NHL Player Power Rankings: Top 100 Forwards Under 25-Years-Old

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90. Nick Shore, Los Angeles Kings (23 years old) 1992-09-26

Feb 20, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35) makes a save on a shot by Los Angeles Kings center Nick Shore (21) during the third period at Bridgestone Arena. The Kings won 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

Taken 82nd overall from the University of Denver back in 2011, Shore began his pro career with AHL Manchester back in 2013-14. He split time between Los Angeles and Manchester in 2014-15, producing 42 points in 38 games in the AHL. He also put up seven points in 34 NHL games. He had a productive playoff run with Manchester, tallying 18 points in 19 games. His performance last season made him a virtual lock for the big club heading into 2015-16. He’s got nine points in 52 games so far. If he can find a way to add some weight to that 6’1 frame (and use it), Shore will have a long productive career.

89. Dmitrij Jaskin, St.Louis Blues (22 years old) 1993-03-23

Jan 24, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; St. Louis Blues right wing Dmitrij Jaskin (23) shoots the puck against Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) during the second period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

This 6’2 196lbs Russian winger was selected 41st overall back in 2011. His stock soared following his draft year when he made the jump to North America joining QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats for the 2012-13 season. He put up 99 points in 51 games. He battled injuries early in his NHL career – and, is just now starting to shake that label. He’s split time between the AHL and NHL in each year over the last three seasons. In 2015-16, Jaskin underwhelmed with 10 points in 49 games, forcing a recent demotion to AHL Chicago.

88. Linden Vey, Vancouver Canucks (24 years old) 1991-07-17

Jan 23, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Vancouver Canucks right wing Linden Vey (7) handles the puck as Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) and defenseman Kris Letang (58) defend during the first period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Vey was originally taken 96th overall by the Los Angeles Kings back in 2009.

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He was a highly productive junior player for WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers. After three solid seasons with the Kings AHL affiliate, he finally got his first taste of NHL action back in 2013-14.

Vey was traded to Vancouver the following summer for a 2nd round pick. He put up 24 points in 75 games in 2014-15 with the Canucks. After a disappointing training camp in 2015-16, Linden Vey began the season with AHL Utica. He’s since re-joined Vancouver where he has nine points in 23 games.

87. Teemu Pulkkinen, Detroit Red Wings (24 years old) 1992-01-02

Jan 22, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres goalie Robin Lehner (40) makes a save on Detroit Red Wings left wing Teemu Pulkkinen (56) during the third period at First Niagara Center. Detroit beats Buffalo 3 to 0. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

Another one of Detroit’s draft gems, Pulkkinen was selected 111th overall back in 2011 for Finland’s SM-Liiga (Jokerit Helsinki). He’s paid his dues over the past couple season down in Grand Rapids. He had 59 points in 71 games back in 2013-14, followed by 61 points in 46 games in 2014-15 before Detroit gave him a 31-game stint – producing eight points. He opened 2015-16 with Detroit, only appearing in 30 games this season (12 points) because he seems to be the odd-man out as a healthy scratch.

86. Jesper Fast, New York Rangers (24 years old) 1991-12-02

Jan 22, 2016; Raleigh, NC, USA; New York Rangers forward Jesper Fast (19) skates with the puck against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The New York Rangers defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /

This Swedish-born winger was selected 157th overall back in 2010. He spent the next three seasons playing for SHL’s (Swedish Elite League) HV71. He spent 2013-14 and 2014-15 split between AHL Hartford and New York before earning a full-time roster spot in 2015-16. No matter where Fast was playing, he showed improvement in his game year-after-year. With 21 points in 56 games so far, Fast has developed into a decent two-way forward.

85. Jake Virtanen, Vancouver Canucks (19 years old) 1996-08-17

Jan 26, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Jake Virtanen (18) battles for the puck against Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) during the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports /

At 6’1 208lbs, Jake was taken 6th overall in 2014 from WHL’s Calgary Hitmen. He spent one year in junior before cracking the NHL roster as a 19-year-old in 2015-16. It was a rough start to his rookie season, as he struggled to stay in the lineup. He was eventually loaned to Team Canada for the World Juniors in hopes that he’d find more consistency in his game. It seemed to work, as he’s been a much better player since his return.

84. Matthew Nieto, San Jose Sharks (23 years old) 1992-11-05

February 2, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks left wing Matt Nieto (83) moves the puck ahead of Anaheim Ducks right wing Corey Perry (10) during the first period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Taken 47th overall back in 2011 from Boston University, Nieto went to have a productive college career with 102 points in 115 games. This skilled undersized winger (5’11 190lbs) made the immediate jump to the NHL in 2013-14, producing 24 points in 66 games. He followed that up with 27 points in 72 games last season. It was expected his numbers would climb once again in 2015-16, but it’s a disappointing season so far with 15 points in 54 games.

83. Adam Lowry, Winnipeg Jets (22 years old) 1993-03-29

Jan 2, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Winnipeg Jets left wing Adam Lowry (17) skates during the third period at SAP Center at San Jose. The Winnipeg Jets defeat the San Jose Sharks 4 to 1. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /

At 6’5 210lbs, Lowry was selected 67th overall back in 2011 from WHL’s Swift Current Broncos. After one year of AHL service in 2013-14 (33 pts in 64 games), Adam Lowry earned full-time NHL duties in 2014-15. He appeared in 80 games as a rookie, racking up 23 points. He’s got 12 points in 50 games in 2015-16 – and is developing into a quality role player for the Jets. He’s a gritty power forward with a bit of offensive touch.

82. Tom Wilson, Washington Capitals (21 years old) 1994-03-29

Feb 20, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (43) skates with the puck against the New Jersey Devils in the third period at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

At 6’4 215lbs, Wilson is developing into one of the NHL’s fiercest opponents to line up next to. Whether you want to call him a grinder, power forward, or anything along those lines – all tags apply to this tough customer. He was taken 16th overall back in 2012, and has accumulated triple-digits in penalty minutes his last five seasons (three in the NHL, two in the OHL). He’s even found a way to be more productive in 2015-16 with 18 points in 57 games so far.

81. Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Ottawa Senators (23 years old) 1992-11-11

Jan 21, 2016; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils goalie Cory Schneider (35) makes a save on Ottawa Senators center Jean-Gabriel Pageau (44) during the third period at Prudential Center. The Devils defeated the Senators 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /

Taken 96th overall back in 2011, Pageau has spent the last three seasons splitting time between Binghampton and Ottawa. At 5’10 180lbs, his size can be an issue at times. He’s got great potential if he can learn to be stronger on the puck. He’s finally earned full-time NHL duties in 2015-16, and has 25 points in 60 games so far.

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