An interesting list dropped on NHL.com ranking the top-10 forwards under 25 years old. As many might have expected, Connor Bedard made the list. He ranked at number six. So who was above and below him? Leading the list was Tim Stutzle, followed by Jack Hughes, Matt Boldy, Wyatt Johnston, and Cole Caufield. Behind Bedard, to some people's surprise, is Macklin Celebrini, Matthew Knies, Seth Jarvis, and Matvei Michkov. Stutzle is 23 years old, has played five seasons, has a 39-goal season, a 90-point season, and has recorded at least 70 points in three consecutive seasons. Hughes is 24 years old and has played six seasons. Unfortunately his health has been a factor, having played in more than 62 games just once. Despite that, he has four consecutive over point-per-game seasons and a 43-goal, 99-point seasons under his belt. He also has an eight place and 18th place finish in Hart Trophy voting. Boldy is 24 and has played four seasons in the NHL. He is a goal-scorer and has scored at least 27 goals in all three full seasons he's played. He has two-way capabilities as indicated by a Selke Trophy vote in 2022-23 and has progressively recorded more points every season. Johnston, at only 22 years old, is a pure goal-scorer. He's recorded back-to-back 30+ goal seasons already and finished with over 70 points last season. He continues to get better each season as well. Now that Caufield is staying healthy, he is producing like many though he would. The 24-year-old just finished last season with 37 goals and 70 points, the highest for each in his four-year career. He has also improved each season. Next sits Bedard, who turns 20 years old today (July 17). He is the second-youngest player on this list and the second first overall pick to this point. On a very bad Chicago Blackhawks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks] team with a lack of consistent or great linemates, he has led his team with 20+ goals and 60+ points in his first two NHL seasons. Once he gets linemate or consistency, he will break through even more. Celebrini impressed as a rookie. Some might say more than Bedard as the San Jose Sharks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/san-jose-sharks] were bad as well last season, finishing last. He scored 25 goals and 63 points in 70 games, two more goals and four fewer points than Bedard in 12 fewer games, plus his defensive game was better. This is a comparison that will continue their entire careers as they are first overall picks one year apart and the teams have similar paths back to success led by them. Knies is a different type of player than what we've seen on this top-10 list so far. At 22 years old, his career hasn't taken a similar path as well. He played his second full season in the NHL and made a massive jump in every regard, finishing with 29 goals and 58 points. He plays a physical game though. Jarvis made Team Canada at 23 years old and has been getting better each season. Each of the last two seasons he has finished with 32 or 33 goals and 67 points. The young winger also finished in the top-12 in Selke Trophy voting each of the last two seasons, plus he plays physically, especially for his size. The final ranked name in the top-10 is Michkov, drafted the same year as Bedard. His skill was very close to Bedard's, but not coming over to North America in his first eligible season made him drop. He was a rookie last season like Celebrini and Michkov finished with 26 goals and 63 points. He is a sniper and has lots of potential. There were some more interesting names left off this list that there will be disagreement on, but it is a young ranking and a lot will change over the course of their careers. Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks/] team site to stay updated on the latest news, game day coverage, player features, and more.
