Best NHL Players by Age in 2026-27 – The Hockey Writers – Season Previews

Now in the dog days of summer, you’ve probably seen NHL players be ranked once or twice. It’s a fun exercise, but it doesn’t tell us one thing: which player is the best in each age group? That’s what this list sets out to rank.

To determine player ages, let’s use how old they’ll be on opening night (Sept. 29, 2026). With that, let’s dive into the list.

18 Years Old: Gavin McKenna, Forward

Some will argue Ivar Stenberg belongs in this spot, but Gavin McKenna went No. 1 overall in the 2026 NHL Draft for a reason. Until proven otherwise, he’s set to have the NHL’s best 18-year-old campaign in 2026-27.

I do have some slight concerns with how McKenna’s game will immediately translate to the professional level (we saw him struggle at times in college), so that’s worth noting. Long-term, though, he should be an exceptional player. His vision and hockey IQ are elite traits.

Honorable Mentions: Ivar Stenberg, Viggo Björck

19 Years Old: Matthew Schaefer, Defenseman

Matthew Schaefer had a rookie season for the ages, becoming the third September-born player in NHL history to record 50 or more points at age 18 (the others are Brian Bellows and Nathan MacKinnon). His offensive game is already high-end, and it nearly led the New York Islanders to a playoff berth.

Schaefer’s shooting percentage ranked eighth among defensemen, so some regression in the goal-scoring department may be in order (he had 23). But he’s still the best player in his age group, and it’s hard to imagine that changing anytime soon.

Honorable Mentions: Porter Martone, Michael Misa

20 Years Old: Macklin Celebrini, Forward

Macklin Celebrini may never be dethroned from the top spot for his age group. The 20-year-old center’s 115 points in 82 games were probably a tad bit inflated due to unsustainable teammate finishing rates, but he impacts the game at such a high level that regression wouldn’t really matter.

The next step for Celebrini will be to translate his responsible defensive habits into results. The San Jose Sharks sought to improve their defense in the summer, so he’ll have a chance.

Honorable Mentions: Ivan Demidov, Beckett Sennecke

21 Years Old: Leo Carlsson, Forward

Leo Carlsson was good in his first two seasons in the NHL, but that was taken to a completely different level in 2025-26. The 21-year-old recorded 67 points in 70 games, and his offensive impact was elite. Though the Anaheim Ducks were able to clinch the postseason with just 92 points, Carlsson was nonetheless the top-line center on a playoff team—and one that won a series.

Carlsson is probably not worth the five-year, $18 million cap-hit contract he signed over the summer, but he’s not far off. Matching the Philadelphia Flyers’ offer sheet was a no-brainer.

Honorable Mentions: Connor Bedard, Zach Benson

22 Years Old: Lane Hutson, Defenseman

Two seasons ago, Lane Hutson tied the rookie record for most assists by a defenseman: 60, set by Larry Murphy in 1980-81. The 22-year-old’s extraordinary offensive ability made it so he impacted the game like a No. 1 defenseman, even with poor defensive metrics. But that fact didn’t stop opposing fans from criticizing the Montreal Canadiens rearguard for his defense.

Then, last season happened. Hutson improved his offense even further and was rewarded with 78 points in 82 games, but his defense went from poor to great. He finished sixth in Norris Trophy voting as a result, and he probably deserved more consideration. Montreal has a special player on its hands.

Honorable Mentions: Cutter Gauthier, Juraj Slafkovský

23 Years Old: Wyatt Johnston, Forward

The gap is starting to close on the age-23 group, but Wyatt Johnston reigns supreme for his more proven track record. The Dallas Stars centerman was the top power-play weapon in the league last season, recording a league-high 27 goals on the man advantage.

Johnston’s even-strength performance took enough of a step back for other players to be considered here. He’ll have to be less reliant on the power play in 2026-27.

Honorable Mentions: Dylan Guenther, Jackson Blake

24 Years Old: Jake Sanderson, Defenseman

Jake Sanderson is one of the best two-way defensemen in the game. Seeing as he just turned 24 years old, even more may be on the horizon. The Ottawa Senators could have themselves an MVP-type defenseman, given his offensive prowess, skating ability, and shutdown game.

Sanderson missed 15 games last season, so staying healthy will be big. If he can, the Senators blueliner could be a Norris Trophy candidate. He finished 10^th in voting last season, recording 54 points and a plus-16 rating.

Honorable Mentions: Lucas Raymond, Tim Stützle

25 Years Old: Moritz Seider, Defenseman

This is a controversial one—even to more analytically inclined folks—but Moritz Seider was just too good in 2025-26 to snub him from this spot. At even strength, the Detroit Red Wings had a plus-18 goal differential when he was on the ice. When he returned to the bench, they were minus-42. The team was horrid without the big-bodied defender.

Seider contributed 60 points on top of being arguably the best shutdown defenseman last season. His two-way game has reached unfathomable heights—let’s see if it’s sustainable long-term.

Honorable Mentions: Jack Hughes, Cole Caufield

26 Years Old: Quinn Hughes, Defenseman

Quinn Hughes was not having the most fun time with the Vancouver Canucks, and that was reflected in his early-season results with the team. Once he was traded to the Minnesota Wild, everything changed. He refound his Norris Trophy form, recording 53 points in 48 games with solid defense on 27:54 of average ice time.

When Kirill Kaprizov became the highest-paid player in the NHL in the 2025 offseason with a $17 million cap hit, it would have been unthinkable to imagine the Wild acquiring a player better than him. As good as the Russian winger is, that’s exactly what happened.

Honorable Mentions: Rasmus Dahlin, Evan Bouchard

27 Years Old: Jason Robertson, Forward

I planned to choose the more agreeable option in Cale Makar, but Jason Robertson was on another level last season. The Stars winger is coming off a 45-goal, 96-point campaign where he remained solid defensively and was an elite chance contributor.

Extended to a one-year deal this summer that’ll take him to unrestricted free agency status, it’ll be interesting to see where his future lies. The assumption should be that he re-signs in Dallas, but you never know.

Honorable Mentions: Cale Makar, Robert Thomas

28 Years Old: Adam Fox, Defenseman

Adam Fox is a polarizing figure, to be sure. He’s not fast and lacks the flashiness of the other premier defensemen in the NHL. He makes up for that in his results, though. The 28-year-old missed 27 games due to injury, and it derailed the New York Rangers’ season. He was terrific at both ends of the ice when he did play.

Fox will be arguably the most essential player in the Rangers’ hopes to turn their fortunes around. They were aggressive in the summer, vying to make the playoffs with a younger yet potent core.

Honorable Mentions: Matthew Tkachuk, Brandon Hagel

29 Years Old: Connor McDavid, Forward

For the sixth time, Connor McDavid won the Art Ross Trophy for leading the NHL in points. Last season, he got to the 138-point mark, recording 48 goals and 90 assists in a full 82 games. He was one second short of averaging 23 minutes per game, which helped him set a career high in average ice time.

McDavid will almost certainly see his usage decline under new head coach Mike Babcock, though getting the superstar some rest may be in his best interest. The Edmonton Oilers had a strong offseason, and they’re poised to give the captain another shot at Lord Stanley.

Honorable Mentions: Auston Matthews, Zach Werenski

30 Years Old: Leon Draisaitl, Forward

Leon Draisaitl finished second in Hart Trophy voting two seasons ago. His follow-up act was impressive, recording 35 goals and 62 assists in 65 games—only injuries stopped him from reaching greater heights. Defense earlier in his career was a weakness, and now it’s about average.

Few players rival Draisaitl’s play-driving and passing abilities. With speed, smarts, and skill, he’s one of a kind.

Honorable Mentions: David Pastrňák, Igor Shesterkin

31 Years Old: Nathan MacKinnon, Forward

While he didn’t win any major awards aside from the mandatory Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy for leading the league in goals, Nathan MacKinnon had a case as the NHL’s best player last season. With 53 goals, 127 points, a plus-57 rating, and 22:16 of average ice time, the production and workload the Colorado Avalanche center had was remarkable.

I wasn’t a personal fan of the Avalanche’s offseason, but when MacKinnon is on your team, anything can happen. It’s not the consensus take, but there’s a very good argument to be made that he’s the most valuable player in hockey.

Honorable Mentions: Aleksander Barkov, Ilya Sorokin

32 Years Old: Andrei Vasilevskiy, Goaltender

Andrei Vasilevskiy led the NHL in wins for a sixth time last season and brought home his second Vezina Trophy. He recorded 39 wins, a .911 save percentage, a 2.31 goals-against average, and two shutouts in the 2025-26 campaign.

There’s no sign that Vasilevskiy is declining anytime soon. He’s at an age where he might be prone to a down season (2023-24 being an example, with injury likely playing a role), but that should never be the expectation. The 32-year-old is one of the most athletic and sound netminders in the business.

Honorable Mentions: Damon Severson, Esa Lindell

33 Years Old: Nikita Kucherov, Forward

Nikita Kucherov had a slow start to the season by his standards, then exploded around mid-November. The final result was 44 goals and 86 assists for 130 points in 76 games, nearly leading the NHL. His efforts won him his second Hart Trophy and led the Tampa Bay Lightning to 50 wins.

Wayne Gretzky and Kucherov are the only two players with four consecutive 80-assist seasons. Those came for the former during his 20s, however—Kucherov is 33 now. We’re watching an unprecedented run in playmaking expertise.

Honorable Mentions: Connor Hellebuyck, Mark Scheifele

34 Years Old: Mark Stone, Forward

In a campaign again marred by injury, Mark Stone was arguably the best two-way winger in the NHL. He recorded 73 points in 60 games last season on 19:13 of average ice time, grading out superbly defensively. The Vegas Golden Knights’ success depends on his health.

Part of it can be blamed on him not reaching the 70-game mark since he was in Ottawa, but Stone has gone under the radar as a legit two-way superstar. Some scoring regression may be in order, though.

Honorable Mentions: Artemi Panarin, Brock Nelson

35 Years Old: Ryan O’Reilly, Forward

Ryan O’Reilly is a perfectly capable first-line center as a 35-year-old. He was the oldest forward to average at least 20 minutes of ice time per night, and he recorded 74 points in 81 games. He’s an excellent all-around player, which says a lot about his longevity.

How much longer O’Reilly can maintain this is uncertain. Until he shows signs of decline, the Nashville Predators have themselves a two-way star.

Honorable Mentions: Victor Hedman, Oliver Ekman-Larsson

36 Years Old: Erik Karlsson, Defenseman

At 36 years old, Erik Karlsson is one of the premier pure offensive defensemen in the NHL. He is extremely dangerous with the puck, and that showed in the points department, where he finished with 66 in 75 games.

Karlsson’s defense improved enough to where was able to finish ninth in Norris Trophy voting. The Pittsburgh Penguins rely on him heavily, as he averaged 23:36 of ice time last season.

Honorable Mentions: Roman Josi, John Tavares

37 Years Old: Ryan McDonagh, Defenseman

This is the age range where we start to see fewer superstars, but Ryan McDonagh is a solid No. 4-5 defenseman. In 48 games last season, he recorded 21 points and a plus-14 rating, averaging 19:15 of ice time in the process.

McDonagh had high-end defensive results in 2024-25, but those took a step back last season. His all-around game is good enough to make up for it, however.

Honorable Mentions: Patrick Kane, Alex Killorn

38 Years Old: Brad Marchand, Forward

Brad Marchand’s age started to show two seasons ago, but then he went on an impeccable playoff run and won the Stanley Cup. The 2025-26 campaign saw him bring out that vintage offense again, recording 27 goals and as many assists in 52 games on an injured Florida Panthers team.

Marchand isn’t the two-way mastermind he used to be, but he’s been a pivotal offensive contributor in Florida. Even at 38 years old, the wheels haven’t fallen off.

Honorable Mentions: Claude Giroux, Jordan Staal

39 Years Old: Sidney Crosby, Forward

It’s hard to believe that Sidney Crosby is 39 years old, but here we are. The Penguins legend’s career may not last for much longer, though he could play for as long as he wants. His overall impact is still elite—it’s not a reputation thing.

Crosby recorded 74 points in 68 games last season, now finding himself 239 regular-season points short of the illustrious 2,000 mark. He only needs 33 points to reach that total for his regular-season and playoff career, so he’ll get there in 2026-27, barring injury.

Honorable Mentions: Mats Zuccarello, Kris Letang

40 Years Old: Evgeni Malkin, Forward

Evgeni Malkin played an important role in the Penguins returning to the postseason. He recorded 61 points in 56 games, showcasing strong even-strength offensive and power-play results. The defense was a con, but that’s to be expected from someone his age.

Malkin’s time in the NHL will likely come to an end within the next few seasons (maybe when Crosby decides to hang up the skates, if I had to guess). He’s had a legendary career and continues to impress.

Honorable Mentions: N/A

41 Years Old: Alex Ovechkin, Forward

Alex Ovechkin reached the 30-goal mark for the 20^th time, despite his playing career spanning through three shortened seasons and a lockout in 2004-05. The Washington Capitals captain had 32 goals and as many assists last season, proving he still has the ability to score.

That said, Ovechkin’s all-situations impact returned to 2023-24 levels after an encouraging previous campaign. It’s a lot to ask of him at this stage, but improving in areas outside of pure finishing will be key for Washington’s success.

Honorable Mention: Brent Burns, Corey Perry

The NHL has superstar talent at a variety of ages. The groups between 24 and 31 years old seem to have the best players on display, but stars are everywhere.

Advanced stats courtesy of Evolving-Hockey (not explicitly mentioned, but used to help compile this list), Hockey Stats