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NHL Power Rankings: Top 25 players under 25

By Dave Stevenson

WINNIPEG, MB - DECEMBER 27: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers changes on the fly during third period action against the Winnipeg Jets at the Bell MTS Place on December 27, 2017 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Jets defeated the Oilers 4-3. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB - DECEMBER 27: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers changes on the fly during third period action against the Winnipeg Jets at the Bell MTS Place on December 27, 2017 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Jets defeated the Oilers 4-3. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Honorable Mentions

There was a list of about 30 players who made the second-to-last cut. I can’t emphasize how hard it was to cut it down to 25. There’s a good argument for each of these players deserving to be on this list. In a way, this is a bit encouraging. It’s proof of how much young talent there is around the NHL.

Andrei Vasilevskiy

I think very highly of Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy. He’s a ton of fun to watch because of his outstanding athleticism. It seems like he makes a jaw-dropping highlight reel save at least once per game.

However, it’s worth noting Vasilevskiy played on a team that curb-stomped the competition into the ground in the first half and coasted to the Atlantic Division title. With goalies, you have to separate factors they can control and factors they can’t. As great as Vasilevskiy was last season, his team gave him a ton of help.

Charlie McAvoy

McAvoy was one of the last players I left off this list. There’s just too many good players to include everyone. And it’s really unfortunate I had to leave McAvoy off the list because he’s such an outstanding talent.

Every time I watch him play, I have to remind myself he’s only 20 years old because he plays like a veteran. McAvoy has the hockey IQ of someone who’s at least 30. He does so many little things right. It’s impressive to see a young player so good at doing those things. Combined with his skating and well-balanced game, that’s a lethal combination. Expect to see McAvoy on this list next year once a few players graduate.

It was really difficult for me to leave Jaccob Slavin, Aaron Ekblad, and Noah Hanifin off the final list as well.

Brayden Point

Point was the last forward left off this list. My decision came down to potential versus production, and I took the latter. Barring anything unforeseen, Point will be on this list next season. I’d be shocked if he isn’t.

Rasmus Dahlin

No, I didn’t put Rasmus Dahlin on this list. It’s not fair to the people on it, nor is it fair to the 2018 first overall pick. Prospects are unknown quantities. That said, Dahlin should be headlining this list next season. Nothing I’ve seen from him suggests he’s anything less than a borderline generational blueline talent. Dahlin might well be generational. But let’s see how he does in the NHL first.

Others: Nico Hischier, Teuvo Teravainen, Will Butcher, Nolan Patrick, Aaron Ekblad, Mikhail Sergachev, Sean Monahan, Kyle Connor, Jaccob Slavin, Max Domi, Dylan Larkin, Anthony Mantha, Shea Theodore, Noah Hanifin.

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