In the NHL it always pays to have youth on your roster. It certainly helps that much more if the youth on that roster is classified as “elite”. The NHL Draft can be hit or miss when building your team for the future, but there are always players that just cannot miss.
This list is dedicated to the top five players in the NHL right now under the age of 25. There are certainly more than five players that could, and maybe should be included (in any order) for the sake of water cooler discussion. I’ll toss a handful in the honorable mention section so that there can be ribbons handed out for participation too.
These players are the cream of the crop and despite their age, they transcend the sport. They are the players that make the price of admission (almost) bearable and lift our butts out of the seat every time they have the puck. Each one has been locked into their respective roster for the relatively long term, so get used to seeing these guys in the sweater that they currently wear.
Honorable Mention: Claude Giroux, C, Philadelphia Flyers (25), Jonathan Toews, C, Chicago Blackhawks (25), Jordan Eberle, RW, Edmonton Oilers (24), P.K Subban, D, Montreal Canadiens (24)
Erik Karlsson, D, Ottawa Senators- (23)
Matt Cooke cheated us from seeing the 2011 Norris Trophy winner do his thing in Ottawa. With a proper recovery period for his severed Achilles tendon (shudder) Karlsson should be back to his old ways quarterbacking the Ottawa power play and leading the rush out of the Senators defensive zone.
Patrick Kane, RW, Chicago Blackhawks- (24)
As a two-time Stanley Cup champion it will be interesting to see if Kane will continue to see his star rise. He seems to have put the immaturity and frat partying behind him so how good can he be if he really focuses on hockey? The sky is truly the limit for the smooth-skating, puck-dangling winger.
Taylor Hall, LW, Edmonton Oilers- (21)
Lost in the Great White North is the iconic town of Edmonton, home to one of the more storied franchises in the NHL. Despite their relatively young age, the Oilers are rich in tradition and loaded with young talent. At the top of their star brigade is uber-talented left wing Taylor Hall. When he is healthy, Hall might be the most offensively gifted winger in the game. With a supporting cast that is growing and maturing collectively, it won’t be long before Hall and company start building their own dynasty in Alberta.
John Tavares, C, New York Islanders- (22)
The New York Islander’s best player finally got some love and recognition from the rest of the world this season with his Hart Trophy nomination. It’s certainly no coincidence that Tavares star has risen as his team has climbed from the Eastern Conference basement. It will be interesting to see how far the Isles magnificent center can rise and how far he can carry his young team.
Steven Stamkos, C, Tampa Bay Lightning- (23)
It saddens me deeply that one of the most electrifying players in the NHL toils in Florida. While the Lightning are a huge draw in Tampa Bay, the market is hardly worthy of Stamkos’ otherworldly talents. The sniping center has the quickest release in the game today and his one-timers remind us all of another right-handed shot with golden lettuce (Brett Hull, in case I needed to explain that one). Dear NHL on NBC, please put Stamkos on television at least once a week, sincerely, every NHL fan in America……and Canada.