors and a 35-game home-ice level streak with the Avalanche, his 2023-24 marketing campaign was one to recollect.
MacKinnon is likely one of the finest athletes we’ve got ever seen within the NHL, possessing a few of the finest velocity within the sport but additionally dimension and power that makes him unimaginable to knock off of the puck. When he will get going, there isn’t any participant who can cease him.
Honorable Mentions: Aleksander Barkov, Juuse Saros
30 Years Outdated: Andrei Vasilevskiy, Goaltender
Andrei Vasilevskiy had his worst statistical season in 2023-24 following again surgical procedure, however that gained’t damage his rating. The 2-time Stanley Cup champion and four-time Vezina Trophy finalist is a generational expertise.
Merely put, Vasilevskiy can do issues that just about no goaltender can. He’s poised for a return to type for the Tampa Bay Lightning after an injury-riddled .900 SV% and a pair of.90 GAA.
Honorable Mentions: Devon Toews, Filip Forsberg
31 Years Outdated: Nikita Kucherov, Ahead
Don’t let McDavid’s historic 153-point displaying in 2022-23 take away from what Nikita Kucherov did final season. Turning into the primary winger to succeed in 100 assists in a single marketing campaign, he’s solely getting higher with age.
Kucherov made a somewhat unimpressive Lightning crew seem like contenders for a bit. They have been ousted in 5 video games by the Florida Panthers within the opening spherical of the postseason, but it surely was by no fault of the 144-point man. He’s the primary winger to win a number of Artwork Ross Trophies in a profession since Martin St. Louis (2003-04 and 2012-13), each doing so in Tampa Bay.
Honorable Mentions: Connor Hellebuyck, J.T. Miller
32 Years Outdated: Artemi Panarin, Ahead
Very like Kucherov, Artemi Panarin’s hockey IQ is off the charts. With 120 factors in 2023-24, he joined Gretzky (130), Phil Esposito (127), Marcel Dionne (126), and Jaromir Jagr (123) as the one gamers with at the least 120 single-season factors on the age of 32 or older. We’re watching defiance of the ageing curve.
Panarin is likely one of the NHL’s most distinctive passers, however he unlocked his scoring expertise with 49 objectives. If that sticks, it must be key in permitting him to win the primary Stanley Cup of his profession and the Rangers’ first since 1994.
Honorable Mentions: Zach Hyman, Mark Stone
33 Years Outdated: Victor Hedman, Defenseman
The Lightning appear to have the early 30s age vary down, seeing as that is their third participant from 30-33. Scoring 76 factors in 78 video games final season, Hedman is likely one of the most harmful defensemen within the NHL when he has the puck.
Hedman’s defensive numbers have gone from elite to subpar lately, however don’t let that distract you from his excellence. The six-time Norris Trophy finalist is already a Corridor of Fame participant.
Honorable Mentions: Ryan O’Reilly, Chris Kreider
34 Years Outdated: Roman Josi, Defenseman
Since turning 30 years outdated, Roman Josi has gained a Norris Trophy and completed second in voting twice. The Nashville Predators went all-in through the 2024 offseason by including Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Brady Skjei primarily due to how good the 34-year-old defender is.
Josi had 85 factors in 82 video games final season, proving he’s nonetheless one of many premier offensive defensemen within the league. He’s eyeing his first Stanley Cup.
Honorable Mentions: Erik Karlsson, Drew Doughty
35 Years Outdated: Patrick Kane, Ahead
Traditionally, hip resurfacing surgical procedure is devastating for a participant, particularly after they’re solely given a couple of months to get better like in Patrick Kane’s case. Not solely did he defy the percentages by taking part in properly, he had one among his finest seasons in a very long time.
With 47 factors in 50 video games with the Detroit Crimson Wings on 18:23 of common ice time, Kane had elite effectivity together with his lowest minutes since he was a rookie. He helped give the Crimson Wings an additional enhance for some time. He’s nonetheless one of the proficient gamers within the NHL.
Honorable Mentions: Ryan McDonagh, Frederik Andersen
36 Years Outdated: Sergei Bobrovsky, Goaltender
It appeared virtually assured even earlier than final season, however Sergei Bobrovsky’s 2024 Stanley Cup victory most actually makes him a Corridor of Fame netminder. With two Vezina Trophies and high-end play properly into his 30s, he must be the primary NHL goaltender to signify Russia in hockey’s model of immortality.
Solely Martin Brodeur, Tim Thomas, and Bobrovsky have gained each the Vezina Trophy greater than as soon as and a Stanley Cup within the twenty first century. Even when he’s making $10 million per season, the Panthers bought themselves one of many greats.
Honorable Mentions: Brad Marchand, Claude Giroux
37 Years Outdated: Sidney Crosby, Ahead
Sidney Crosby nonetheless being probably the greatest gamers within the NHL at 37 years outdated isn’t all that shocking. His hockey IQ is Gretzky-esque, and that’s not exaggerating.
Crosby’s 94 factors in 82 video games final season weren’t sufficient to assist his Pittsburgh Penguins clinch the playoffs, signaling the official finish of their dynasty now with back-to-back misses. They’re nonetheless a risk to make the postseason in 2024-25, however in all probability to not go very far. Sit up for Crosby’s particular person profession milestones, which embrace 1,300 video games performed (wants 28), 600 objectives (wants eight), and 1,600 factors (wants 4).
Honorable Mentions: Anže Kopitar, Kris Letang
38 Years Outdated: Evgeni Malkin, Ahead
Malkin’s prime typically will get ignored due to how good Crosby was, however the former was probably the greatest gamers on the planet at his finest. Whereas he’s not at that stage anymore, we’re nonetheless taking a look at a worthwhile top-six contributor.
Malkin had 67 factors in 82 video games final season. It was solely his fourth time not lacking any motion, so his sturdiness doesn’t appear to be a problem. The three-time Stanley Cup champion, two-time Artwork Ross Trophy winner, and one-time winner of the Hart Trophy, Ted Lindsay Award, and Conn Smythe Trophy is likely one of the finest Russian gamers in hockey historical past.
Honorable Mentions: Jonathan Fast, Blake Wheeler
39 Years Outdated: Alexander Ovechkin, Ahead
Alexander Ovechkin enters 2024-25 simply 42 objectives away from breaking Gretzky’s all-time file of 894. Ovechkin had 31 final season, so he might need to attend a bit to realize this mark, but it surely appears doubtless that he does.
The Washington Capitals aren’t a risk to win the Stanley Cup like they have been throughout Ovechkin’s prime however they need to be within the combine for the playoffs. The 39-year-old will likely be key for that to occur.
Honorable Mentions: Brent Burns, Ryan Suter
41 Years Outdated: Mark Giordano, Defenseman
As a result of retirement of gamers like Joe Pavelski and Zach Parise, there are not any 40-year-old gamers within the NHL. Skipping to 41, Mark Giordano remains to be the oldest participant within the league, not but selecting to retire. He scored 9 factors in 46 video games with the Toronto Maple Leafs final season.
Although he was restricted to third-pairing minutes, Giordano is likely one of the finest bottom-pairing defenders within the league regardless of his age. The 18-year veteran has a Norris Trophy to his title however his first Stanley Cup would in all probability be simply as particular.
First-overall picks and undrafted gamers make up 12 of the 23 names right here. The huge distinction in background with not a lot in between is actually attention-grabbing. Maybe that’s a development that can fade sooner or later.