NHL Top 50 Forwards Under 25
By Ryan Ritchie
May 6, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Andre Burakovsky (65) celebrates after scoring a goal against the New York Rangers in the second period in game four of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
40. Andre Burakovsky, Washington Capitals (20 years old)
Had 22 points in 53 games in 2014-15 during his rookie season with the Capitals. The young Austrian is a talented young player who should earn a bigger role in 2015-16 from bench boss Barry Trotz. Burakovsky has a goal and an assist in five games so far this year.
39. Nikolaj Ehlers, Winnipeg Jets (19 years old)
Regarded by some experts as the next best rookie behind Eichel and McDavid heading into 2015-16. Playing alongside Mark Schiefele and Mathieu Perreault on the second line, Ehlers has one goals and three assists in six games with the Jets.
Oct 14, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; Buffalo Sabres forward Sam Reinhart (23) before the game against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Buffalo Sabres defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
38. Sam Reinhart, Buffalo Sabres (19 years old)
Currently receiving around 15 minutes of ice-time per game, Reinhart has a goal and an assist in six games. He’s currently residing on the Sabres top line with O’Reilly and Ennis, although we could see line shuffling as the season progresses.
37. Anthony Duclair, Arizona Coyotes (20 years old)
After a nice stint with the Rangers last season, Duclair was eventually traded as part of the Keith Yandle deal. The 2015-16 season is still early, but Domi and Duclair are already making a case for their names in the Calder race. Duclair already has seven points in six games played with Arizona.
36. Nick Bjugstad, Florida Panthers (23 years old)
Coming off a 24-goal campaign in 2014-15, showing us that he’s more than just a skilled power forward. Bjugstad could easily be a 30 goal scorer in the NHL and has started 2015-16 off right with two goals and one assist in five games playing on the Panthers second line.
35. Jeff Skinner, Carolina Hurricanes (23 years old)
Here’s a guy that keeps falling down any similar rankings over the past few seasons due to a shaky injury history. He managed to play 71 games in 2013-14, followed by 77 last year in 2014-15, so it seems as if he’s put the concussion issues behind him. Unfortunately, he’s only one or two headshots away from having his career put in jeopardy.
34. Evander Kane, Buffalo Sabres (24 years old)
Kane came over late last year prior to the trade deadline, but opted for shoulder surgery which delayed his Sabres debut to 2015-16. In five games with Buffalo so far, he has one goal and two assists in six games.
October 18, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Tyler Toffoli (73) moves in to score a goal against the Colorado Avalanche during the second period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
33. Tyler Toffoli, Los Angeles Kings (23 years old)
Toffoli has seen steady increases in production during his first three NHL seasons. He had 23 goals and 26 assists in 2014-15. Locked into a top-six role with Los Angeles, Tyler Toffoli has three goals in five games to start 2015-16.
32. Ryan O’Reilly, Buffalo Sabres (24 years old)
After trading for their prized acquisition in the offseason, Buffalo proceeded by locking down O’Reilly to a 7-year extension. He got in a bit of offseason trouble, but has since made hockey his focus producing three points in six games with the Sabres so far.
31. Chris Kreider, New York Rangers (24 years old)
Kreider has been a big producer in the regular season and playoffs in the past two season in New York. With the departure of Carl Hagelin and Martin St.Louis, Kreider will see an expanded role in 2015-16. Currently, Kreider has three assists in seven games played.
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