A Breakdown/Ranking of Some of the NHL’s Brightest Young Talent

Note*. All on-ice metrics (ie: xGF%, xGA%, CF%, etc.) are sourced from evolving-hockey.com, and presented at five-on-five.

If you’ve watched a hockey game over the past couple seasons, you probably noticed the league marketing its players as “The Next Golden Era” through some pretty creative advertisements. And they’re not wrong. The NHL is in an incredible position with the wave of young talent that’s taking over the league, just look at the current scoring leaders, it’s filled with guys who were playing junior hockey just a few years ago. So I thought it seemed like a perfect time to highlight the next wave of NHL stars by ranking it’s top under 23 talent.

Before we get into the top 20, there’s a few extra players who just missed the cut that I wanted to show some love.

Honourable Mentions

1. Brandt Clarke

I originally had Clarke within my top twenty U23 skaters, but after some deeper consideration I thought there were other players who deserved it more. With that said, I still think Clarke has some serious upside and I think it’s only fair that I highlight some of that here. The main concern with Clarke right now is his deployment, he’s been very productive this season (registering two goals and seven points in thirteen games) and his on-ice metrics are some of the best in his age group, but he’s doing so with limited minutes and playing against weaker competition. If Clarke was a freshly drafted 19 year old Dman putting up these results I’d probably have a different view of him, but he’ll be 23 in February, and I’m becoming slightly less confident that he’s going to take that next step towards being a top pairing guy. 

2. Zayne Parekh

I’ve been extremely high on Parekh since before he was drafted, so it killed me to leave him off the top twenty. Ultimately, he just hasn’t been given the opportunity this season to showcase what he can do but this is a player that I’m still incredibly high on, and for my own sanity, I have to at least mention him here as one of the top young defensemen in the NHL. He’s only got the one assist through ten games, but like I just mentioned, he really hasn’t been given the ice time (whether at five on five or on the powerplay) to utilize his incredible offensive skillset. I’m not exactly basing this ranking on what Parekh has done in his brief NHL stint so far, but more on my belief that there aren’t many U23 Dmen in the NHL that I’m more confident will become a star than Zayne Parekh. 

3. Ben Kindel

Let’s forget about just U23 skaters for a second. There might not be a more unexpected story in the entire NHL than the start to Ben Kindel’s season. Before the season began there’s no world where I would’ve expected Kindel to make an appearance on a list like this, even as an honourable mention. But he’s earned it, and he’s opened a lot of eyes as to what he could be for this Penguins team down the road.

Top 20 Under 23

1. Macklin Celebrini

The choice for the top two spots on this list was a fairly easy one, but deciding who to put number one was not. After an intense back and forth (within my own mind), I’m going with Macklin Celebrinin as my top U23 skater in the NHL. You’d have to look pretty hard to find a weakness in Celebrini’s game, in fact, I’m not entirely sure one exists. His IQ, his shot, his hands, his board play, his compete, it’s all at an elite level at just 19 years old. His 18 points are tied with Leo Carlsson for the most among U23 skaters this season, which is improving upon a rookie season that saw him score 25 goals and 63 points at just 18 years old. Although some of his on-ice metrics aren’t the most impressive right now, that’s mainly due to the Sharks being one of the league’s worst rosters over the past few seasons. If I’m choosing any U23 skater to be the face of my franchise, I’ll bet on the talent and traits of Celebrini over anyone else.  

2. Connor Bedard

Naturally, Connor Bedard comes in at the second spot on this list. He may not have immediately taken over the league like some thought he would back on his draft day, but he still has as much (actually, probably more) talent as anyone in this U23 category, and It would be pretty reckless to have him any lower than second place. Even though most hockey fans would call his first two seasons underwhelming, it doesn’t mean they were bad. Bedard finished fifth among all U23 skaters in points (67) a season ago, which included tying with Lucas Raymond for the most primary assists (28). Everyone in the hockey world knows the skill that Bedard possesses, and it’s looking like this could be the year he takes the massive step we’re all waiting for. Six goals and sixteen points through thirteen games is about as good as you could hope to start if you’re Bedard and the Hawks. Even with his on-ice metrics following a similar trend as Celebrini’s, the jump in production this season is enough for me to buy into a Bedard breakout, and could signal the true start of the most exciting potential in the NHL. 

3. Ivan Demidov

Ivan Demidov absolutely dismantled the Russian hockey circuit. From the Russia U17 league, to the MHL, to then the KHL, Demidov has dominated and set records at every stop in his hockey journey. So it shouldn’t be shocking to learn he’s now doing the same thing in the NHL. Demidov has registered five goals and fourteen points through his first fifteen career regular season games, and it takes only one game of watching him to see the ridiculous skill and IQ he possesses. The hands, the shot, the edge work, the hockey sense, it all makes your jaw drop when you watch how he puts it all together during a game. I know I said the top two spots on this list were easy to decide, but I truly believe Demidov’s potential is on the same level as Bedard and Celebrini, and I think it’ll be very interesting to see how the three compare over the coming years. 

4. Matthew Scheafer

I mentioned earlier how Connor Bedard hasn’t really taken the league by storm like many thought he would once he was drafted, which can be the case for many top prospects when they enter the league at just 18 years old, except of course, if your name is Matthew Schaefer. The start to Schaefer’s NHL career has been nothing short of exceptional, his eleven points in thirteen games is most among rookie defensemen, and second among all U23 Dmen behind only Lane Hutson. While his five goals places him first in both age groupings. On the surface, it probably shouldn’t be surprising that a first overall pick is looking like a future star NHLer, but for an eighteen year old (let alone one who played in just seventeen games in his final junior season) to look as comfortable and dominant as he has is almost unheard of. Schaefer’s play at both ends of the ice has been remarkable, ranking first in both expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) and goals against (xGA/60) among all Islanders blueliners. If Schaefer can maintain this level of play, not only is the Calder trophy attainable, but he’s going to find himself very high on Norris ballets come season’s end. 

5. Lane Hutson

Speaking of the Calder trophy, Habs defenseman Lane Hutson rounds out an impressive top five of the list. Last season’s rookie of the year has continued to build on his award winning inaugural season by picking up thirteen points in as many games to start the 2025-26 campaign. His thirteen points rank first among U23 defensemen this season, and trails only Cale Makar (18) among all NHL Dmen. His six primary assists also gives him the top spot among U23 blueliners, and ranks third across the league behind Makar and Charlie McAvoy. Hutson’s offensive abilities have been known about for some time now, dating all the way back to his days with the USNTDP. There were concerns about how his overall game would translate to the NHL that saw him fall to the Canadiens in the second round in 2022. It’s now pretty safe to say those concerns were blown well out of proportion, and Hutson is well on his way to becoming one of the league’s most impactful defensemen. 

6. Leo Carlsson

If the season ended today, you could make an extremely compelling case that Leo Carlsson should win the Hart Trophy. Being a second overall pick, Carlsson was obviously seen as one of the brighter young talents in the game before the season even began, but the leap he’s taken at just Twenty years old has been unbelievable, and he’s putting himself on a trajectory to become one of the top faces of the entire league. As of November 5th, Carlsson’s 18 points ranks second among all U23 skaters, trailing only Celebrini’s 21 (who’s played in two more games). Carlsson’s leap to superstardom has helped propel the Ducks to a new level so far in 2025, as they sit first place in the Pacific division

7. Matvei Michkov

Michkov has had a pretty polarizing start to the 2025-26 season. Which sees him slide below guys like Carlsson, Hutson, and Demidov when ranking the top U23 talent in the NHL. His 6 points through November 5th is fewer than guys like Oliver Kapanen, Emmitt Finnie, and Simon Nemec. Production aside, there’s still no doubt about Michkov’s offensive talent, but some rumoured concerns about his defensive play and off-ice conduct has seen him battle some public scrutiny from head coach Rick Tochett, with his total ice time on the season ranking 40th among all U23 skaters. Nonetheless, I still think Michkov’s offensive talent is too impressive to have him any lower on this list, and a change in philosophy over in Philadelphia could be what it takes for him to fully reach his ceiling. 

8. Logan Cooley

Cooley might be in the complete opposite situation as Michkov right now, and it’s caused him to shoot up this list pretty drastically. If you asked me before the season, I probably would’ve had him in the 15-18 range, below many of the players he’s now leapfrogged.  He’s currently seeing improvements in many of his on-ice metrics and has already potted 8 goals through his first 14 games. All of that is giving me some newfound belief that he can be a true playdriving number one centre on a contending team. Utah has seen some strong improvements from a handful of players this season, which has led to a pretty impressive start for the team, but I would argue that none are more integral to the future of the club than Cooley’s. 

9. Wyatt Johnston

Johnston is probably the most underappreciated player on this list. His 14 points currently ranks 5th among U23 skaters, and he’s coming off back-to-back thirty goals seasons before the age of 22. The Stars have been juggling their lines quite a bit, so Johnston has seen a number of different linemate combinations early on, but it seems he’s got the ability to produce with any duo alongside him. Duchene-Seguin, Robertson-Rantanen, Robertson-Bourque, Steel-Rantanen, and Robertson-Seguin are all partners that Johnston has seen minutes with this season, and only the Robertson-Seguin combo has produced an xGF% below 50%. The only reason Johnston isn’t higher on this list is that he’s already 22 years old, which makes him the oldest player that I’ve ranked so far, and gives him a slight developmental advantage over some of the younger players ahead of him. Nonetheless, a U23 player playing 20+ minutes a night on a cup contending team needs to be recognized, even more so when you consider he’s producing at a near point per game pace. 

10. Dylan Guenther

Rounding out the top 10 is another highly impactful 22 year old forward in Dylan Guenther. Guenther has produced similar numbers to Johnston this season, with his 6 goals and 13 points both just one fewer than the Stars centerman. As mentioned already with Cooley, the Mammoth have had several young stars get off to strong starts, which has led to an impressive opening month for the club. Although I think Cooley is more integral to the Mammoth’s long-term outlook, I don’t want to discredit what Guenther has done since entering the league. The goal scoring ability has always been the major focus of Guenther’s game and it’s what made him such an exciting prospect a few years ago, but I think the most interesting part of his early success this season has been his defensive improvements. Guenther’s 1.96 xGA/60 ranks second with U23 skaters (behind only Montreal’s Juraj Slafkovsky) and fourth on the Mammoth. Last season, he saw that number at 2.67, which was the second worst mark among all Mammoth skaters. Guenther and Cooley have spent a lot of minutes together this season, to some very strong results, and I think there’s an interesting argument as to who’s the more impactful piece for this Utah club. Either way, It’s a duo that’s primed to do some serious damage in the Western Conference for years to come. 

11. Cutter Gauthier

Like his teammate Leo Carlsson, Gauthier is off to a torrid start to the 2025-26 season, which earns him my first spot outside the top 10. His 10 goals are tops in the U23 group, and he’s done it in just 12(!) games. Gauthier definitely has some defensive issues at the moment, but his goal scoring ability might be second to none on this list. His connection with linemates Mason Mctavich and Beckett Sennecke has also been impressive to watch, and could be a trio that the league becomes very familiar with in the coming years. It’s early, but a 71.57 GF% at 5 on 5 is a laughably impressive number for Gauthier, and that’s to go with a 57.53% shots for percentage (SF%) and a 58.78 CF%. It’s no secret that he loves to shoot the puck, and if he can keep generating quality looks (with the elite shot that he possesses) why should anyone tell him to stop. 

12. Juraj Slafkovsky

Slafkovsky is definitely not your typical first overall pick archetype. He’s not flashy, and he doesn’t have gamebreaking skills, but he certainly has a big body, and he’s slowly figuring out how to use it. Slafkovsky’s line with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield is simply one of the best in the entire league, although his production is a step behind that of Suzuki and Caufield’s, Slafkovsky’s impact on their play has been more noticeable than ever this season and is a key factor to why they’ve been so successful. Among U23 forwards, he ranks 6th in GF%, 7th in xGF%, 8th in CF%, and 5th in SF%, all at 5 on 5. It wouldn’t be ridiculous to think he could be even higher on this list, but he’s ultimately the third best player on his own line, albeit a very good one. Slafkovsky figuring out how to use his unique frame to win puck battles and disrupt plays is going to continue to do wonders for the production of his two linemates, and will give him incredible value to the Canadiens that won’t always show up on the score sheet. 

13. Adam Fantilli

If there’s any player in the 11-20 range on this list that could drastically shoot up towards the top in the near future it’s got to be Fantilli. Personally, I expected him to be placed higher when I had the idea to make this ranking, being the third overall pick just two years ago and coming off an age 20 season where he scored 31 goals should be enough to get him inside the top ten. But a slow start to the 2025-26 campaign, and the rapid ascension of some of his peers finds Fantilli here in the number thirteen spot. I don’t want to sound like I’m being completely negative towards Fantilli, this is still a very good young player who definitely has the tools to take a massive leap towards superstardom. My main concern with Fantilli right now is his ability to drive his own line. He’s spent a lot of time this season centering a combination of Kent Johnson, Boone Jenner, and Cole Sillinger, and none of the combos have seen great results. Like Slafkovsky, it might take a stint with the likes of Kirill Marchanko and Dimitti Voronkov on the top line for Fantilli to find his role, gain confidence, and put up some points. 

14. Luke Hughes

Defensemen are inherently harder to evaluate in these situations than forwards. Asking a 22 year old Dman to log well over twenty minutes a night against top competition might not yield incredible results right away, but I’ve got a ton of faith that Hughes is going to put it all together sooner than later. Hughes has logged more ice time than all but one U23 defensemen (Simon Edvinsson) and has seen some pretty impressive on-ice results. His 3.09 xGF/60 ranks fifth among U23 blueliners, while his 2.78 xGA ranks 12th. Although he’s yet to score, his 7 total points are good for the fourth most in the age group and he’s running an impressive 67.26 GF% at 5 on 5. The Devils are a very good team, which will definitely help those on-ice numbers, but Hughes has the talent to be a true top pairing Dman in the NHL, and I’d wager he’s closing in on a pretty serious breakout. 

15. Beckett Sennecke

Sennecke is now the third Anaheim Duck to make an appearance on the list, and is yet another that I’m quite high on. It was undoubtedly a shock when he was taken with the third overall pick in the 2024 entry draft (over the likes of Cayden Lindstrom and Ivan Demidov) but I don’t think the Ducks are too regretful about their decision. Yes, I do think Demidov is the better talent and was clearly the better prospect at the time of the draft, but Sennecke’s offensive ability is quite remarkable and it’s going to allow him to be a highly impactful and highly productive player in the NHL for a long time. Among U23 forwards this season, Sennecke ranks inside the top ten in Corsi for per 60 minutes (7th), Fenwick for per 60 minutes (6th), and expected Goals for per 60 minutes (6th). Like his linemate Cutter Gauthier, Sennecke’s defensive play will certainly take a bit longer to adjust to the NHL, but the offensive talent is there, and I’m excited to see how he continues to grow with this exciting Ducks core. 

16. Zach Benson

Benson has only played in 8 games this season due to a facial injury he suffered in practice prior to the season opener. In those 8 games, he’s racked up 8 assists and I feel like he’s shown enough to warrant a spot on this list. In my eyes, Benson is in this group of premier young talents in the NHL, and he’s starting to show exactly why. Currently, Benson is one of only four Sabres skaters with an xGF%, CF%, and FF% all over fifty percent. The defensive metrics are strong (especially for an undersized winger) and I’ve always been a believer in his playmaking and offensive IQ translating well to the NHL. It could be due to playing for the Sabres that Benson seems to fly under the radar when talking about the league’s top young stars, but I’ve got a good feeling everyone around the league is going to become very familiar with his game rather quickly. 

17. Will Smith

Admittedly, my original ranking did not have Will Smith inside the top 20. But after some review, there was just no way I could leave him off. Like many of the forwards outside my top ten, Smith’s offensive impact is what jumps out when you watch him play. The puck skills and the playmaking ability are already top notch, and the production has been very encouraging this season as well. Smith is currently up to 5 goals and 13 points through just 14 games, and is rocking a very impressive 67.15 GF% at 5 on 5. Like Celebrini, some of Smith’s expected on-ice metrics aren’t that impressive and may lead to a production dip as the season progresses, but it’s easy to ignore it when looking at the state of the Sharks roster and the role that the two young stars have been asked to fill so early in their careers. Although the lack of overall game definitely keeps Smith down on this list a bit, I can’t ignore the skill and creativity he plays with when on the attack. Someone this electrifying simply has to be acknowledged. 

18. Logan Stankoven

There’s a reason that Stankoven was coveted by the Hurricanes in the return package for Mikko Rantanen last season, and it’s because he’s one of the most complete and impactful U23 skaters in the NHL. Stankoven’s start to the season has been incredibly impressive when you look beyond just the point totals, four goals and seven points in twelve games is nothing to scoff at, but the on-ice metrics show he’s been much more impactful than that. Among U23 forwards, Stankoven ranks fourth in xGF% and first in CF% this season, and he’s been affecting both ends of the ice, ranking inside the top twenty in both xGF/60 and xGA/60. We all know the Hurricanes run a pretty tight ship in terms of their structure, so it’s not too surprising to see Stankoven’s on-ice results reflect that positively, but it’s pretty impressive that he was able to jump into Carolina last season and instantly look like it’s where he belonged. Stankoven will turn 23 in February, which definitely keeps him down a bit on this list, but this is still an extremely dynamic player who’s going to continue to impact games in a multitude of ways.  

19. Jackson Blake

This might feel like cheating, but basically everything I just said about Stankoven can be applied here to Jackson Blake. Both have played almost the exact same 5 on 5 minutes this season and they’ve done pretty much all of it playing together. Blake’s three goals and eight points are almost identical to Stankoven’s production, with the on-ice stats being almost identical as well. Both are 2003 born, and both have a strong two-way impact on the game. I’ve given the slight edge to Stankoven because I believe he’s the slightly more dynamic offensive threat, which I value a bit more in a forward. For a fourth round pick, Blake being on this list at all is an acknowledgement of how impressive his career has been thus far, and I’m confident he’s going to keep being an impactful piece for the Canes as his career progresses. 

20. Artyom Levshunov

With the 20th spot on my ranking I’m going to use a little more projection than I have been throughout the rest of the list, because I wanted to acknowledge how good I think Artyom Levshunov is. He’s been playing pretty sheltered minutes so far this season (which I applaud the Blackhawks for doing) so the on-ice stats should be taken with a grain of salt, but they’re still pretty impressive. His 57.17% xGF% is first among U23 defensemen this season, he also ranks third in CF% and has put up six assists in 12 games. All of the spotlight from the 2024 draft class has been on Macklin Celebrini and Ivan Demidov, but we need to realize that Levshunov went second overall for a reason. This is a defenseman who skates well, moves the puck with confidence, and does a lot of little things well throughout a hockey game. Once he grows into a bigger role, and refines some of his decision making, Levshunov should flourish into a strong top pairing defenceman, and silence many of his draft day doubters.