NHL: Young teams on the rise

Across the league, these young talents are making headlines as bright spots on teams that haven’t been contenders in years. Which of these teams will be the next to make a run?

San Jose Sharks:

Across the Bay Area, hockey fans unite under one slogan: “The Future is teal.” The Sharks are the poster children for up-and-coming teams with an exciting young core. First overall pick Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, William Eklund and Michael Misa are giving Sharks fans hope after years in the basement.

Celebrini led the team last season with 63 points, proving he’s fit for the league at age 19. Tyler Toffoli, age 33, led the team with 30 goals. He and fellow veteran Barclay Goodrow provide leadership, but can also keep up with the young guys.

Unfortunately for them, hope only gets you so far. Last year, the Sharks posted a league-worst 52 points in Celebini’s rookie season. The Sharks still haven’t won this year, sitting at 0-3-2, which raises the question: Is the future really teal?

Chicago Blackhawks:

The Hawks are led by another number-one pick in Connor Bedard, who has posted 20-plus goals and 60-plus points in each of his two seasons so far. Despite their nickname, “the Chicago Bedards,” there are other players who make an impact for this team.

Bedard is joined by fellow youngsters Frank Nazar, Artyom Levshunov and Lukas Reichel, as well as established NHL names like Nick Foligno, Ryan Donato, Teuvo Teräväinen and Tyler Bertuzzi.

Last year, they finished last in their division with 61 points, but this year they're off to a hot start at 3-2-2. Hawks fans still cherish memories of their 2010s dynasty. Can this new core bring them back to the glory days?

Anaheim Ducks:

The Ducks have been in this conversation for years with Trevor Zegras, who dazzled with behind-the-net antics like flip passes and Michigan goals. Despite these SportsCenter plays, they found no success with Zegras, so they shipped him off to Philadelphia.

The new kid in town, Beckett Sennecke, is already lighting it up with four points in five games. He’s accompanied by Leo Carlsson, Mason McTavish and Cutter Gauthier, who all made headlines at the World Juniors.

Even though they're known for their flashiness, the Ducks can still play a physical game. Radko Gudas, Jacob Trouba and Frank Vatrano are ready to punish anyone who tries to target their young stars.

Their big offseason move to acquire Chris Kreider seems to be working out, as he’s put up five points in as many games. Finally, Alex Killorn’s experience with Tampa Bay’s championship teams will help once the Ducks get over the hump and make the playoffs.

Montreal Canadiens:

The Habs are perhaps the safest pick to be the team of the future. They have a whole crop of young stars who deserve individual profiles here.

Nick Suzuki, the 26-year-old captain, blossomed last season with 89 points. A good captain always helps his teammates, and Suzuki loves to rack up assists, with 246 in 462 career games, and nine already this season.

His playmaking abilities at center provide great opportunities for his wingers, Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky

Caufield is the face of the team, leading them in goals last year with 37. The Hobey Baker winner is always in the right place at the right time. When he’s not firing off one-timers, he’s making defensemen and goalies look silly with his stick handling.

Slafkovsky, the Slovakian sensation, loves to hang out in front of the net. His 6'3, 225-pound frame is great for screening goalies and battling for pucks down low. He also has a knack for scoring over the goalie’s shoulder.

Sending the puck to the point is usually a safety-oriented play, meant to keep possession, but for Montreal, it often leads to a goal. Lane Hutson logged a whopping 60 assists in his rookie season. He provides the creative passing that defines the modern game.

Finally, Ivan Demidov is the newest addition to this young core. He lit up the Russian junior league in 2023-24 with 60 points in 30 games. He holds the record for most points in a KHL season by an under-20 player with 49. The talent around him should help with the transition to the NHL

The Canadiens are the blueprint for young teams, as they secured the last playoff spot in the East last year. Expectations are high for this season, but they haven’t disappointed so far, sitting at 5-2-0 and second place in the Atlantic division.

The decision is clear: the future is bleu, blanc et rouge.

Gabe Eisenberg is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email gfe5080@psu.edu