Top 50 Best NHL Forwards in 2025 – Ranked

The 2025 High Noon list highlights the best forwards in the NHL, based on performance, impact, and consistency over the past three years. From proven veterans to emerging stars, these players define the offensive firepower in today’s game. Starting from #50, here is the full ranking.

50. Tim Stützle – Ottawa Senators

The Ottawa Senators’ young star has quickly become a face of their rebuild. His dynamic skating and offensive creativity make him one of the most exciting players to watch in the league.

49. Cole Caufield – Montreal Canadiens

Caufield’s elite finishing ability has established him as a cornerstone for Montreal. Despite his size, his knack for scoring and big-game presence give him a unique edge.

48. Travis Konecny – Philadelphia Flyers

Konecny brings speed, grit, and scoring touch to the Flyers. He continues to be a reliable offensive force while playing with relentless energy.

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47. Gabriel Vilardi – Winnipeg Jets

Vilardi has blossomed into a complete forward, using his size and skill to make an impact. His two-way play and scoring touch have elevated him to a new level.

46. Jordan Kyrou – St. Louis Blues

Kyrou is one of the NHL’s fastest players, capable of turning games with his speed. His development into a consistent scoring winger makes him a key piece for the Blues.

45. Nikolaj Ehlers – Winnipeg Jets

Ehlers brings elite speed and creativity to Winnipeg’s attack. He can beat defenders wide and provides consistent secondary scoring.

44. Seth Jarvis – Carolina Hurricanes

Jarvis has emerged as a vital part of Carolina’s young core. His versatility and tenacity allow him to excel in multiple roles.

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43. Alex Tuch – Buffalo Sabres

Tuch combines size, strength, and skill to dominate along the boards and in front of the net. His presence is crucial to Buffalo’s offensive depth.

42. Matt Duchene – Dallas Stars

Duchene remains a reliable veteran presence with scoring instincts. His playmaking ability and skating continue to keep him relevant among top forwards.

41. Brady Tkachuk – Ottawa Senators

Tkachuk’s blend of physicality and offensive skill makes him Ottawa’s leader. His fearless style energizes teammates and frustrates opponents.

40. Dylan Larkin – Detroit Red Wings

The Red Wings’ captain is the heartbeat of Detroit’s rebuild. His leadership and speed-driven game provide consistency and inspiration.

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39. Mark Stone – Vegas Golden Knights

Stone is one of the best two-way forwards in hockey, excelling in both offensive production and defensive responsibility. His intelligence on the ice is unmatched.

38. Zach Hyman – Edmonton Oilers

Hyman thrives in high-pressure roles, bringing relentless forechecking and goal-scoring ability. He continues to be a perfect complement to elite linemates.

37. Nick Suzuki – Montreal Canadiens

Suzuki leads Montreal with poise beyond his years. His two-way game and playmaking ability have solidified him as a franchise center.

36. Valeri Nichushkin – Colorado Avalanche

Nichushkin is a powerful presence who excels in driving possession and scoring timely goals. His physical game adds balance to Colorado’s forward group.

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35. Clayton Keller – Arizona Coyotes

Keller’s speed and creativity make him Arizona’s offensive engine. He consistently finds ways to produce despite playing on a rebuilding team.

34. Roope Hintz – Dallas Stars

Hintz combines size and speed to dominate in transition. His chemistry with Dallas’ top forwards makes him a dangerous weapon.

33. Jesper Bratt – New Jersey Devils

Bratt’s quickness and vision make him one of New Jersey’s most valuable playmakers. His consistency has helped fuel the Devils’ rise.

32. John Tavares – Toronto Maple Leafs

The Maple Leafs’ captain remains a reliable offensive contributor. His leadership and net-front presence keep him among the elite.

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31. Robert Thomas – St. Louis Blues

Thomas has become one of the best young playmakers in the NHL. His vision and passing ability drive St. Louis’ offense.

30. Adrian Kempe – Los Angeles Kings

Kempe has developed into a consistent scoring threat for the Kings. His speed and shot make him a top weapon in Los Angeles’ forward core.

29. Brandon Hagel – Tampa Bay Lightning

Hagel’s rise has been remarkable, contributing with both offense and tenacity. His versatility makes him a valuable

28. Nico Hischier – New Jersey Devils

Hischier’s leadership and two-way play make him one of the league’s most underrated stars. His ability to shut down opponents while producing offense adds balance to New Jersey’s lineup.

27. Filip Forsberg – Nashville Predators

Forsberg is a natural goal scorer with a powerful shot and excellent offensive instincts. His consistency keeps him as one of Nashville’s most reliable weapons.

26. J.T. Miller – Vancouver Canucks

Miller’s blend of physical play and offensive creativity makes him indispensable for Vancouver. He thrives in all situations, from even strength to special teams.

25. Mark Scheifele – Winnipeg Jets

Scheifele remains one of the most dependable centers in the NHL. His combination of size, intelligence, and finishing ability keeps him in the top echelon of forwards.

24. Aleksander Barkov – Florida Panthers

Barkov is one of the league’s premier two-way centers, dominating on both sides of the puck. His calm and steady presence is a cornerstone for the Panthers’ success.

23. Tage Thompson – Buffalo Sabres

Thompson’s breakout has made him one of the most feared scorers in the game. His size and shot release create constant mismatches against defenders.

22. Sebastian Aho – Carolina Hurricanes

Aho is the heartbeat of the Hurricanes’ offense with his speed and scoring touch. His leadership and relentless competitiveness continue to shine.

21. Jason Robertson – Dallas Stars

Robertson’s scoring ability and hockey IQ have made him one of the league’s brightest young stars. His consistency around the net is unmatched for his age.

20. Sidney Crosby – Pittsburgh Penguins

Even in the later stages of his career, Crosby continues to produce at an elite level. His playmaking and vision remain among the best in hockey.

19. Kyle Connor – Winnipeg Jets

Connor is one of the purest goal scorers in the NHL, with a quick release and lethal accuracy. His ability to find open ice makes him a constant scoring threat.

18. Alex Ovechkin – Washington Capitals

Ovechkin remains a legendary presence in the league, still terrorizing goalies with his trademark shot. His leadership and competitive fire inspire the Capitals.

17. Jake Guentzel – Tampa Bay Lightning

Guentzel’s knack for scoring in critical moments makes him a dangerous forward. His versatility allows him to thrive alongside elite talent.

16. Matthew Tkachuk – Florida Panthers

Tkachuk brings a unique combination of skill and edge, thriving in high-pressure situations. He is a centerpiece of Florida’s physical and dynamic style.

15. William Nylander – Toronto Maple Leafs

Nylander has evolved into one of the league’s most dynamic wingers. His skating and creativity make him a constant offensive threat for Toronto.

14. Jack Eichel – Vegas Golden Knights

Eichel’s size, skill, and shot make him a complete offensive weapon. His resurgence in Vegas has reestablished him among the NHL’s elite centers.

13. Sam Reinhart – Florida Panthers

Reinhart’s consistency in both scoring and playmaking makes him invaluable. His all-around contributions have been vital to Florida’s success.

12. Mitch Marner – Toronto Maple Leafs

Marner’s vision and passing ability are among the best in the NHL. His ability to elevate teammates with his creativity solidifies him as a top-tier playmaker.

11. Brayden Point – Tampa Bay Lightning

Point’s speed and goal-scoring ability make him a nightmare for defenses. His clutch performances in big games have cemented his reputation as an elite forward.

10. Mikko Rantanen – Colorado Avalanche

Rantanen’s combination of size, hands, and hockey sense makes him an unstoppable force. He remains a perfect complement to Colorado’s star-studded lineup.

9. Jack Hughes – New Jersey Devils

Hughes has blossomed into one of the league’s most electrifying playmakers. His creativity and speed make him the driving force of New Jersey’s offense.

8. Artemi Panarin – New York Rangers

Panarin’s finesse and vision allow him to dominate offensively. His consistency as a playmaker makes him a leader on one of the league’s most dynamic teams.

7. Auston Matthews – Toronto Maple Leafs

Matthews is the best goal scorer of his generation, with a release that few can match. His ability to create offense in any situation makes him one of the NHL’s most dangerous players.

6. David Pastrnak – Boston Bruins

Pastrnak continues to be a scoring machine for the Bruins. His ability to score from anywhere on the ice makes him one of the most lethal wingers in the league.

5. Kirill Kaprizov – Minnesota Wild

Kaprizov has quickly become the face of Minnesota hockey. His dazzling skill and creativity make him a constant highlight-reel threat.

4. Nikita Kucherov – Tampa Bay Lightning

Kucherov’s offensive brilliance and playmaking ability keep him among the very best. He remains the engine of Tampa Bay’s attack.

3. Nathan MacKinnon – Colorado Avalanche

MacKinnon’s explosiveness and power make him nearly impossible to contain. His combination of speed and strength defines his elite game.

2. Connor McDavid – Edmonton Oilers

McDavid continues to be the most dynamic player in hockey. His unmatched speed and skill make him the most feared offensive weapon in the world.

1. Leon Draisaitl – Edmonton Oilers

Draisaitl claims the top spot with his incredible consistency and offensive dominance. His ability to control games with both scoring and playmaking makes him the best forward in hockey right now.