Ranking the Best 25 NHL Players 25 and Under During the 2025-26 Season
Every NHL season sees new players begin what they hope will be long and productive careers. Since 2020, the league has seen youngsters such as Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard and New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes emerging as superstars in their own right.
Bedard and Celebrini are among a group of players under the age of 25 who are challenging more established stars for a place among the league's elite talent. Where they sit among their peers in the age group this season is what we'll attempt to determine.
This ranking is based on previous and current performances, and the player's role with their respective team. All players must be under 25 as of Dec. 31, 2025.
We've excluded this season's rookie class due to their limited body of work. However, it won't be long until NHL freshmen such as New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Shaefer and Montreal Canadiens winger Ivan Demidov are part of a future ranking.
Honorable Mention
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Jackson Blake, Carolina Hurricanes
A fourth-round pick in 2021, the 22-year-old Blake netted 17 goals and 34 points in 80 games as a rookie last season. That earned him an eight-year contract extension. A quick, competitive winger, he has 24 points in 39 games thus far this season.
Brandt Clarke, Los Angeles Kings
Chosen eighth overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, Clarke showed his promise as a top-four defenseman in 2024-25 with 33 points in 78 games and a plus/minus of plus-13. The 22-year-old now holds that role on a full-time basis, with 18 points in 37 games.
Simon Edvinsson, Detroit Red Wings
Making his full NHL debut last season, Edvinsson quickly fitted in well alongside Moritz Seider on the Red Wings' first defense pairing. Chosen sixth overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, the 22-year-old blueliner had 31 points in 78 games last season.
Anton Lundell, Florida Panthers
Lundell is nicknamed "Baby Barkov" because he plays a two-way role similar to team captain Aleksander Barkov. A first-round pick (12th overall) in 2020, the 24-year-old center is now in his fifth NHL season. He played a key role in helping the Panthers win back-to-back Stanley Cup titles.
Mason McTavish, Anaheim Ducks
The third-overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, McTavish has tallied 42 or more points in each of the last three seasons. A versatile forward, the 23-year-old has solidified his grip on the Ducks' second-line center position.
Matvei Michkov, Philadelphia Flyers
An electrifying winger with impressive scoring skills, Michkov was taken seventh overall by the Flyers in the 2023 NHL Draft. The 21-year-old finished second among rookie scorers with 63 points, but is struggling in his sophomore season. Nevertheless, he remains a future scoring star.
Frank Nazar, Chicago Blackhawks
Called up midway through last season, Nazar earned a full-time roster spot with 12 goals and 26 points in 53 games. An undersized but highly-skilled center, he was Chicago's 13th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. With 21 points in 33 games before being sidelined by a recent injury, he's taken on a larger role with his team.
Juraj Slafkovský, Montreal Canadiens
The first-overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, Slafkovský had two 50-plus point performances over the past two seasons on the Canadiens' first line. Now 21, the big right winger has taken on a play-driving role on their second line as he continues to adapt toward becoming a more complete player.
Dustin Wolf, Calgary Flames
A seventh-round pick (214th overall), Wolf's first full NHL campaign was a memorable one. He finished last season with a record of 29 wins, 16 losses, and 8 overtime losses, with a 2.64 goals against average, a .910 save percentage, and three shutouts. That made the 24-year-old goalie a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy.
Trevor Zegras, Philadelphia Flyers
A finalist for the Calder Trophy with the Anaheim Ducks in 2021-22, Zegras struggled through injuries and inconsistent play during the last two seasons. Traded to the Flyers in June, the 24-year-old forward has regained his scoring touch, leading the club with 39 points in 38 games.
25. Will Smith, San Jose Sharks
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The San Jose Sharks chose Will Smith with the fourth-overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. A versatile forward who can play center or right wing, he and Macklin Celebrini made their NHL debuts last season.
Celebrini garnered the most attention, but it was apparent that Smith had the potential to become a star. A creative playmaker with good hockey sense, he finished fourth among Sharks scorers last season with 45 points in 74 games despite being moved around the lineup.
The 20-year-old Smith got off to a strong start to this season with 29 points in 33 games before injuring his right arm on Dec. 13 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He remains second among the Sharks' scorers and should continue his promising improvement once he returns to action.
24. Spencer Knight, Chicago Blackhawks
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A first-round pick (13th overall) by the Florida Panthers, Spencer Knight spent almost four seasons in Sunrise. His promising goaltending career was put on hold in February 2023, when he entered the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program seeking treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Knight resumed his career with Florida's AHL affiliate in 2023-24, returning to the Panthers' lineup in 2024-25. With Sergei Bobrovsky entrenched as their starting goalie, he was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks last March and signed a three-year contract extension in September.
The move has given the 24-year-old Knight the chance to be a full-time starter. He's performed well for his rebuilding new club, with a record of 10-11-5, a 2.62 goals-against average, and a .910 save percentage. Knight is poised to become part of the next generation of elite NHL goalies.
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23. William Eklund, San Jose Sharks
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Forwards Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith garnered most of the attention among the San Jose Sharks' promising young players. However, it can be argued that the San Jose Sharks' rebuild began with their selection of William Eklund with the seventh overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft.
An undersized forward with strong offensive skills and hockey sense, Eklund tallied 45 points in 80 games during his first full season with the Sharks in 2023-24, finishing second in scoring. He was second again last season with a 58-point performance, including a team-leading 41 assists.
A lower-body injury hampered Eklund through November, but he has 25 points in 35 games thus far this season. He will continue to play an important role as a top-six winger for the Sharks as they attempt to emerge from their rebuild into a playoff contender.
22. Matthew Knies, Toronto Maple Leafs
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From 2018-19 to 2024-25, the Toronto Maple Leafs were led offensively by forwards Auston Matthews, William Nylander, John Tavares, and Mitch Marner. After Marner departed for the Vegas Golden Knights, Matthew Knies became the newest member of their "Core Four".
A second-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, Knies has emerged as a power forward for the Maple Leafs. The 6'3", 232-pound left wing netted 15 goals and 35 points in 80 games during his 2023-24 rookie season, followed by a 29-goal, 58-point sophomore performance in 78 games last season.
Knies uses his size and reach as a power forward to win puck battles and generate offense. The 23-year-old winger currently sits third among Leafs scorers with 35 points in 36 games, on pace to reach 80 points for the first time. On June 29, he signed a six-year contract worth an average annual value of $7.8 million.
21. Dylan Guenther, Utah Mammoth
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The ninth overall by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2021 Draft, Dylan Guenther spent his first two NHL seasons split between the Coyotes, their AHL affiliate, and the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds. Following the club's move to Utah, he had a breakout performance in 2024-25, finishing fourth among Mammoth scorers with 60 points.
A competitive, hard-working winger, the 22-year-old Guenther has carried over last season's promising performance into the 2025-26 campaign. Skating on the second line, his aggressive play and accurate shot have him leading the Mammoth with 17 goals and sitting third in points with 32 in 40 games.
Guenther is on pace for a career-best 30 goals and 65 points this season. He's also proving to be a clutch scorer for the Mammoth, leading them last season with nine game-winning goals. He's currently their leader in that category with five.
20. Cutter Gauthier, Anaheim Ducks
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Cutter Gauthier was chosen fifth overall in the 2022 NHL Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers. However, his unwillingness to play for them forced the Flyers to trade him to the Anaheim Ducks on Jan. 10, 2024.
A big forward with strong skating ability and a powerful shot, the 6'2", 205-pound Gauthier tallied 20 goals and 44 points during his rookie campaign of 2024-25. It was a promising sign of better things to come for the talented left winger.
The 21-year-old Gauthier is having an impressive sophomore campaign, sitting second to Leo Carlsson among Ducks scorers with 38 points in 39 games. He and Carlsson are giving the Ducks a potent one-two scoring punch comparable to former Ducks stars Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry.
19. Logan Cooley, Utah Mammoth
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It didn't take Logan Cooley long to establish himself as the Utah Mammoth's top center. Following a respectable 20-goal, 44-point rookie season in 2023-24 during the club's final season in Arizona, Cooley followed up with 25 goals and 60 points 75 games during the Mammoth's first season in Salt Lake City.
Chosen third overall in the 2022 NHL Draft, Cooley's speed, skill, and creative play had him projected to become a first-line center. The 6'0, 191-pounder finished second in scoring last season with the Mammoth. Only 21, he's on pace to become one of their biggest stars.
Mammoth management never doubted Cooley's value, signing him to an eight-year, $80 million contract extension on Oct. 29. He had 14 goals and 23 points in 29 games until he was sidelined indefinitely by a lower-body injury. The Mammoth feels his absence as they struggle to remain in the playoff race.
18. Quinton Byfield, Los Angeles Kings
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The Los Angeles Kings chose Quinton Byfield with the second-overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft. They were intrigued by the 6'5", 230-pounder size, speed and all-around skill, envisioning him as the heir apparent for long-time first-line center Anze Kopitar.
Byfield has seen duty as a center and a right winger. In 2023-24, he stepped up his game with a 20-goal, 55-point performance. He followed that up with 23 goals and 54 points last season.
The 23-year-old Byfield is now in his sixth NHL campaign and has taken over the second-line center role on the Kings. He's been among their leading scorers since 2023-24 and still has time to reach his full potential.
17. Adam Fantilli, Columbus Blue Jackets
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A need for skilled depth at center led the Columbus Blue Jackets to select Adam Fantilli with the third-overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. Now in his third season, the 21-year-old has established himself as the Blue Jackets' first-line center.
Following an injury-shortened rookie campaign in 2023-24, Fantilli proved himself last season when he replaced injured veteran Sean Monahan on the Blue Jackets' top line. He finished the season tied for first in goals (31) with Kirill Marchenko among the Jackets' scorers and fifth in points with 54.
At 6'2" and 205 pounds, Fantilli uses his size well to win puck battles at both ends of the ice. He possesses a terrific shot and has good playmaking ability. Currently sitting fourth among the Jackets with 25 points in 38 games, Fantilli has the skills to blossom into an elite two-way center.
16. Luke Hughes, New Jersey Devils
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It hasn't taken long for Luke Hughes to become one of the New Jersey Devils' core players. On Oct. 1, the 22-year-old defenseman signed a seven-year contract worth an average annual value of $9 million, making him one of their highest-paid players, including his older brother, center Jack Hughes.
The fourth-overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, Hughes' 47-point performance in 82 games during his 2023-24 rookie season made him a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy. He followed that up with a 44-point sophomore effort last season, finishing fifth among Devils scorers in both seasons.
Hughes is an impressive skater with strong offensive skills, especially on the power play. Since his rookie season, he's been among their leaders in takeaways. It's only a matter of time before he takes over as their top defenseman.
15. Leo Carlsson, Anaheim Ducks
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After seven seasons of failing to reach the playoffs, the Anaheim Ducks are jockeying for first place in the Pacific Division. One reason is the play of Leo Carlsson, who has emerged as a scoring star in his third NHL season.
Chosen second overall in the 2023 NHL Draft, Carlsson had 29 points in 55 games during his 2023-24 rookie campaign. His sophomore season was even better, finishing with 20 goals and 45 points in 76 games. This season, he's their leading scorer with 42 points in 38 games.
A highly-skilled playmaker, the 21-year-old Carlsson is handling the first-line center duties. On pace to exceed 85 points, the talented youngster still hasn't reached his full potential. He's a future superstar whose best seasons lay ahead of him.
14. Seth Jarvis, Carolina Hurricanes
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Now in his fifth NHL season, Seth Jarvis has become entrenched among the Carolina Hurricanes' core players. A versatile forward who can play center or wing, he was chosen 13th overall in the 2020 because of his offensive stats in junior hockey, but it's his two-way play that's made him a standout for the Hurricanes.
Jarvis has steadily improved since joining the Hurricanes in 2021-22. Coming off back-to-back 67-point performances, the 23-year-old forward leads his club thus far this season with 19 goals and is third in points with 29 in 34 games.
Since 2021-22, Jarvis sits second in goals among Carolina scorers with 114 and third with 251 points. His two-way skills have made him a scoring threat on the penalty kill, leading the Hurricanes with 10 shorthanded goals.
13. Brock Faber, Minnesota Wild
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A second-round pick of the Minnesota Wild in the 2020 NHL Draft, Brock Faber played his first full season in 2023-24. He logged an impressive 24:58 of ice time per game, netting 47 points in 82 games. That performance made him a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy.
The Wild wasted no time signing Faber to an eight-year extension worth an average annual value of $8.5 million in July 2024. His production dropped to 29 points in 78 games last season, but he remains a solid, all-around defenseman who can play big minutes alongside any blue-line partner.
When the Wild acquired Quinn Hughes on Dec. 12 from the Vancouver Canucks, they put him with Faber on their top defense pairing. They already appear to have established a strong chemistry, making them one of the best blue-line duos in the league.
12. Cole Caufield, Montréal Canadiens
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Making his debut during the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season, Cole Caufield wasted little time making a positive impression with the Montréal Canadiens. He finished third among their postseason scorers with 12 points in 20 games during the Canadiens' underdog run to the 2021 Stanley Cup Final.
Chosen 15th overall in the 2019 NHL Draft, Caufield has become a core player for the rebuilding Canadiens. The 5'8", 175-pound winger has tallied 23 or more goals in each of the last four seasons, including a career-best 37 in 2024-25. He has a deadly accurate shot along with solid offensive instincts.
Despite his small size, Caufield has established himself as a reliable scoring forward with 40-goal potential. Since 2021-22, the 24-year-old clutch scorer leads the Canadiens with 133 total goals, 98 even-strength goals, and 26 game winners.
11. Thomas Harley, Dallas Stars
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Chosen in the first round (18th overall) in the 2019 NHL Draft, Thomas Harley spent his first two NHL seasons split between the Dallas Stars and their AHL affiliate. However, the young defenseman came into his own in 2023-24, scoring 15 goals and 32 assists for 47 points.
Harley followed that up with 16 goals and 34 assists for 50 points last season, leading all Stars defensemen and sitting fifth among their scoring leaders. He was second in time on ice per game (23:23), third in blocked shots (110), and tied for second in takeaways (29) with Esa Lindell.
The 6'3", 215-pound Harley has proven himself as a big-minute, highly-skilled top-four defenseman. Management is convinced of his upside, signing the 24-year-old blueliner to an eight-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $10.6 million.
10. Lucas Raymond, Detroit Red Wings
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After nine seasons outside the playoff picture, the Detroit Red Wings are pushing to end that drought in 2025-26. Lucas Raymond is among the young players who will be expected to lead them to their first postseason since 2016.
The fourth-overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, Raymond has steadily developed into a scoring star for the Red Wings. He tallied a career-best 31 goals along with 72 points in 2023-24, followed by a career-best 80 points last season, leading the Wings in scoring both seasons.
Now 23 and in his fifth NHL campaign, Raymond has 42 points in 38 games, putting him within reach of becoming the first Red Wing to reach 90 points since Hall of Famer Pavel Datsyuk in 2008-09. He's left no doubt that he has fully emerged as an offensive leader and a valuable core player.
9. Lane Hutson, Montréal Canadiens
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Defenseman Lane Hutson made an impressive NHL debut last season with the Montréal Canadiens. Despite his 5'9", 162-pound frame, he led all rookies with 66 points in 82 games, becoming the first Canadiens player to win the Calder Memorial Trophy since Ken Dryden in 1971-72.
A quick-skating blueliner with dazzling puckhandling skills and superb on-ice vision, Hutson finished third among Canadiens scorers in 2024-25 and led them with 56 takeaways. The 21-year-old shows no sign of a sophomore slump this season, sitting third among their scoring leaders with 38 points in 39 games.
Hutson is part of a rising wave of small but talented defensemen whose offensive skills are well-suited for today's faster-paced NHL game. The Canadiens know that they have a future superstar, signing him on Oct. 13 to an eight-year contract extension. He'll be a key piece of this promising young team for a long time.
8. Jake Sanderson, Ottawa Senators
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The Ottawa Senators entered the 2020 NHL Draft with the third and fifth overall picks. They chose center Tim Stützle first, followed by defenseman Jake Sanderson two picks later. Stützle garned immediate attention with his offensive skills, but it didn't take long for Sanderson to emerge as a star in his own right.
Sanderson had a solid rookie debut with 32 points in 77 games in 2022-23. He followed that with 10 goals and 38 points in 2023-24, and 11 goals and 57 points in 2024-25. This season, the 23-year-old blueliner has eight goals and 27 points in 38 games, putting him on pace for 18 goals and 55 points.
The 6'2", 202-pound Sanderson is a terrific all-around defenseman and the linchpin of the Senators' blue line. He logs a team-leading 25:08 of ice time per game, seeing plenty of action in all situations. Last season, he led them in blocked shots (163) and takeaways (53).
7. Wyatt Johnston, Dallas Stars
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In just four NHL seasons, Wyatt Johnston has become an invaluable core player for the Dallas Stars. Chosen in the first round (23rd overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft, the 22-year-old center has made steady improvement, becoming their first-line center.
Since his 2022-23 NHL debut, Johnston sits second among Stars scorers with 109 goals and third in points with 222. This season, he has 45 points in 39 games, putting him on pace to finish with over 90 points for the first time.
The Stars recognized Johnston's value, signing him in March to a five-year contract with an average annual value of $8.4 million. Skating alongside scoring star Mikko Rantanen, Johnston will remain a key part of the Stars' offense as they maintain their place among the Stanley Cup contenders.
6. Moritz Seider, Detroit Red Wings
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The Detroit Red Wings surprised observers by selecting Moritz Seider with the sixth-overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. Three years later, their faith was rewarded when the young defenseman was the 2021-22 winner of the Calder Memorial Trophy as Rookie of the Year.
Since then, Seider has become the Red Wings' top defenseman, netting 42 or more points in each of his first four NHL seasons. The 6'2", 210-pounder has developed into a reliable, all-around blueliner who now averages over 25 minutes of ice time per game. He led the Wings last season with 212 hits and 181 blocked shots.
Now 24, Seider is in the second season of a seven-year contract with an average annual value of $8.6 million. Paired with 22-year-old Simon Edvinsson, this young duo should be the backbone of the Red Wings' defense corps for many years.
5. Matt Boldy, Minnesota Wild
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A versatile forward who can play either wing, Matt Boldy is among the top offensive stars on the Minnesota Wild. Chosen 12th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, the 24-year-old winger is second only to franchise superstar Kirill Kaprizov among the Wild's top players.
Making his NHL debut in 2021-22, Boldy sits second among Wild scorers with 127 goals and 291 points in 325 games. He has outstanding all-around ability and vision, along with a high hockey IQ. His production has steadily increased with each season, reaching a career-high 73 points in 2024-25.
Boldy is currently producing at over a point per game (47 points in 40 games) and should continue to improve as he reaches his prime years. He will be an important piece of the Wild's future in their quest to bring the Stanley Cup to The State of Hockey.
4. Tim Stützle, Ottawa Senators
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The Ottawa Senators chose Tim Stützle with the third-overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft. He joined them for the 2020-21 season and wasted little time establishing himself as a roster regular. Now 23, the German center is the Senators' most skillful offensive star.
An explosive skater with exceptional playmaking skills and a deadly accurate shot, Stützle has been the Senators' most reliable offensive forward since his 2021-22 sophomore campaign. During that period, he's led the Senators with 233 assists and 367 points in 405 games.
Over the past four seasons, Stützle has led the Senators in scoring twice and finished second twice. He had a career-best 39 goals and 90 points in 2022-23 and has the talent to reach those totals again. The young center will be expected to play an important role in the Senators' hopes for Stanley Cup contention.
3. Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils
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At 24 years old, Jack Hughes is already in his seventh season with the New Jersey Devils. The swift-skating center can create breathtaking plays at a high rate of speed that few others can match. Since his debut in 2019-20, he has led the Devils with 152 goals and points per game percentage (0.96).
Injuries, however, have hampered Hughes' production since 2021-22. When healthy, he has the offensive skills to reach 100 points per season. In 78 games during the 2022-23 campaign, he set the single-season franchise record with 99 points.
Hughes followed that with back-to-back seasons with 70 or more points in 62 games each. He also missed 18 games this season with an injured finger. He's the Devils' most talented player, but his injury history has prevented him from ranking higher on this list.
2. Macklin Celebrini, San Jose Sharks
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The San Jose Sharks chose Macklin Celebrini with the first overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. Projected to become their franchise player, the gifted young center has so far met all expectations for this rebuilding young team, putting them on an accelerated path toward playoff contention.
Despite missing 12 games last season, Celebrini led the Sharks in scoring and finished third among all rookies with 63 points, becoming a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy. The 19-year-old sophomore has taken a huge step forward this season, sitting among the league's top-five scorers with 60 points in 39 games.
Celebrini entered the league considered mature beyond his years, possessing a high hockey IQ, tremendous two-way skills, and a reputation for performing well under pressure. So far, he's played up to the hype, bringing excitement back to the Shark Tank.
1. Connor Bedard, Chicago Blackhawks
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Chosen first overall by Chicago in the 2023 NHL Draft, Connor Bedard was considered the foundation player for their rebuilding roster. He didn't disappoint in the 2023-24 debut, leading his club and all rookies with 61 points despite missing 14 games with a fractured jaw, taking home the Calder Memorial Trophy.
Bedard led Chicago in scoring last season with 67 points in 82 games, but struggled at times through that sophomore campaign. After fine-tuning his game and improving his shot release during the summer, the 20-year-old center was among this season's top-five scorers (44 points in 31 games) until sidelined by a shoulder injury.
An elite offensive player, Bedard has taken his game to a higher level this season, accelerating Chicago's rebuild. In his third NHL season, he has established himself as a franchise player and a rising superstar. His brilliant stick-handling, lethal shot accuracy, and impressive hockey smarts make him the top player in this ranking.
Stats (as of Dec. 31, 2025) and award info via NHL.com and Hockey-Reference.com. Contract info via PuckPedia.
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