The NHL’s history is filled with legends and icons who have turned the game into what it is today. But with the retirements of greats such as Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemeiux, and Steve Yzerman, fans are left wondering who will carry the torch into the next generation of hockey.
Fortunately, there are plenty of young players who are already making a name for themselves in the league. These up-and-coming stars have already shown they have the talent, drive, and dedication necessary to succeed in the NHL and potentially become the next great hockey players in the league. In this article, we will take a look at some of these future legends and what they bring to the ice.
1. Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
Connor McDavid is without a doubt the most exciting young player in the game today. McDavid was the first overall selection in the 2015 NHL draft, and he quickly made a name for himself as a rookie in the 2015-16 season. He finished that year with 48 points in just 49 games, showing off his lightning-fast speed and incredible stickhandling skills.
Since that rookie season, McDavid has continued to dominate the NHL. He led the league in scoring in both the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons, winning the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s MVP both times. He has already amassed 585 points in just 426 NHL games, and at just 23 years old, he still has plenty of time to further cement his place in hockey history.
2. Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs
As the first overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, expectations were high for Auston Matthews. And he has not disappointed. Matthews lit up the league in his rookie season, scoring 40 goals and earning the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s best rookie.
Since then, Matthews has continued to be one of the NHL’s top scorers. He has 290 points in just 282 career games, and he is one of the best goal scorers in the game today. At 22 years old, Matthews has already established himself as one of the most important players on an up-and-coming Leafs team that could very well become a perennial contender in the years to come.
3. Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks
Elias Pettersson burst onto the NHL scene in 2018-19, taking home the Calder Trophy as the league’s best rookie. He finished the season with 66 points in 71 games, showing off his incredible skill and hockey IQ. Pettersson has continued to be an offensive force for the Canucks, with 140 points in 139 career games.
Pettersson may not be the biggest or fastest player on the ice, but his ability to create scoring chances out of seemingly nothing is something truly special. At just 22 years old, Pettersson looks poised to become a mainstay at the top of the NHL scoring charts for years to come.
4. Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche
While many of the players on this list are forwards, Cale Makar is one of the NHL’s best young defensemen. Makar was the fourth overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft and quickly made an impact with the Avalanche as a rookie in 2019-20.
Makar is known for his incredible skating ability and offensive instincts, making him a constant threat on the ice. In just 57 career games, Makar has tallied 53 points, and he looks like he’ll be an elite NHL defenseman for years to come.
5. Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks
Quinn Hughes is another young defenseman who is quickly making a name for himself in the NHL. Hughes was the seventh overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft and made his debut with the Canucks in 2019-20.
Hughes is known for his incredible skating ability and offensive prowess, much like Makar. In just 68 career games, Hughes has tallied 62 points, and he looks like he’ll be a cornerstone of the Canucks defense for years to come.
6. Kaapo Kakko, New York Rangers
Kaapo Kakko was the second overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft and quickly made an impact with the Rangers in his rookie season. While he struggled at times in his first year, Kakko showed flashes of the incredible talent and potential that made him such a highly-touted prospect.
Kakko has a unique blend of size, speed, and skill that could make him one of the NHL’s top forwards in the years to come. While it may take some time for him to fully develop into the player he can be, Kakko is still just 20 years old and has plenty of time to grow and improve.
7. Alexis Lafreniere, New York Rangers
Alexis Lafreniere was the first overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft and is expected to be one of the NHL’s top forwards in the years to come. Lafreniere has a unique blend of size, speed, and skill that could make him one of the NHL’s best players for years to come.
While Lafreniere has yet to make his NHL debut, he has already shown that he has the talent and drive necessary to succeed at the highest level. He dominated the QMJHL as a teenager, scoring 112 points in just 52 games during the 2019-20 season. With his combination of skill, speed, and determination, Lafreniere should be a force in the NHL for years to come.
Conclusion
While these seven players represent just a small sample of the NHL’s up-and-coming stars, they are all players who have already made an impact in the league and shown that they have the talent and drive necessary to become NHL legends. Whether it’s McDavid’s lightning-fast speed, Matthews’ scoring touch, Pettersson’s offensive flair, Makar’s skating ability, Hughes’ puck-moving skills, Kakko’s size and skill, or Lafreniere’s overall talent and potential, these players are all poised to make their mark on the NHL and take the league into the next generation of hockey.