The 2025 National Hockey League season is around the corner, and we believe it’ll be among the most exciting seasons in the history of the NHL. Seasoned players like Nathan MacKinnon and breakout young stars like Michael Misa are expected to keep us entertained with their incredible performances in the next nine months.
Sharks Rookie Forward Michael Misa – Photo by Jack Lima
There’s so much talent on display right now. That’s why punters on non-GamStop betting sites, and fantasy league players, are following the 2025 NHL season closely to see which players and teams will dominate. In this write-up, we have discussed the top five players making headlines this 2025 season, highlighting their stats and past performances. Read on!
1. Matthew Schaefer – New York Islanders
Despite playing fewer than 20 games in the 2024-25 season, Schaefer was ranked No. 1 among North American skaters, which is very uncommon. Unfortunately, the defenceman broke his clavicle on 27 December at the 2025 World Junior Championship, which forced him to play only 17 games. Even with limited ice time, his impact was strong enough to keep him at the top of the draft rankings.
The 18-year-old had already proven himself before suffering a clavicle injury. He recorded six points in five games at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in 2024. The performance earned him a gold medal.
Moreover, he was named to the OHL First All-Rookie Team in 2023-24, after posting 17 points (3 goals, 14 assists) in 56 games.
2. Ivan Demidov – Montreal Canadiens
Demidov is among the top offensive talents in the NHL. He has recorded 49 points (19 goals, 30 assists) in 65 games while playing for SKA St Petersburg in the 2024-25 season. He broke Kirill Kaprizov’s record of 42 points for the most points in a season by an under-20 player.
The forward signed his entry-level contract with the Montreal Canadiens on 8 April 2025, and proved his worth six days later when he scored one goal and an assist. We expect him to have an impact in the 2025 NHL. Before signing with the Montreal Canadiens, Demidov had registered 60 points (28 goals, 37 assists) in 30 games during the 2023-24 season in Russia’s top junior league.
3. Nathan MacKinnon – Colorado Avalanche
MacKinnon joined the Colorado Avalanche in 2013, at age 18, and since then, he has continued to be the driving force behind the Colorado Avalanche. He earned the 2024 Hart Trophy. This award is given to the NHL’s most valuable player each year. MacKinnon recorded 140 points (51 goals, 81 assists) in 82 games to earn it.
He is known for his elite offensive production, which helped Colorado return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs after finishing last in the 2016-17 NHL season. He was the first rookie to notch three points in his postseason debut after recording three assists in Game 1 of Colorado’s first-round series against the Minnesota Wild.
Between 2024 and 2025, MacKinnon put up a solid 116 points (32 goals and 84 assists) in 79 games. Looking at his past three seasons, he had at least 111 points in each season.
4. Connor McDavid – Edmonton Oilers
McDavid was the number-one pick in the 2015 NHL Draft. He has continued to dominate in the subsequent seasons with his impressive point production, having won the Canadian Hockey League Player of the Year and OHL awards in the 2014-15 season. At the time, he was playing for the Erie Otters, where he recorded an OHL-best plus-60 rating and scored an impressive 44 goals.
McDavid has won multiple trophies, including five Art Ross Trophies and three Hart Memorial Trophies. He is known for his uncanny on-ice vision and extraordinary acceleration, abilities which helped him provide plenty of highlights throughout his career.
Apart from leading the league with 100 points (30 goals, 70 assists) in 2016-17, McDavid helped the Oilers participate in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2006. Most recently, McDavid in Stanley Cup final headlines has marked a new chapter in his career, as he continues to build one of the most impressive resumes in modern hockey. This milestone cements his status not just as a regular-season standout, but as a leader capable of delivering deep playoff success.
5. Michael Misa – San Jose Sharks
Misa is famous for his incredible rush pattern and his ability to speed past opponents. At just 18 years old, he is already dominating as a centre. He signed a three-year contract with the San Jose Sharks in 2025, and his stellar performance saw him get selected No. 2 overall in the 2025 NHL Draft.
He had an incredible 2024-25 season, leading the entire OHL with 134 points (62 goals and 72 assists) across 65 games (that’s an average of 2 points per game). Furthermore, he was even voted the ‘Smartest Player’ in a coaches’ poll for the Western Conference. As rising stars like Misa attract growing attention, sponsorship trends in hockey are increasingly influenced by young talent and their marketability. The centre has also won the Red Tilson Trophy and the Eddie Powers Trophy.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 NHL campaign continues to spark conversations as breakout rookies and veterans look forward to crafting defining stories. A player like Misa has stated that their main aim is to play in the NHL this season. Schaefer is also pushing to make it. He noted that he feels ‘so much more ready’ after his summer workouts. Let’s wait and see what possibilities the 2025 season will bring.
You must be logged in to post a comment.