25 Under 25: Ranking the Best Young NHL Players During the 2022-23 Season

Many of this season's top NHL stars are between the ages of 25 and 29. Among them are popular, well-established stars like the Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the Toronto Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, and the Tampa Bay Lightning's Nikita Kucherov.

A number of those stars are under the age of 25. Some, like Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, have already blossomed into superstars in their own right. Others, like Anaheim Ducks center Trevor Zegras and Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson, are rising up the ranks of the league's elite players.

Where do these young players sit among their peers within their age bracket this season? That's what we'll attempt to determine as we rank the best young players in 2022-23.

We've based our rankings on previous and current performance as well as their roles with their respective teams. This year's rookie class has been excluded because of their limited body of work. Players must be under 25 as of Dec. 31, 2022.

Did we miss anyone? Is there a player who doesn't belong here? Let us know in the comments section below.

After spending his first two NHL seasons adjusting to the big league pace, Noah Dobson enjoyed a breakout performance in 2021-22. The 6'4", 194-pound defenseman tallied a career-best 13 goals and 51 points to finish third among New York Islanders scorers.

The 12th overall pick in the 2018 NHL draft, Dobson's strong skating and puck-moving abilities have provided the Islanders with much-need offense from their blue line. Averaging 20:36 of time on ice per game, the 22-year-old is once again among the Isles' scoring leaders with 21 points in 32 games. He's on pace to reach the 50-point plateau again.

Signed through 2024-25, Dobson is quickly becoming an invaluable part of the Islanders' defense corps. Given his youth and skills, he could become the linchpin of their blueline by the time he's due for a new contract.

It's taken four full seasons for Martin Necas to reach his potential as an NHL scorer, but the 23-year-old winger has burst out in a big way in 2022-23. With 30 points in as many games, he's jockeying with teammates Andrei Svechnikov and Sebastian Aho for the top spot among Carolina Hurricanes scorers.

Blessed with strong skating and playmaking skills, the 6'2", 189-pound Necas was chosen 12th overall by the Hurricanes in the 2017 NHL draft. He seemed poised for a breakout performance following a 41-point performance in 53 games during the COVID-19-shortened 2020-21 campaign. However, he struggled the following season with 40 points in 78 games.

Playing with more confidence and determination this season, Necas has played his way onto the Hurricanes' top line. He's on pace to reach 80 points by the end of the season. His ongoing improvement bodes well for his future as a core player in Carolina.

Chosen ninth overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2016 draft, Mikhail Sergachev was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2017 for winger Jonathan Drouin. While Drouin's once-promising career has been hampered by injuries, Sergachev has become an increasingly important part of the Lightning's defense corps.

The 6'3", 217-pound Sergachev skates well for a big defenseman. Blessed with solid puck-handling skills and capable of logging big minutes, he netted 30-plus points in each of the last five seasons. His steady improvement as an all-around blueliner contributed to the Lightning winning the Stanley Cup in 2020 and 2021.

Now in his sixth full NHL campaign, Sergachev is second among Lightning skaters in ice time per game (23:43). He's also fourth in points with 27, putting him on pace to break his career best of 40 points. Signed to an eight-year contract extension in July, he could become the heir apparent for longtime Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman.

The St. Louis Blues could lose veteran stars Ryan O'Reilly and Vladimir Tarasenko to free agency next summer. However, the presence of young forwards like Robert Thomas should help to ease the potential transition. An adroit playmaking center with two-way abilities, the 23-year-old could become one of their new cornerstone players.

Chosen 20th overall by the Blues in the 2017 draft, Thomas' first two seasons were spent adjusting to the NHL level. His 2020-21 campaign was shortened by a broken thumb. The 6'0", 218-pounder's breakout performance was last season's 77-point performance, finishing second among Blues scorers.

Thomas was rewarded by the Blues on July 13 with an eight-year, $65 million contract extension. After a slow start, he's tied with Jordan Kyrou for the team scoring lead with 28 points in 30 games, putting him within reach of 75 points.

Only 30 games into 2022-23, Pierre-Luc Dubois is on pace for a career-best season. With 14 goals and 33 points, the 24-year-old Winnipeg Jets forward is already halfway toward matching his career best in goals (28) and points (61). He's currently third among the Jets scorers.

A big, versatile two-way forward who can play center or wing, the 6'2", 205-pound Dubois was originally chosen third overall in the 2016 draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets. He's gotten his career back on track after struggling to adjust following his trade by the Blue Jackets to the Jets early in the 2020-21 season.

Entering the prime of his playing career, Dubois could face an uncertain future in Winnipeg. He was among the Jets' few bright spots during a disappointing 2021-22 campaign. Opting for a one-year, $6 million contract in July, he'll become a restricted free agent again next summer but will be a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility.

It took four seasons before Jesper Bratt enjoyed his breakout NHL performance, netting a team-leading 73 points in 76 games last season for the New Jersey Devils. Signed to a one-year contract worth $5.5 million, the 24-year-old Swedish winger sits second among his teammates thus far with 30 points in 31 games.

Chosen by the Devils in the sixth round of the 2016 NHL draft, Bratt has proved to his team and the rest of the league that he's a serious scoring threat. A swift-skating winger with smart playmaking instincts, he's become a key component in the Devils' rise this season among the top teams in the league.

On pace to reach 80 points this season, Bratt is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights in July who'll also be a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility. Given his performance this season, the Devils could lock him up for a lucrative long-term contract

Blessed with blazing speed and impressive offensive skills, it took Jordan Kyrou some time to adjust to the NHL game. Chosen in the second round (35th overall) by the St. Louis Blues in the 2016 NHL draft, he spent his first two seasons split between the Blues and their AHL affiliate in San Antonio.

After a promising 35-point effort in 55 games during the shortened 2020-21 campaign, Kyrou enjoyed a breakout performance with 27 goals and 75 points in 74 games last season to finish fourth among Blues scorers. That effort earned the 6'1", 196-pounder an eight-year, $65 million contract extension.

Kyrou got off to a slow start to this season but now leads the Blues with 13 goals and 28 points. With veterans Ryan O'Reilly and Vladimir Tarasenko slated to become unrestricted free agents in July, Kyrou and linemate Robert Thomas could end up taking over as the new stars and leaders of the Blues.

Chosen 26th overall by the Stars in the 2017 NHL draft, Jake Oettinger had a promising NHL debut in 2020-21 with a record of 11 wins, eight losses and seven overtime losses and a 2.36 goals-against average. He took over the starter's job last season, sporting a record of 30-15-1 with a 2.53 GAA and a .914 save percentage.

The 6'5", 220-pound Oettinger served notice that he can elevate his game during the Stars' opening-round series against the Calgary Flames. Thanks to his stellar goaltending, the Stars pushed the Flames to the limit before falling in overtime of Game 7 by a score of 2-1. He finished with a GAA of 1.81 and a playoff-leading save percentage of .954.

That effort earned Oettinger a three-year contract with the Stars. The 24-year-old continues to play well between the pipes with a 12-4-3 record, a 2.42 GAA and .920 SP with two shutouts. He's among the reasons why the Stars are among the top teams in the Western Conference. A clutch performer, he could one day become a Vezina Trophy candidate.

The Montreal Canadiens lucked out when Cole Caufield remained available to them at 15th overall in the 2019 NHL draft. The 5'7", 174-pound left winger is quickly becoming one of the most dangerous goal scorers in the league.

Joining the Canadiens out of college late in the COVID-19-shortened 2020-21 season, Caufield netted four goals and five points in 10 games. He further proved himself as a promising scorer with 12 points in 20 playoff games during the Canadiens' run to the 2021 Stanley Cup Final.

Caufield struggled through the first half of 2021-22 until Martin St. Louis took over as head coach. He would finish with 23 goals and 43 points in 67 games. Now 21, the diminutive winger leads the Canadiens with 18 goals and sits second in points with 27. On pace to reach 40 goals, Caufield will be in line for a big raise coming off his entry-level contract.

Winner of the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2021-22, Moritz Seider had an impressive NHL debut. The 21-year-old defenseman led the Red Wings and all NHL rookies in ice time per game (23:02) and finished fourth among freshmen with 50 points.

Seider's performance justified the Red Wings' faith in the German rearguard when they chose him sixth overall in the 2019 draft. The 6'4", 204-pounder skates well for a player of his size. His puck-moving skills and big shot allow him to join the rush and contribute offensively, yet he also plays a responsible defensive game.

Now in his sophomore season, Seider has just 12 points in 30 games as teams put more focus on shutting him down. Nevertheless, he's still logging big minutes (22:45) and seeing plenty of action on the power play and penalty kill. Seider will continue to blossom into one of the league's top defensemen in the coming years.

Chosen third overall in the 2020 NHL draft, Tim Stützle has become an important part of the Ottawa Senators' rebuilding plans. The 6'0", 193-pound German is a versatile, highly skilled forward who can play center or wing.

Stützle quickly made the jump to the Senators in 2020-21, showing potential as a top-six forward with a respectable 29 points in 53 games. His potential to become a game-breaking star shone through in his sophomore campaign, finishing second among Senators scorers with 58 points in 79 games, including four game-winning goals.

Currently sidelined by a shoulder strain, Stützle still remains on pace to exceed last season's stats. With 10 goals and 27 points in 28 games, the 20-year-old could reach 30 goals and 70 points. Given his youth and considerable upside, it's little wonder the Senators signed him to an eight-year contract extension on Sept. 7.

The Arizona Coyotes' ongoing rebuild has overshadowed the development of Clayton Keller into a legitimate star. With a team-leading 29 points in as many games, the 24-year-old winger is on pace to reach a career-high 80 points.

Chosen seventh overall by the Coyotes in 2016, Keller was a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2017-18 with a career-best 65-point performance. His stats suffered over the following three seasons as the club engaged in a roster rebuild. He led the Coyotes last season with 63 points before suffering a season-ending leg injury.

Now in his sixth full NHL campaign, Keller is entering the prime of his playing career. While the Coyotes' rebuild and efforts to build a new arena in Tempe dominate the headlines, his performance provides hope for the future. He's signed through 2027-28 and should remain the struggling franchise's foundation player.

After spending nine seasons outside the NHL playoff picture, the Carolina Hurricanes have been a perennial postseason club since 2018-19. Andrei Svechnikov has been among the reasons for their steady development into one of the Eastern Conference's top teams.

Chosen second overall by the Hurricanes in the 2018 draft, Svechnikov made the jump directly to the NHL with 20 goals and 37 points in 2018-19. The 6'2", 195-pound Russian winger followed up with a 61-point sophomore campaign in 2019-20. Last season, he reached 30 goals for the first time and also had a career-best 69 points.

Often skating on the first line with center Sebastian Aho, the 22-year-old Svechnikov continues to develop his offensive abilities. With a team-leading 17 goals along with 29 points in 30 games, he could reach 40 goals and 80 points. Signed through 2028-29, this skillful winger remains an important part of the Hurricanes' future.

From replacing coaches and management midway through last season to questions over the futures of forwards J.T. Miller and Bo Horvat, the Vancouver Canucks have been a soap opera over the past two seasons. Lost in the hubbub is the development of Quinn Hughes as one of the league's best puck-moving defensemen.

Chosen seventh overall in the 2018 draft, Hughes is a highly skilled mobile rearguard. The 23-year-old has become the reliable cornerstone of the Canucks blue line. Since his full-time rookie season in 2019-20, he's sixth among all NHL defensemen with 188 total points and sits among this season's top 10 blueliners with 26 points.

The 5'10", 180-pound Hughes is among a growing number of smaller defensemen who use their speed and puck-handling skills to excel at both ends of the rink. Signed through 2026-27, he will remain a key piece of their future. However, they must surround him with a better cast of blueliners or risk wasting the prime years of his career.

A clever offensive center best known for his "Michigan" goal attempts, Trevor Zegras is already one of the most entertaining players in the NHL. The 21-year-old is also the foundation upon which the Anaheim Ducks hope to rebuild into a champion again one day.

Chosen ninth overall by the Ducks in the 2019 draft, Zegras adapted quickly to the NHL pace in his full debut season. He finished second among Ducks skaters and the league's rookie scorers with 61 points. His efforts made him a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy.

Skating alongside winger Troy Terry on the top line, Zegras is on pace to put up better numbers in his sophomore campaign. With 10 goals and 25 points in 32 games, he could be within range of 30 goals and 70 points by the end of 2022-23. He's in the final season of his entry-level contract and could be in line for a significant raise on a long-term deal.

Chosen fifth overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2017 NHL draft, Elias Pettersson made an impressive debut in 2018-19. A creative playmaker, the Swedish center tallied 66 points in 71 game to lead the Canucks in scoring, taking home the Calder Memorial Trophy for his efforts.

Pettersson was hampered by injuries during the following two seasons, which were also shortened by COVID-19. However, he acquitted himself well during the 2020 playoffs with 18 points in 17 games. He struggled through the first half of 2021-22 but finished with 68 points in 80 games. This season, the 24-year-old has a team-leading 34 points in 29 games.

Despite the injuries that hampered his performance, Pettersson has the skills to become a dominant NHL superstar. The 6'2", 176-pounder is signed through 2023-24 with an average annual value of $7.4 million. On pace to reach at least 80 points, his value to the retooling Canucks will only increase.

Captain of the rebuilding Ottawa Senators, Brady Tkachuk has grown into the role of leader and franchise player. With a team-leading 35 points in 30 games, the 6'4", 221-pound left wing is on pace to reach a career-high 35 goals and 85 points by the end of this season.

Son of former NHL star Keith Tkachuk and younger brother of the Florida Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk, Brady has emerged as a star in his own right. Chosen fourth overall by the Senators in the 2018 draft, he's steadily developed as an agitating power forward. After netting 44-plus points in his first two seasons, he netted 30 goals and 67 points in 79 games last season.

Now 23, Tkachuk has become the Senators' most reliable and durable offensive player. Since his 2018-19 debut, he is their leader with 103 total goals and 227 total points while racking up 410 PIMs. Signed to a seven-year contract in October 2021, Tkachuk's physical offensive style should continue to make him a critical factor in the Senators' future.

The first overall pick in the 2017 NHL draft, Nico Hischier's development into a star has been hampered by injuries. Nevertheless, the 23-year-old New Jersey Devils center continues to improve, becoming a key factor in his club's placement among the top teams in the league thus far this season.

A talented two-way player, the 6'1", 175-pound Hischier has 29 points in 30 games and sits third among Devils scorers. Despite his injury history, he's netted 47-plus points in three of the last five seasons, including a career-best 60 points in 2021-22. His leadership ability earned him the Devils' captaincy in February 2021.

Now in his sixth NHL campaign, Hischier is on pace to reach a career-high 80 points. His ability to play a complete game makes him an invaluable member of the Devils' roster core. Management was wise to sign him to a seven-year contract in October 2019.

The third overall pick in the 2017 NHL draft, Miro Heiskanen quickly became one of the Dallas Stars' top defensemen. His 33-point rookie campaign showed the young Finn had the poise and maturity to handle big league pressure.

Heiskanen's sophomore campaign saw him collect 35 points in 68 games. He went on to become the leading scorer among all 2020 playoff defensemen, finishing third among all postseason skaters with 26 points. On July 17, 2021, he signed an eight-year deal with the Stars.

Over the past three years, Heiskanen has steadily become the Stars' best all-around defenseman. He's among this season's league leaders in ice time per game (25:25) and sits in the top 10 among NHL blueliners with 25 points in 20 games. The 23-year-old could become a James Norris Memorial Trophy candidate in the near future.

Named the captain of the Montreal Canadiens on the eve of his fourth NHL season, Nick Suzuki has taken the lead role in the club's rebuilding process. Acquired as part of the return from the Vegas Golden Knights in the Max Pacioretty trade on Sep. 10, 2018, the 23-year-old center leads the Canadiens with 31 points in as many games.

Chosen 13th overall by the Golden Knights in 2017, Suzuki had a promising 41-point rookie performance with the Canadiens in 2019-20. Another 41-point effort in 56 games during the COVID-shortened 2020-21 campaign was followed by his team-leading 16-point performance during the Canadiens' run to the 2021 Stanley Cup Final.

Suzuki was among the few bright spots for the Canadiens in an otherwise miserable 2021-22 season, leading the club with a career-best 61 points. Skating alongside fellow young gun Cole Caufield, the young Habs captain is part of what could be a promising young foundation in Montreal. Signed through 2029-30, he will be an important piece in their long-term plans.

The first overall pick in the 2019 NHL draft, Jack Hughes spent his first two seasons adjusting to the NHL pace with the New Jersey Devils. Injuries limited him to 49 games in 2021-22, but he showed signs of potential stardom by finishing third among his teammates with 56 points.

Now 21 and healthy, Hughes is in the first season of an eight-year contract. He is also blossoming into the superstar he was projected to become when he was drafted. He leads the Devils with 16 goals and 36 points in 31 games, putting him within reach of 40 goals and 90 points by the end of this season.

The 5'11", 175-pound Hughes is another of the smaller, skilled offensive forwards who are starting to dominate the NHL. His ability to make dazzling offensive plays at high speed has played a big part in the Devils' rise among the league's top teams this season.

The Buffalo Sabres are off to a promising start to this season, sitting within range of a playoff berth with a league-leading 3.97 goals-per-game average. A big reason behind their improvement thus far is Rasmus Dahlin, who's emerged since last season as one of the NHL's best mobile defensemen. He will be in line for a big raise when his contract expires in 2024.

Chosen first overall by the Sabres in the 2018 NHL draft, Dahlin's promising 44-point performance in 2018-19 made him a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy. The 6'3", 202-pound blueliner struggled over the following two seasons as the Sabres floundered in the standings. However, he regained his form in 2021-22 with a 53-point performance.

A highly skilled, all-around defenseman who logs big minutes, Dahlin has taken his game to a higher level this season. With 37 points in 30 games, he's second among the Sabres and all NHL rearguards. The 22-year-old Swede is becoming a superstar and could be among this season's finalists for the James Norris Memorial Trophy.

In just his second NHL season, Adam Fox won the James Norris Memorial Trophy. He joined Hall of Famer Bobby Orr as the only two defensemen in league history to win that award during their sophomore seasons.

Acquired by the Rangers from the Carolina Hurricanes for two draft picks in 2019, Fox quickly became one of the NHL's elite all-around blueliners. A smooth-skating, gifted puck-mover, the 5'11," 182-pounder is part of a growing group of young, smaller rearguards using their speed and puck-handling skills to good effect on offense as well as in their own zone.

With 31 points in 32 games, the 24-year-old Fox is on pace to exceed last season's career-best 74-point performance. He's among the league leaders for defensemen in points and among the leaders in ice time, averaging 25:04 per game. Signed through 2028-29, he'll be the linchpin of the Rangers' blue line for at least the end of this decade.

A second-round pick (39th overall) by the Dallas Stars in the 2017 NHL draft, Jason Robertson made his full-time big league debut in 2020-21. He finished second among the Stars and NHL rookies with 45 points in 51 games, becoming a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy.

.Robertson's star rose higher during his sophomore campaign. He led the Stars with 41 goals and was second in points with 79 in 74 games. This season, the 23-year-old is among the league's top-five scorers with 23 goals and 46 points in 32 games and leads his club in both categories by a wide margin. At his current pace, he should reach 50 goals and 100 points.

The 6'3", 200-pound Robertson is a big, skillful offensive winger who has quickly established himself as the Stars' brightest scorer. Signed on Oct. 6 to a four-year contract, he should flourish as one of their most important core players.

Colorado Avalanche fans got a tantalizing preview of Cale Makar's potential during the 2019 playoffs. Making his NHL debut fresh out of college hockey, the fourth overall pick of the 2017 NHL draft proved himself in the heat of postseason play by netting six points in 10 games.

In his rookie campaign in 2019-20, Makar took home the Calder Memorial Trophy with 50 points in 57 games. He followed that up with 44 points in as many games during the shortened 2020-21 season to become a finalist for the James Norris Memorial Trophy.

Last season was Makar's best to date, netting a career-high 86 points in 77 games to win the Norris Trophy. He also took home the Conn Smythe Trophy leading the Avalanche to the Stanley Cup. This season, the 24-year-old Makar is performing at nearly a point-per-game clip with 28 points in 29 games to sit fifth among NHL defensemen.

Signed through 2026-27, Makar anchors the Avalanche blue line. Few players accomplish as much so early in a career as he has. The 5'11", 187-pounder is the template for smaller, mobile defensemen who can control the play with their puck-handling and skating at both ends of the rink. A genuine superstar, he is the NHL's top under-25 player.

Stats (as of Dec. 17, 2022) via NHL.com. Contract info via Cap Friendly.