There’s no doubt that players are the highlight of every NHL season. While there are veterans like Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby who have made their mark in the sport, newer talents are beginning to spring up.
In this post, we will rank the top five young NHL players poised to shine this season. Surely, there are multitudes of them out there who’d be hitting it big, but who are the most dominant? Let’s learn about them and what makes them unique.
Top Five Young National Hockey League Players
Several younger players are coming into the spotlight and drawing the interest of fans and bettors alike. For the latter, it’s essential to watch out for these young talents, as a wager on them can be profitable.
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Without further ado, here are the top five young NHL players who’ll likely be hitting it big in the 2023 season;
- Connor Bedard, Chicago Blackhawks
- Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche
- Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils
- Tim Stutzle, Ottawa Senators
- Mason McTavish, Anaheim Ducks
Here are more details on these extraordinary talents.
Connor Bedard, Chicago Blackhawks
Bedard has started this season in style. Currently leading the Blackhawks as their first line center and on the first power play unit, Bedard is having the rookie season many expected him to.
The young superstar leads the league in rookie scoring with nine goals and 13 points in 14 games. He’s on pace to score 53 goals and 76 points the rest of the way. He will be a top player in the league for many years to come.
Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche
With 50 points in 57 games as a rookie, Cale Makar was awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy. After scoring 44 points in only 24 games during the abridged 2020-21 season, he was named a James Norris Memorial Trophy finalist.
Makar had his finest season to date last year when he won the Norris Trophy after scoring 86 points in 77 games. He also led the Avalanche to the Stanley Cup and won the Conn Smythe Trophy for MVP.
At such a young age, Cale Makar anchors the Avalanche blue line, which is almost impossible for others his age. Being 5’11’’ with a massive 187 pounds, he is the perfect player for both sides of the rink.
Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils
After a 99-point season last year, Hughes is back among the league leaders in points. With 20 points in 10 games, he leads the entire NHL in points per game, and if he wasn’t sidelined with an injury right now, he would likely be atop the scoring race as well.
His talent, underlying stats, and prospective usage all point to a continued bright future. The 22-year-old possesses a fantastic tool kit that all teams would fight to have, and he will be in the Hart Trophy conversation for the foreseeable future.
Tim Stutzle, Ottawa Senators
The German superstar has built well on his previous season career high. Stutzle has a diverse skillset that makes him effective in all situations, and is thriving in Ottawa on a line with the versatile Mathieu Joseph and veteran Claude Giroux.
Stutzle has 20 points in 14 games so far, on pace for 117 points which would be another huge improvement from last year’s total of 90 points. Stutzle represents just one of several German hockey prodigies making their way to the NHL. It’s very nice to see an injection of talent from a non-traditional hockey market, and at an elite level.
Mason McTavish, Anaheim Ducks
McTavish captained Team Canada to a World Juniors gold medal in 2021-22, putting up 17 points in seven games as the tournament’s leading scorer. Still just 20 years old, McTavish is becoming one of the most electrifying young superstars in the NHL.
Currently sitting with 16 points in 16 games, McTavish is a point-per-game player for the Ducks and is wearing an alternate captain’s “A” on his jersey this year. His combination of skill and leadership bodes well for the Ducks becoming a force to be reckoned with in the next couple years.
Other Interesting Facts About the National Hockey League 2023
Besides getting to know these young players, here are some interesting facts about the National Hockey League:
- The 2023/2024 edition will be the 107th edition of the sport.
- Expect three outdoor games: The Heritage Classic, the Winter Classic, and an outdoor night game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the New Jersey Devils.
- Carolina Hurricanes and Edmonton Oilers are strong competitors for the top spot besides Colorado Avalanche (the 2022 champions).
Young People Are Breaking Out Big in NHL 2023
Over the years, we’ve seen many young players make an impact in the National Hockey League. A good example is Sidney Crosby, the captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins. He started off with the Bearcats in the 2001 Maritime Junior Hockey League at the age of 13. He has since become one of the best NHL players, winning numerous championships.
In 2023, we don’t expect to see any less of these young talents. Considering the rising popularity of the sport, more youngsters are picking up interest and making their way to the limelight. Tim Stutzle, Connor Bedard, and Cale Makar are just a few of them.
