CoreNHL's 10 Best Forwards From The 2024-25 NHL Season
CoreNHL's Michael Ostrower put together the model's 10 best forwards from the 2024-25 NHL season in terms of value brought per game.
Honorable Mentions
Brandon Hagel, Aleksander Barkov, Anthony Cirelli, Kyle Connor, Nico Hischier, and William Nylander
10. Kirill Kaprizov
Kirill Kaprizov (LW): 25 goals, 31 assists, 56 points in 41 games
Kaprizov appeared in just half of the Minnesota Wild’s 2024-25 regular season games, yet his production was pivotal in landing the team a spot in the playoffs.
His even strength production was stellar, ranking above the 85th percentile in goals, primary assists, and total points per 60 minutes.
Defensively, Kaprizov also impressed, ranking among the top six in goals against (2.6) and expected goals against (2.57) per 60 minutes at even strength on the Wild, per Natural Stat Trick.
As well, Kaprizov excelled against tougher competition, outscoring “elite” opponents by a margin of 10-2, according to PuckIQ.
His 83.3 goals percentage (G%) against elite competition ranked first on the Wild and fourth in the NHL (min. 100 TOI).
Due for a new contract following the 2025-26 season, Kaprizov’s next deal could land north of $14 million annually.
9. Auston Matthews
Auston Matthews (C): 33 goals, 45 assists, 78 points in 67 games
Matthews had a disappointing season by his standards, yet was still one of the best forwards in hockey.
His 1.5 individual expected goals per 60 minutes at even strength were far and away the highest in the NHL (min. 100 TOI), showing he was still generating scoring chances but was unable to finish
His defensive impact took a slight dip but still remained above the 50th percentile.
This likely stems from his ability to dominate possession and the defensive emphasis opposing coaches place when he is on the ice
Regardless, Matthews’ 2024-25 season was quite strong, even with the upper-body injury he struggled with in the fall.
8. Jordan Kyrou
Jordan Kyrou (RW): 36 goals, 34 assists, 70 points in 82 games
This might surprise some people, but St. Louis Blues forward Jordan Kyrou had a stellar 2024-25 season.
Kyrou is one of two forwards in this top-10 to rank above the 75th percentile in even-strength defense, and the only forward to do so while also ranking above the 90th percentile in even-strength offense.
Kyrou also thrived when facing elite competition, outscoring “elite” opponents 20-7 in nearly 350 minutes, good for a 74.1 G%, which was the 8th highest in the league.
Not to mention, Kyrou was pivotal in the breakout of Dylan Holloway, with the two spending over 600 minutes together at even strength.
When Robert Thomas missed time with a fractured ankle in the fall, Kyrou stepped up with three goals and five primary assists over 12 games to keep the offense afloat.
Kyrou also drew 44 penalty minutes and took just 20, netting the Blues value around 2.5 goals on penalty differential alone.
It is easy to harp on Kyrou’s high placement on this list, but the data reflects he was one of the most valuable and impactful forwards in hockey.
7. Jack Hughes
Jack Hughes (C): 27 goals, 43 assists, 70 points in 62 games
Unsurprisingly, New Jersey Devils superstar Jack Hughes was among the league’s best forwards in 2024-25 when healthy.
The 2019 No. 1 pick put the Devils in contention for the top spot in the Metropolitan Division before his season-ending injury on March 2.
Despite this, his efforts gave his team enough points in the standings to still creep in before falling to the Carolina Hurricanes in Round 1.
6. David Pastrnak
David Pastrnak (RW): 43 goals, 63 assists, 106 points in 82 games
Boston Bruins superstar David Pastrnak, 28, was one of just six players to reach the 100-point threshold in 2024-25, and he did so on one of the league’s most disappointing teams.
Offensively, Pastrnak was one of the league’s best players at both even strength and the man advantage.
He did this with Morgan Geekie and Pavel Zacha as his most common linemates, too.
Despite this, Pastrnak falls short of the top five due to his defense.
Pastrnak is the only player below the 30th percentile in CoreNHL’s top-25 forwards ranked by total value.
His defensive impact has been on the decline, too, going from above the 75th percentile in 2020-21 and 2021-22, to around the 70th percentile in 2022-23, then below the 30th percentile each of the past two seasons.
While I cannot attest to whether the eye test matches this conclusion, it is evident his coaches believe this to be true, as Pastrnak virtually never starts his shifts in the defensive zone.
At even-strength, he started 79.01% of his shifts in the offensive zone, the seventh highest rate of all NHL skaters (min. 250 TOI).
Pastrnak’s placement is not to discredit his impact, and his placement would likely be higher had the Bruins put together a strong season, but the reality is his defense places him a tier below the top-five.
5. Connor McDavid
Connor McDavid (C): 26 goals, 74 assists, 100 points in 67 games
Connor McDavid is typically the best player in hockey, but his 2024-25 regular season underwhelmed.
The Edmonton Oilers captain was great, but not spectacular, at even strength, and he was not always the best Oiler on the ice.
This is by no means saying he had a poor season, but even Oilers fans would admit he had a down year.
That said, there should be no doubt he returns to his potential next season.
4. Nathan MacKinnon
Nathan MacKinnon (C): 32 goals, 84 assists, 116 points in 79 games
Perhaps a surprise to be out of the top three is Colorado Avalanche captain Nathan MacKinnon.
MacKinnon’s year was a step back from his 2023-24 Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award winning season.
Yet, he continued developing his defensive game, setting his highest defensive impact over the past four seasons.
The difference between MacKinnon and the top three is minuscule, but can be found in his rare defensive-zone starts and (slightly) underwhelming power play production.
3. Sam Reinhart
Sam Reinhart (RW): 39 goals, 42 assists, 81 points in 79 games
Sam Reinhart had far and away the highest defensive impact of all forwards in this top-10, doing so with over 17 more percentage points than the next closest player.
Reinhart is a rare case of elite offensive production paired with elite defensive production, offering an incredibly valuable skill set.
His 459 minutes against elite competition ranked him in the top-10 of all NHL forwards, and while he has just a 50 G% in this metric, his time on ice usage reflects the trust of coach Paul Maurice.
While the NHL prioritizes offense, Reinhart’s defensive impact in 2024-25 propelled him into the top three, and potentially his first career Selke Trophy.
2. Nikita Kucherov
Nikita Kucherov (RW): 37 goals, 84 assists, 121 points in 78 games
Nikita Kucherov continued to show he is one of hockey’s best players.
The Tampa Bay Lightning forward had his third consecutive season with 30+ goals, 80+ assists and 110+ points.
He led the league in points and is a finalist for both the Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award.
However, his defense, while improved, was still league average, leaving him just shy of the top spot in this list.
1. Leon Draisaitl
Leon Draisaitl (C): 52 goals, 54 assists, 106 points in 71 games
Despite missing 11 games, Leon Draisaitl’s 52 goals led the NHL in 2024-25, beating out his next closest competitor, William Nylander, by seven goals.
To no surprise, the Oilers forward was among the league’s best in nearly every offensive category, and his defensive impact was the best of his career.
While it was close, Draisaitl edged Kucherov to earn the top spot on this list.
You can check out more of Michael’s work at The Hockey News, follow him on X (michaelost13), Instagram (CoreNHL) or contact him directly at Michael.ostrower@gmail.com
