The youth movement in the NHL is in full bloom with a sizeable and sensational group of talented 23-and-under players dominating the game.
Many of these players are leading their teams in production and winning top awards. They're skilled, they're confident and they're difference makers.
"A lot of them are the stars of the League," Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "Whether it's young kids coming along, the way they're drafted, the way they train, the way they prepare themselves at a younger age to be ready for the NHL starting at 18, 19, these kids play a lot of hockey now at a young age. And it's different than it's been in the past because these young guys are so important to the team success."
Here are the top 23-and-under players in the NHL, according to NHL.com:
10. Aleksander Barkov, Florida Panthers
Florida has several good, young forwards with Barkov leading the way. He probably doesn't get the attention he deserves, but the 23-year-old continues to improve each season. He set NHL career highs in goals (27), assists (51) and points (78) in 79 games last season and was named captain Sept. 17.
9. Brock Boeser, Vancouver Canucks
The 21-year-old right wing has great instincts and knows where to be for scoring opportunities. He had 55 points (29 goals, 26 assists) in 62 games and was a top candidate for the Calder Trophy (he finished second) until he sustained a season-ending back injury against the New York Islanders on March 6. With forwards Daniel and Henrik Sedin retired, Boeser will be one of the players the Canucks count on for more production.
8. David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins
The 22-year-old right wing signed a six-year contract with the Bruins in 2017, and immediately showed why he was worth the investment. Playing on the top line with veterans Patrice Bergeron, 33, and Brad Marchand, 30, Pastrnak led the Bruins with 35 goals and was second on the team in points (80) behind Marchand (85).
7. Jack Eichel, Buffalo Sabres
The Sabres offense goes through the 21-year-old who had 64 points (25 goals, 39 assists) last season. Ankle injuries have sidelined Eichel for a combined 36 games in his past two NHL seasons, but there's no denying the talent, powerful game and production when he is healthy.
6. Charlie McAvoy, Boston Bruins
If defensemen need more time to be ready for the NHL, no one told McAvoy. Paired with 41-year-old Zdeno Chara on the top pair, McAvoy, 20, scored 32 points (seven goals, 25 assists) and handled the pressure and minutes (22:09 of ice time per game) well playing with a partner 21 years his senior.
5. Mathew Barzal, New York Islanders
The dynamic center won the Calder Trophy awarded to the League's top rookie last season, leading the Islanders in points (85) and assists (63). With John Tavares now in Toronto, Barzal, 21, will draw a lot more attention from opponents. Possessing as much confidence as he has skill, Barzal should be able to handle the challenge.
4. Patrik Laine, Winnipeg Jets:
From his size (6-foot-5, 206 pounds) to his shot, Laine is a force in the League. The right wing, who turned 20 in April, scored 30 or more goals in two consecutive seasons, making him the seventh teenager in NHL history to do so. His 44 goals last season were second in the League to Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin (49).
3. Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche
The potential for MacKinnon was always there, it was just a matter of when he would reach it. The breakthrough came last season, when the 23-year-old center led the Avalanche in points (97) goals (39) and assists (58). At the NHL Player Media Tour in Chicago, MacKinnon said he wanted to become, "an all-around elite player." He's close to that now.
2. Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs
He missed 20 games because of injuries last season but Matthews, 21, put up good numbers, scoring 63 points (34 goals, 29 assists) in 62 games. The center handles the pressure of playing in Toronto well and when training camp began, Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock said Matthews is "skating at another level."
1. Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
The 21-year-old center has scored 100 points or more in two-straight seasons, winning the Art Ross Trophy twice. He's won the Ted Lindsay Award, the best player in the League as voted by the players, twice. From skating to stickhandling to scoring touch, McDavid is the best in the League, and he's just getting started.
HONORABLE MENTION: Clayton Keller, 20, RW, Arizona Coyotes; Alex DeBrincat, 20, LW, Chicago Blackhawks; Mikko Rantanen, 21, RW, Avalanche; Dylan Larkin, 22, C, Detroit Red Wings; Leon Draisaitl, 22, C, Oilers; Aaron Ekblad, 22, D, Panthers; Juuse Saros, 23, G, Nashville Predators; Mikhail Sergachev, 20, D, Tampa Bay Lightning; Kyle Connor, 21, LW, Jets
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