As we eagerly await the start of the 2024-25 NHL season, let’s check out the highest 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 For simplicity, I’ll use how outdated every participant is when the season begins on Oct. 8 to find out their age.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 record appear 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18 Years Outdated: Macklin Celebrini, Ahead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 decide 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 received the Hobey Baker Award for the highest participant within the Nationwide Collegiate Athletic Affiliation (NCAA), beating high prospects similar to Cutter Gauthier, Gabe Perreault, and Ryan Leonard in factors per sport. Accountable in his personal zone, we might be the most effective two-way forwards within the league sometime. How he instantly interprets to NHL hockey might be telling for what’s to return.
19 Years Outdated: Connor Bedard, Ahead
The Chicago Blackhawks had one of many worst data in current 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 most important factor Bedard wants to handle is his defensive play. Permitting 83 targets at even power, that half wasn’t nice. Nevertheless, being a first-line middle on a rebuilding staff as a youngster will not be the very best scenario, so some defensive hiccups are assumed. He ought to take his sport to the following degree in 2024-25.
Honorable Mentions: Matvei Michkov, Leo Carlsson
20 Years Outdated: Juraj Slafkovsky, Ahead
Juraj Slafkovsky stepped up in an enormous manner for the Montreal Canadiens in 2023-24. The previous first-overall decide 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 possibilities in lots of situations. Following an underwhelming debut season in 2022-23, he has solely improved with time. A real breakout needs to 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 the most effective younger gamers within the NHL final season, scoring 65 factors in 82 video games on the age of 20. He began to catch folks’s eyes within the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, scoring 10 targets 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 try this within the playoffs, which is an effective 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 continues to be the very 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 few particular participant.
Stützle has dynamic expertise that might at some point enable him to be a celebrity. 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 decide, Jack Hughes is one other dynamic middle 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 report 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 staff 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 sport to new heights in 2023-24 by profitable the Norris Trophy. The previous is among the league’s most dynamic defensemen, capable of patrol the offensive blue line and create copious quantities of offense. With some stable defensive numbers besides, final season may be the brand new norm.
The Vancouver Canucks’ captain was additionally spectacular within the playoffs. Nevertheless, he’s in the identical stage as his brother the place a deep run shall 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 gifted 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 received 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 the most effective defenders of this technology, it’ll be enjoyable to see what marks he can attain when all is claimed and executed.
Honorable Mentions: Miro Heiskanen, Jeremy Swayman
26 Years Outdated: Adam Fox, Defenseman
Adam Fox is probably not 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 degree, that is unquestionably the most effective 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 received 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 executed all the pieces there’s to do on this league apart from profitable a Stanley Cup. He has been the winner of the Artwork Ross Trophy 5 instances, the Ted Lindsay Award 4 instances, the Hart Trophy thrice, 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 the most effective gamers in historical past with accolades rivaled by virtually nobody, he received’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 proportion (SV%) and a couple of.20 goals-against common (GAA).
Whereas Shesterkin had a terrific playoff run, the Rangers finally got here up brief for him in Sport 7 of the Jap Convention Ultimate in a 2-1 defeat. He has performed like a Stanley Cup-caliber goaltender, he simply wants the staff round him to place all of it collectively.
Honorable Mentions: Leon Draisaitl, David Pastrnak
29 Years Outdated: Nathan MacKinnon, Ahead
Nathan MacKinnon received 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 among the finest athletes we now have ever seen within the NHL, possessing a number of the finest velocity within the sport but additionally dimension and power that makes him unattainable 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 received’t harm 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 couple 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. Changing into the primary winger to achieve 100 assists in a single marketing campaign, he’s solely getting higher with age.
Kucherov made a somewhat unimpressive Lightning staff appear like contenders for a bit. They had been ousted in 5 video games by the Florida Panthers within the opening spherical of the postseason, however it 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 not less than 120 single-season factors on the age of 32 or older. We’re watching defiance of the growing old curve.
Panarin is among the NHL’s most distinctive passers, however he unlocked his scoring expertise with 49 targets. If that sticks, it needs to 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 among the most harmful defensemen within the NHL when he has the puck.
Hedman’s defensive numbers have gone from elite to subpar in recent times, 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 received a Norris Trophy and completed second in voting twice. The Nashville Predators went all-in in the course of 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 just a few months to recuperate like in Patrick Kane’s case. Not solely did he defy the chances by taking part in nicely, he had one in every of 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, he had elite effectivity together with his lowest minutes since he was a rookie. Kane continues to be one of the gifted 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 nicely into his 30s, he needs to be the primary NHL goaltender to characterize Russia in hockey’s model of immortality.
Solely Martin Brodeur, Tim Thomas, and Bobrovsky have received 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 obtained themselves one of many greats.
Honorable Mentions: Brad Marchand, Claude Giroux
37 Years Outdated: Sidney Crosby, Ahead
Sidney Crosby nonetheless being the most effective 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 menace to make the postseason in 2024-25, however most likely to not go very far. Stay up for Crosby’s particular person profession milestones, which embody 1,300 video games performed (wants 28), 600 targets (wants eight), and 1,600 factors (wants 4).
Honorable Mentions: Anže Kopitar, Kris Letang
38 Years Outdated: Evgeni Malkin, Ahead
Malkin’s prime usually will get ignored due to how good Crosby was, however the former was the most effective gamers on this planet at his finest. Whereas he’s not at that degree anymore, the Penguins are nonetheless 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 difficulty. 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 among 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 targets away from breaking Gretzky’s all-time report of 894. Ovechkin had 31 final season, so he may need to attend a bit to attain this mark, however it appears doubtless that he does.
The Washington Capitals aren’t a menace to win the Stanley Cup like they had been throughout Ovechkin’s prime however they need to be within the combine for the playoffs. The 39-year-old shall 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 continues 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 among the finest bottom-pairing defenders within the league regardless of his age. The 18-year veteran has a Norris Trophy to his identify however his first Stanley Cup would most likely 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 pattern that can fade sooner or later.
