Which NHL Teams Have The Best Group Of Forwards?

As Adam Proteau lists the NHL's best teams at each main position, he turns to analyze the league's top groups of forwards based on overall talent and depth.

As we near the beginning of the NHL’s 2024-25 season, there’s no better time to look at which teams have the top group of talent at each major position.

We started this brief THN.com series by examining the NHL’s best defense corps, and today, we’re pinpointing the teams who have the most elite talent at forward. In reverse order:

Honorary Mentions: Carolina Hurricanes, New York Rangers, Nashville Predators, Florida Panthers

The Maple Leafs’ ‘Core Four’ of Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner and John Tavares is still one of the most dangerous in the NHL. Although Toronto’s wing depth took a hit with the departure of veteran Tyler Bertuzzi this summer, Buds GM Brad Treliving has done very well in low-cost free-agent acquisitions to bulk up Toronto’s talent at forward, especially if PTO players Max Pacioretty and Steven Lorentz sign contracts.

The Leafs will have to trim some forwards to be salary cap-compliant when the regular season begins, but they’ll have solid depth in the AHL, including Alexander Nylander, Nikita Grebenkin, Fraser Minten and Alex Steeves. Few teams are as deep up front as Toronto is, and that should give them an advantage over opponents as the season unfolds.

Vancouver had one of the most potent offenses in the NHL last season, and they’ve only added to their group of forwards this summer with Jake DeBrusk, Danton Heinen, Daniel Sprong and Kiefer Sherwood. Canucks GM Patrik Allvin has done yeoman’s work in stacking his team with talented forwards, and Vancouver will once again be a team to reckon with this year.

From stars J.T. Miller, Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser and Conor Garland to supporting cast members Dakota Joshua, Pius Suter and Teddy Blueger, the Canucks have terrific depth and balance. They’ve got admirable internal competition, insurance in case of injuries, and an overall collection of forwards that can rival just about any other team.

We rated the Devils as the team with the best defense corps this season, and their forwards are also tremendous. New Jersey’s presumptive top line of Jesper Bratt, Jack Hughes and Timo Meier is elite, and their second line of Tomas Tatar, Nico Hischier and Dawson Mercer is also well above average. But Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald addressed his team’s third and fourth lines with the acquisitions of Stefan Noesen and Paul Cotter.

At the end of the day, New Jersey can run-and-gun with any team. The Devils are a front-runner to win a Stanley Cup, and so long as their group of forwards stays intact, they’ve got what it takes to become champions. New Jersey’s all-around balance makes the squad one of the toughest, if not the toughest squad there is this season. And their forwards are the chief reason for their intimidating depth.

Few teams, if any, could keep up with the Oilers’ forwards last season. New Edmonton GM Stan Bowman only made that group better this summer with the signings of veteran left winger Jeff Skinner and right wing Viktor Arvidsson and the trade acquisition of former Canucks left winger Vasily Podkolzin.

The Oilers now have four powerful lines, and their top six is the NHL’s best. Defense will still be a crucial area of concern for Edmonton, but with superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl leading the way, the Oilers know their forwards are the equal of virtually every NHL team. Staying healthy will be key for them, but that’s true of every team. Edmonton’s overall skill level up front is the envy of most opponents, and that’s not likely to change this season.

Dallas lost key component Joe Pavelski to retirement this summer, but the Stars still have seven forwards who scored at least 21 goals last season. That’s remarkable and a measure of Dallas' Grade-A talent up front.

The Stars’ top nine forwards could be top six forwards on most NHL teams and their new-look fourth line includes worker bees Sam Steel and Colin Blackwell. There are really no deficiencies anywhere at forward, and although their defense corps isn’t quite as highly ranked as their forwards, Dallas heads into the season as a Cup favorite because of their talent up front.

The Stars’ mix of young and old forwards is as potent as it gets in the NHL, starring Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, Wyatt Johnston, Matt Duchene Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn. That's before even adding rookies Logan Stankoven and Mavrik Bourque in the mix and 53-point scorer Mason Marchment. Even if Dallas has to deal with injuries – Robertson is recovering from a cyst removal but is back practising – they should be set. Their balance at forward is the envy of the NHL, and if they do win it all, the Stars will get there because their forwards led the way.

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