Every spring, some of the best and most veteran NHL players grab the headlines during their quests to capture the Stanley Cup. However, these superstars play alongside younger players, chomping at the bit to carve out their own legacies, equally as hungry to win a championship.
Here’s a look at the best players in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs under the age of 25.
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Anton Lundell – Florida Panthers (22)
Anton Lundell is one of the few skaters on this list still skating in the third round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. After producing 35 points in 78 games in the regular season (.44 points per game), he’s almost doubled his totals to nine points in 11 games (.81 points per game) through the first two rounds and has been a key role player for the Florida Panthers, who are headed to the Eastern Conference Final.
Seth Jarvis – Carolina Hurricanes (21)
After scoring a combined 31 goals in his first two NHL seasons, Seth Jarvis put the NHL on notice with 33 goals in 2023-24. He didn’t slow down in the postseason either, compiling five goals and nine points in 11 games, before the Hurricanes were eliminated on the second round. Jarvis will receive a hefty raise from the Hurricanes as a restricted free agent this offseason after his recent performance.
Alexis Lafreniere – New York Rangers (22)
Even though it’s taken four seasons for Alexis Lafreniere to find his footing in the NHL, the No. 1 pick in the 2020 draft had a breakout year with 28 goals and 57 points for the New York Rangers. He collected just nine points in his first 27 career Stanley Cup Playoff games, but in 10 games so far this postseason, Lafrenière already has 10 points to continue his best campaign to date.
Quinn Hughes – Vancouver Canucks (24)
Late in 2023, the Vancouver Canucks promoted Quinn Hughes to captain. Under his leadership, they won the Pacific Division in 2023-24 and were a contender for the Presidents’ Trophy. Meanwhile, with 92 points in 82 games, he was the highest-scoring defenseman in the NHL and is the favorite to win the Norris Trophy. He added 10 assists in 13 postseason games before the Canucks were eliminated in the second round.
Andrei Svechnikov – Carolina Hurricanes (23)
Andrei Svechnikov is one of the best young skaters in the NHL, yet injuries continue to hinder his chances of becoming a superstar. Despite missing 59 games over the past two seasons with the Hurricanes, he’s still collected 39 goals and 107 points, producing at a point-per-game level in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs before a second-round exit.
Wyatt Johnston – Dallas Stars (20)
Wyatt Johnston was a late first-round draft pick who’s scored 56 goals in his first two NHL seasons. He’s also emerged as a clutch playoff performer, with four of his postseason 11 goals of the past two years being game-winners. On a veteran-laden team with the Dallas Stars, Johnston has emerged as a reliable young star.
Jason Robertson – Dallas Stars (24)
Jason Robertson broke through in 2022-23, rewriting several of the Stars franchise records held by Hall of Famer Mike Modano. Although he didn’t produce at the same level this season, his performance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs has ramped up with three goals and 12 points in 13 games heading into the Western Conference Final. As a two-time 40-goal scorer, Robertson has the skills to win the Rocket Richard Trophy one day.
Miro Heiskanen – Dallas Stars (24)
Miro Heiskanen debuted in the NHL at 19 and has already earned votes to finish in the top 15 for the Norris Trophy three times in six seasons. Like Johnston, he is one of the hidden gems on the Stars and should be a contender for the best defenseman award for the next decade. During his second consecutive trip to the Western Conference Final, he’s scored 13 points in 13 games so far.
Cale Makar – Colorado Avalanche (25)
Cale Makar is one of the youngest defenders to win the Calder, Norris and Conn Smythe Trophies, and the Stanley Cup, crossing each of the list before age 24. Despite playing only 11 playoff games in 2023-24, he netted 15 points and is the only player not from the Edmonton Oilers to rank in the top five (fifth) in postseason scoring through two rounds.
Evan Bouchard – Edmonton Oilers (24)
Evan Bouchard did not earn a nomination for the Norris Trophy this season despite averaging a point per game in the regular season with 82 points in 81 games. Like his Oilers teammates Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, Bouchard is tearing it up in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with 20 points in just 12 games, heading into the Western Conference Final. In fact, he’s thrived a big-time playoff performer for three seasons now, with 46 points in 40 postseason games.