By There are a plethora of excellent forwards in the National Hockey League (NHL) and all of them possess the skills to deliver for their squads and are recognized for their goal-scoring techniques, ideation, playmaking, etc are what make a good forwards. Here are the best 10 forwards in the NHL you need to know.
1. Connor McDavid
Born: January 13th, 1997 (age 26)
Place of birth: Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
Nationality: Canadian
Position: Center/Forward
NHL team: Edmonton Oilers
Connor McDavid is a Canadian pro ice hockey forward who plays in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Edmonton Oilers and is also currently the captain of this squad. McDavid is known for his speed, wit, and ability to find an open space and score a goal. He is a threat to opponents and it’s no wonder why McDavid is No.1 on this list.
2. Nathan MacKinnon
Born: September 1st, 1995 (age 27)
Place of birth: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Nationality: Canadian
Position: Center/Forward
NHL team: Colorado Avalanche
Nathan MacKinnon is a Canadian professional ice hockey center/forward who plays in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Colorado Avalanche. He also currently serves as an alternate captain for the team. Often referred to as “Nate the Great”, “The Dogg” and “Winnin’ MacKinnon”, the avalanche forward is widely known as one of the finest hockey players on the planet and is recognized for being an excellent playmaker in the postseason. He along with his team the Avalanche won the Stanley Cup in 2022.
3. Sidney Crosby
Born: August 7th, 1987 (age 35)
Place of birth: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Nationality: Canadian
Position: Center/Forward
NHL team: Pittsburgh Penguins
Often referred to as “Sid the Kid” and “The Next One”, Sidney Crosby is a Canadian pro ice hockey center/forward who is a part of the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Being drafted as the first overall pick by the Penguins in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Crosby is highly deemed as one of the greatest ice hockey players to ever play the game.
4. Leon Draisaitl
Born: October 27th, 1995 (age 27)
Place of birth: Cologne, Germany
Nationality: German
Position: Center/Forward
NHL team: Edmonton Oilers
Leon Draidaitl is considered one of the finest centers/forwards in the NHL. He was the first German to have received the Art Ross Trophy in 2020 as the highest goal scorer in the NHL. Leon also received the Hart Memorial Trophy as the regular season Most Valuable Player (MVP), and also the Ted Lindsay Award.
5. Nikita Kucherov
Born: June 17th, 1993 (age 29)
Place of birth: Maykop, Russia
Nationality: Russian
Position: Forward
NHL team: Tampa Bay Lightning
Regarded as one of the finest ice hockey players, Nikita Kucherov is a two-time Stanley Cup winner. His other achievements also include winning the Hart Memorial Trophy and Art Ross Trophy.
6. Alex Ovechkin
Born: September 17th, 1985 (age 37)
Place of birth: Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
Nationality: Russian
Position: Forward
NHL team: Washington Capitals
Often referred to as “Ovi” and “the Great Eight”, Alex Ovechkin is highly deemed as one of the grandest goal scorers of all time behind Wayne Gretzky for all-time goal scoring. He holds so many amazing achievements in his professional career. Ovechkin currently plays for the Capitals in the NHL.
7. David Pastrnak
Born: May 25th, 1996 (age 26)
Place of birth: Havířov, Czech Republic
Nationality: Czech
Position: Forward
NHL team: Boston Bruins
Nicknamed “Pasta”, David Pastrnak is a Czech pro ice hockey forward who plays in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Boston Bruins. He is a three-time NHL All-Star, 2020 NHL All-Star Game MVP, winner of the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy in 2020, and NHL First All-Star Team to name a few of his achievements.
8. Artemi Panarin
Born: October 30th, 1991 (age 31)
Place of birth: Korkino, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
Nationality: Russian
Position: Forward/Left Winger
NHL team: New York Rangers
Often referred to as the “Breadman”, or just “Bread”, Artemi Panarin is a Russian pro ice hockey forward/left winger who plays in the NHL for the New York Rangers. He also serves as the alternate captain for the Rangers.
9. Patrick Kane
Born: November 19th, 1988 (age 34)
Place of birth: Buffalo, New York, U.S.
Nationality: American
Position: Forward/Right Wing
NHL team: Chicago Blackhawks
Patrick Kane is an American pro ice hockey forward/ right winger who plays in the NHL for the Chicago Blackhawks and currently serves as the alternate captain for the team. Kane is a three-time Stanley Cup winner as a part of the Blackhawks.
10. Auston Matthews
Born: September 17th, 1997 (age 25)
Place of birth: San Ramon, California, U.S.
Nationality: American
Position: Forward/Center
NHL team: Toronto Maple Leafs
Auston Matthews is an American ice hockey center/forward who plays in the NHL for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He is considered one of the finest ice hockey players and also received the Ted Lindsay Award in 2022 for most outstanding player.
