Ranking The 15 Best NHL Players Aged 25 & Under (5-1)
Photo Cred: https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/28214052/nhl-awards-watch-connor-mcdavid-vs-leon-draisaitl-debate-continues
Tkalcevic:
Here's the final part of our three-part series where we take a look at the top fifteen best 25 and under players in the NHL. As we round out our list, who's in our top 5? Who do we think is the best 25 and under player in the NHL? Who do you think should've cracked the list that maybe didn't? Keep reading to find out who we have at the top of our list!
5. Auston Matthews (Center, Toronto Maple Leafs)
Like Draisaitl and Pastrnak, Auston Matthews is one of the best young goal scorers in the NHL. In his first year, he notched 40 goals. In his second and third year, he posted 34 and 37. That may seem like he decreased, but he was injured. In his second year, he only played 62 games and only played 68 games in his third year. This year, Matthews absolutely exploded piling up 47 goals in 70 games. He was set to break the Leafs all-time goals record but unfortunately, the season got cut short. Matthews is set to break the Leafs all-time goal record next season if he plays all 82 games and has Mitch Marner on his right-wing. Matthews, who seems poised to win multiple Rocket Richard's in his career, is developing a strong two-way game and could end up being the greatest Toronto Maple Leaf ever.
4. David Pastrnak (Right wing, Boston Bruins)
Since being drafted by the Bruins in 2014, Pastrnak has been a scoring machine. In his last 4 seasons including 2019-20, he's recorded at least 70 points. Ever since joining Marchand and Bergeron on the top line, Pasta has exploded. Pasta's slick skating ability and pure goal-scoring ability has led to a lot of success for him and the Bruins. He and the Bruins were one win away from winning the Stanley Cup last year and this year, he and Alex Ovechkin split the Rocket Richard Trophy for most goals in the NHL with 48 each. It's safe to say that David Pastrnak will have a ton of success in the NHL and it's just getting started.
3. Leon Draisaitl (Center/Wing, Edmonton Oilers)
Leon Draisaitl is the complementary star to Connor McDavid that every team needs. Leon's a big and strong forward who you don't wanna play against. He's notched at least 100 points in the past two seasons and could've hit 125 points if the season didn't pause. Draisaitl has a disgusting shot and he'll release it from anywhere on the ice. He and Connor McDavid on the powerplay are most likely the best duo in the NHL. McDavid's exceptional vision and playmaking ability allow him to find Leon easily and all Draisaitl has to do is shoot the puck on net and it's probably in. Draisaitl will be a tremendous player in years to come and will rack up many awards. Will the Stanley Cup ever be one of them? Only time will tell.
2. Nathan MacKinnon (Center, Colorado Avalanche)
Nathan MacKinnon is the second-best player in the NHL. Like McDavid, he’s able to dominate and completely take over a game at any point. His speed, playmaking ability, and determination with the puck have led to him being a tremendous player. Unlike McDavid, MacKinnon has a tremendous supporting cast around him to succeed. Although MacKinnon is one of the best players in the NHL, it has taken him a few years to get to that level. MacKinnon’s on such a good contract because he didn’t reach the 100 point mark right out of the gate as McDavid did. If MacKinnon did, he probably wouldn’t have the same supporting cast around him like Rantanen, Makar, etc. MacKinnon though is a tremendous player and will win many awards in his career.
1. Connor McDavid (Center, Edmonton Oilers)
Connor McDavid is by far the NHL’s best player. He’s miles ahead of the next best player and it’s not really close. At the age of 23, he’s already won the Hart Trophy, Ted Lindsay, and Art Ross Trophy. McDavid brings everything you’d want in a superstar. He’s a good leader, has boatloads of skill and can take over a game at any time. His dominance on the ice at such a young age has led to three 100 point seasons in the NHL and he would’ve had a fourth if the NHL wasn’t forced to stop their season. If the Oilers would surround him with some solid players to play with him, the Edmonton Oilers would be a bonafide Stanley Cup contender each and every season.
Honourable mentions:
Charlie McAvoy (Defense, Boston Bruins)
Cale Makar (Defense, Colorado Avalanche)
Bo Horvat (Center, Vancouver Canucks)
Dylan Larkin (Center, Detroit Red Wings)
Thomas Chabot (Defense, Ottawa Senators)
Alex Debrincat (Winger, Chicago Blackhawks)
Matthew Tkachuk (Left wing, Calgary Flames)
Carter Hart (Goalie, Philadelphia Flyers)
Miro Heiskanen (Defense, Dallas Stars)
Rasmus Dahlin (Defense, Buffalo Sabres)
Andrei Svechnikov (Right wing, Carolina Hurricanes)
Teuvo Teräväinen (Winger, Carolina Hurricanes)
Igor Shesterkin (Goalie, New York Rangers)
Tony DeAngelo (Defense, New York Rangers)
Adam Fox (Defense, New York Rangers)
For anyone whose read our list, we want to say thank you! This list took a long time to make and we thank each and everyone of you all for your continued support! Keep reading other articles on the site if you haven't already because there's some very intresting topics that we discuss!
~Luka Tkalcevic, Brandon Smith - BTH Writers
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