The 2022-23 NHL season is inching closer and closer. With teams getting ready for preseason, there are a plethora of young players aiming to carve out a spot on their club's respective roster for the upcoming season.
The future of the NHL is in good hands. We've seen the emergence already of players like Trevor Zegras, the Hughes brothers, Moritz Seider and many more. At the World Juniors just a month ago, top draft picks like Mason McTavish shined on the international stage. Soon, all of this young talent will become everyday NHLers.
With that in mind, The Sporting News is taking a look at the 23 best players under the age of 23 in the NHL. The analysis and thought process with these rankings should be taken with a grain of salt. It's a mix of how these players have already performed in the NHL and predicting/projecting what their careers are going to be in the future.
One more note before we dive in. In order to be eligible for this list, a player must be 22 years old or younger before Oct. 7, the start of the NHL season. For example, Brady Tkachuk turned 23 on September 16, so he is not included. However, someone like Quinn Hughes, who turns 23 on October 14, is eligible.
MORE: When does NHL regular season start?
Here is The Sporting News' NHL Top 23 Under 23 list for the 2022-23 season.
The Sporting News' NHL Top 23 Under 23
1. Jack Hughes, F, Devils
Age: 21 | Drafted: 2019, 1st overall
Hughes finally took a step forward this season, producing at over a point-per-game rate before injuries cut his season short. He's gotten progressively better each season in the NHL and he's only 21. The skill Hughes has with the puck on his stick is insane, whether it be used to find teammates or the back of the net. If healthy, Hughes has the chance to evolve into one of the game's most dynamic offensive players.
2. Moritz Seider, D, Red Wings
Age: 21 | Drafted: 2019, 6th overall
The 2022 Calder Trophy recipient wasted no time making his presence felt in the NHL — literally, in his first NHL game, Seider got into it with Victor Hedman. He plays with a nasty side, but can also slip his way in and out of traffic while maintaining possession. The German not only shot up the Red Wings' roster, taking on the No. 1 defensemen role, but showed that he has all the makings of a potential Norris contender in the future.
3. Quinn Hughes, D, Canucks
Age: 22 | Drafted: 2018, 7th overall
Like his younger brother, Hughes also broke out for a sensational 2021-22 season, finishing fourth among defensemen in assists and 14th out of all skaters. While his calling card will also be his offense considering his puck-moving ability and skating, the blue liner has improved on his defense and is becoming a well-rounded, top-pairing defenseman.
4. Trevor Zegras, F, Ducks
Age: 21 | Drafted: 2019, 9th overall
Zegras is more than just a goofy, fun-loving youngster who can do really cool things with the puck. While his strength is certainly his creativity with the biscuit, he has the ability to score and set up teammates, making him a lethal option on offense. The defense is a work in progress, but a 61-point rookie season and second-place finish in the Calder voting is an excellent start to what should be a long, successful career in the NHL for Zegras.
5. Andrei Svechnikov, F, Hurricanes
Age: 22 | Drafted: 2019, 2nd overall
The Russian winger has emerged as one of the Hurricanes' top offensive players, scoring 30 goals for the first time in his career this past season. Svechnikov has produced at just under 0.90 points per game the last three straight seasons. He's a big, powerful forward who doesn't shy away from the physical play, and has shown he can be a force offensively.
6. Tim Stützle, F, Senators
Age: 20 | Drafted: 2020, 3rd overall
Stützle's transition to the NHL has been nearly flawless. He's coming off a strong second season where he had 58 points. With Ottawa bringing in Alex DeBrincat and Claude Giroux, I think Stützle is due for a breakout season. He already has shown he can play a strong two-way game, and giving his ability to distribute the puck, I expect his production and progression are only going to increase with better linemates.
7. Rasmus Dahlin, D, Sabres
Age: 22 | Drafted: 2018, 1st overall
Dahlin is an interesting case. There's no denying that he possesses a ton of offensive talents, with an uncanny ability to handle and move the puck. However, his defense is susceptible, and on a bad Sabres team, his offense has yet to make up for it. The fact that he will need to be paired with a stay-at-home style defenseman limits his ceiling, in my opinion, but Dahlin is progressing more towards the player people thought he would be when he was taken No. 1 overall four years ago.
8. Owen Power, D, Sabres
Age: 19 | Drafted: 2021, 1st overall
Speaking of Sabres defensemen, Power has all the makings of being an all-around, top-pair blue liner. Despite his 6-6 frame, he can move well and distributes the puck efficiently. Power skated in eight games for the Sabres last season, recording a goal and two assists, but we'll get a much larger sample size this season when he should be in a top-four role in Buffalo. Power will eventually be the Sabres' No. 1 defenseman and should be for a long time.
9. Cole Caufield, F, Canadiens
Age: 21 | Drafted: 2019, 15th overall
A bad start to the 2021-22 season fed the haters last year, as the same, lazy narrative was spewed all over that Caufield can't succeed in the NHL because of his size. Turns out, it likely was more because of former Habs coach Dominique Ducharme limiting Caufield. The young American winger is a pure goal scorer, with a knack for avoiding hits by utilizing his skating or his hands. As Caufield continues to develop under Martin St. Louis, we should see him continue to prove the doubters wrong.
10. Lucas Raymond, F, Red Wings
Age: 20 | Drafted: 2020, 4th overall
While Seider rightfully was named the NHL's Rookie of the Year, his teammate Raymond had a pretty good first year himself. The Swedish forward finished third in Calder voting after a 58-point rookie campaign. He immediately was inserted into a top role with the team, excelling on the top power play and finishing third on the team in scoring. With an excellent wrist shot and smooth hands to pair, Raymond should continue to see top minutes for Detroit.
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11. Matty Beniers, F, Kraken
Age: 19 | Drafted: 2021, 2nd overall
If there's a future Selke winner on this list, my guess would be Beniers. The center can play in all situations and does not have any true weakness to his game. He got a crack at the NHL at the end of last season, playing on a top line for the Kraken and recording nine points in 10 games. While Beniers is not going to fill the scoresheet as much as others on this list, his excellence in the two-way game should make him one of the most impactful players.
12. Alexis Lafrenière, F, Rangers
Age: 20 | Drafted: 2020, 1st overall
While Lafrenière hasn't made that instant impact people may have been expecting when he was taken with the first pick, at just 20 years old, there is still plenty of time for the forward to come into his own. He improved this past season, and with an opportunity to play top-line minutes in the future, Lafrenière can take another step. I don't think he'll be the guy like he was in juniors, but there is the potential for him to grow into a great wing.
13. Luke Hughes, D, Devils
Age: 19 | Drafted: 2021, 4th overall
The youngest Hughes brother won't be making the jump to the NHL until at the very earliest spring of 2023, but there's a lot to like about the defenseman. Hughes' skating is unbelievable, as he can flat-out fly up the ice and handle the puck with ease. He can work a blue line exceptionally well and his skating certainly helps him in the transition game. As with any puck-carrying defenseman, there are risks to Hughes' game that he will need to adapt to, but like his brothers, he should have no problem becoming a star in the NHL.
14. Seth Jarvis, F, Hurricanes
Age: 20 | Drafted: 2020, 13th overall
There were a couple of rookies that flew under the radar last season and one of them was Jarvis. The Hurricanes youngster had 40 points in his first season in Carolina, seeing time on the top forward line by the end of the year. His skating is what sets him apart, and he has skill to pair. Don't be shocked to see Jarvis become one of the more well-known names in the league.
15. Dylan Cozens, F, Sabres
Age: 21 | Drafted: 2019, 7th overall
The Sabres are building around a young core and at the center of it is Cozens. The big forward enjoyed a 38-point season last year in his second season with Buffalo. He's got everything you want in a center: he can skate, he can handle the puck well and he can play physically. Like Beniers, I don't see Cozens putting up crazy numbers, but his ability to make an impact in all facets of the game make him very valuable.
16. Shane Wright, F, Kraken
Age: 18 | Drafted: 2022, 4th overall
While Wright may not have gone No. 1 in the 2022 draft as expected, he's still a top talent. He didn't pop off in the OHL in the 2021-22 season like some thought, but the tools are all there. Wright is an excellent playmaker, constantly finding teammates to create chances either off the rush in the offensive zone. The chip on the shoulder he gained at the draft is only going to fuel Wright more, and the Kraken are going to be quite happy he fell to them at No. 4.
17. Bowen Byram, D, Avalanche
Age: 21 | Drafted: 2019, 4th overall
It's been easy to root for someone like Byram. He's gone through a lot already in his young NHL career, battling multiple head injuries. He was able to get on the ice at the end of the season for the Avalanche, helping the team to a Stanley Cup win thanks to his precision passing and skating on the blue line. Health will be the main factor into his career longevity, but he has the framework to be a star, two-way defenseman.
18. Juraj Slafkovsky, F, Canadiens
Age: 18 | Drafted: 2022, 1st overall
Slafkovsky made waves at the NHL draft this past summer, as the Canadiens chose him over Shane Wright for the top pick. It's understandable why the Slovak draws appeal: he's built like a power forward, but has extremely soft hands and a wicked shot. The defense and skating need work, but the offensive tools he has should allow him to carve out a top role as a scoring winger in the NHL.
19. Noah Dobson, D, Islanders
Age: 22 | Drafted: 2018, 12th overall
Dobson absolutely exploded onto the scene this past year, establishing himself as the Islanders' top offensive defenseman, recording 51 points in 80 games. He's very mobile and while he's not going to be going end-to-end with the puck, Dobson is primed to be a top-pair guy who can contribute on the back end. New York has enough shutdown defenders; the team needs someone like Dobson to move the puck quickly and effectively out of the zone.
20. Evan Bouchard, D, Oilers
Age: 22 | Drafted: 2018, 10th overall
A lot of the names on this list are fairly well-known in the hockey world. I guarantee not many know of Bouchard. The Oilers defenseman has had to sit behind Darnell Nurse, Duncan Keith and Tyson Barrie but finally got a chance to take on a larger role last season, recording 41 points in 81 games. Eventually, he'll take over the power play in place of Barrie as he's an exceptional puck mover. Bouchard is one of the most underrated young defenseman and is due to break out soon.
21. Matt Boldy, F, Wild
Age: 21 | Drafted: 2019, 6th overall
One of the biggest "what ifs" from the 2021-22 season is what if Boldy played the whole year with Minnesota? I have no doubt he would have finished higher in the Calder voting and given Seider a run for his money for Rookie of the Year. Boldy only skated in 47 games for the Wild, but put up 39 points. He meshed in really well on the third line for the Wild, but he definitely will make his way soon into the top-six.
22. K'Andre Miller, D, Rangers
Age: 22 | Drafted: 2018, 22nd overall
It feels like while there is constant chatter about the Rangers and their young group in place, Miller seems to be swept under the radar. He's not the offensive point producer like Adam Fox, but he's a big, lanky defensemen who is a good skater and defends very well. Miller won't be flashy, but he's exactly the kind of shutdown blue liner every contender needs.
23. Mason McTavish, F, Ducks
Age: 19 | Drafted: 2021, 3rd overall
McTavish has just nine games of NHL experience under his belt, but it's easy to see why people are high on him. The Ducks prospect has dominated at his age group (17 points in seven games at the recent World Juniors) and has fit right in when playing against older groups. McTavish has proven his ability to make an impact in all three zones, as he has all the makings of a well-rounded top center in the NHL.
Honorable Mentions
- Logan Cooley, F, Coyotes
- Quinton Byfield, F, Kings
- Spencer Knight, G, Panthers
- Jake Sanderson, D, Senators
- Anton Lundell, F, Panthers
- Simon Edvinsson, D, Red Wings
- Dylan Guenther, F, Coyotes
- David Jiricek, D, Blue Jackets
- Simon Nemec, D, Devils
- Lukas Reichel, F, Blackhawks
- Arthur Kaliyev, F, Kings
