We’re finally at the start of the 2024-25 NHL season — yes, the New Jersey Devils are already 2-0, but the vast majority of the league will get underway by Wednesday.
This is a list of people who will shape the NHL season. In a similar vein to the Hockey Hall of Fame, this list includes players, management, builders and journalists who will impact the upcoming year. It’s not necessarily a list of the best players — although it includes two of the past three Hart Trophy winners — but rather those who will meaningfully shape the season’s narrative, or may have some greater entertainment value.
Without further ado, here are 25 people who will shape the 2024-25 NHL season.
Players
Connor Bedard, Chicago Blackhawks
Bedard entered the league as the most anticipated prospect since Auston Matthews and he largely delivered on the hype in an injury-truncated season. Chicago’s resident star recorded 22 goals and 61 points in 68 games, carrying a team in the infancy of a prolonged rebuild. Bedard’s one-of-one release and ability to navigate small spaces makes him a unique weapon. What’s in store for Bedard during his second year? We’re expecting a major leap, which isn’t out of line for someone with Bedard’s astronomical production at every level of his career thus far.
Sergei Bobrovsky, Florida Panthers
In this corner of the internet, Bobrovsky should’ve won the Conn Smythe Trophy but we’re not dwelling on it too much and neither is the 36-year-old. Bobrovsky solidified his Hall of Fame credentials last year by winning his first-ever Stanley Cup and when he’s at the top of his game, as he was last year, he can seem downright unbeatable at times. Florida’s league-best defensive structure was aided by some elite goaltending. If the Panthers are to make it back to their third consecutive Final, Bobrovsky’s ability to morph into an impenetrable shot-stopper on command will be the greatest reason why.
Macklin Celebrini, San Jose Sharks
Celebrini is the new face of the Sharks after being selected first overall and the hockey world can’t wait to get an extended look at the talented scorer. The 18-year-old was the wire-to-wire best player in his class last year, recording 32 goals and 64 points for Boston University in 38 games, becoming the youngest player to capture the Hobey Baker Award, granted to the NCAA’s best player. Celebrini and the Sharks are going to lose a lot of games, barring some major, unexpected developments, in the first stages of what will be an extensive rebuild. But they’re also going to be a lot of fun to watch, as young, offensive-minded teams tend to be.
Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning
Hedman is taking on a new role this year as he was named Tampa Bay’s captain, following Steven Stamkos’ departure in free agency. On the ice, Hedman may be facing more responsibility than ever, with Mikhail Sergachev off to the Utah Hockey Club, and he may be facing the most volume he ever has during his career. Winning can eventually take its toll as Tampa Bay’s depth has been depleted over the years due to cap complications and now Hedman, along with Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point and Andrei Vasilevskiy, among others, are tasked with maintaining a standard of excellence amid real flux.
Wyatt Johnston, Dallas Stars
Johnston emerged as one of the breakout stars of the 2023-24 campaign and he may only be scratching the surface of his potential. He turned 21 in May, recorded 32 goals and 65 points in 82 games, then followed it up with 10 goals and 16 points in 19 playoff games. Johnston proved he can be a game-breaking offensive talent on a Stars team that is firmly in win-now mode, always on the precipice of lifting the Cup. Can Johnston help a veteran core get over the top this season? It’s going to be fun to watch, one way or another.
Jacob Markstrom, New Jersey Devils
New Jersey was arguably the most disappointing team in the league last season, let down by sub-par goaltending throughout the campaign and it didn’t address this need until it was too late. It’s a new story this year, as Markstrom was acquired in a June 19 trade with the Calgary Flames and for the 34-year-old, it represents a change of scenery that was perhaps needed. Markstrom’s year-by-year performances tend to vary, but when he’s dialled in, he’s among the NHL’s best goalies. New Jersey’s championship aspirations are largely dependent on his performance in 2024-25.
Mitch Marner, Toronto Maple Leafs
You’ve heard it all this summer and so has Marner. Marner underwent a ton of scrutiny for his playoff performance against the Boston Bruins, where some fans took it as a referendum on his tenure with the club overall. Toronto’s star winger is an electrifying playmaker, capable of Selke-finalist level defence as well, but his offence tends to dry up in the playoffs, which causes the entire hockey ecosystem to react and overreact to his every move. Marner is one of the league’s most gifted players and is often prone to unfair narratives about him, given his production level. He’s also in the final year of his existing contract and his team is still looking to work out a deal with the Maple Leafs. He’s shown every indication he wants to be in Toronto forever, and if this is the year for the Maple Leafs, Marner still has the potential to be viewed as a demigod within Southern Ontario and beyond.
Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto’s new captain scored 69 goals last season, the best output since Mario Lemieux in 1995-96 and Matthews wasn’t even born yet. Matthews also earned the first Selke nomination of his career and has established himself as perhaps the best all-around forward in the league. Entering his ninth season, with a new head coach and increased responsibility, Matthews is the unquestioned face of the Maple Leafs’ franchise. He could become a demigod if he leads the Maple Leafs to their first title since 1967. He’s looked dominant during training camp and Matthews will lead one of the league’s most hyper-talented offenses again: but can Matthews and the Leafs get it done during the playoffs? It may define the NHL calendar overall.
Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
McDavid wanted no part of the Conn Smythe Trophy after a tour-de-force playoff performance where he recorded eight goals and 42 points as the Oilers lost in seven games to the Florida Panthers. He’s the best skater alive and he’s the best player alive, too. We saw an unparalleled look at McDavid’s raw emotion during the FACEOFF: Inside the NHL series and now firmly in the peak of his career, there is no ceiling for McDavid. All he needs is an elusive Stanley Cup. But much like how the popular discourse turned on LeBron James before he won his first NBA title in 2012, it’s now time for McDavid to lift the Cup before he can be placed on the NHL’s Mount Rushmore.
Matvei Michkov, Philadelphia Flyers
Michkov is an electrifying talent, who was considered by some — this writer, included — as the second-best talent from a loaded 2023 NHL Draft. The electrifying winger often mimics the best of Nikita Kucherov’s game, with an ability to score from impossible angles and nearly unmatched creativity among his peer group. Michkov will play one of the NHL’s most passionate fan bases and if he runs away with the Calder Trophy, look for his star profile to take several leaps.
Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
Ovechkin is a staple of this list, in his pursuit of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record. The Great Eight trails The Great One by 41 goals. While it seems unlikely that Ovechkin will break the record this year, he’s only two years removed from a 42-goal campaign and we’ve never, ever betting against his ceiling as a goal-scorer, even if he showed some signs of decline during the second half of last year. The entire hockey world will be watching Ovechkin’s every move, particularly if he’s within striking range after the All-Star break.
Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks
Pettersson and the Canucks were perhaps the positive surprise of last season, advancing to the second round of the playoffs, after missing the postseason in the previous three seasons. A dynamic scorer on one of the NHL’s most explosive offences last season, many are waiting to see if the Canucks if rode a PDO bubble that never burst, or if they’re genuinely one of the best-scoring teams in the league. Pettersson always puts numbers on the boards, registering 34 goals and 89 points in 82 games last season. He may have some additional motivation as he wasn’t one of Sweden’s first six players named for the upcoming NHL 4 Nations Face-Off, but he’ll surely be added by the time the tournament comes around.
Steven Stamkos, Nashville Predators
It will be bizarre to watch Stamkos in a new uniform after spending his entire career with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Tampa Bay effectively sought to replace him with Jake Guentzel in free agency and now Stamkos will have an added layer of motivation, while trying to lead the upstart Predators to an extended playoff run, and perhaps beyond. If a down year for Stamkos constitutes 40 goals, a revenge year may portend an upswing from one of the league’s most dangerous shooters. We can’t wait to witness Stamkos’ next stage of his journey.
Jeremy Swayman, Boston Bruins
Swayman signed an eight-year, $66-million extension with the Bruins on October 6, putting an end to the most drawn out offseason saga. Boston’s franchise goaltender has excelled over the past two seasons in a tandem set up with Linus Ullmark. Ullmark was traded to the Ottawa Senators this summer, ostensibly to clear the runway for Swayman’s deal. Now it’s incumbent upon Swayman to deliver with a larger volume of starts, a new contract commensurate to his value, and the increased weight of expectations to contend for a Stanley Cup, while fighting through the vaunted Atlantic Division. No pressure!
Coaches and Executives
Craig Berube, head coach, Toronto Maple Leafs
Berube was brought in due to his championship-level pedigree, with a reputation for implementing a physical, defensive-minded brand of hockey that could get the Maple Leafs over the top. We’re beginning to see signs of his impact throughout training camp, but the pressure is already on. If Berube can get the Maple Leafs over the top, he would instantly be regarded in the modern coaching canon. For now, it’ll be compelling to see what Berube can get out of a Maple Leafs group that finished first in 5-on-5 goals during the regular season, but failed to score regularly in the postseason.
Andrew Brunette, head coach, Nashville Predators
Nashville revamped its entire roster during the summer, bringing in Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei in free agency in an effort to become an instant contender. Brunette is now tasked with turning the offseason champions into real champions and some felt it was unfair that he was dismissed after one season with the Florida Panthers in 2021-22. Nashville was ousted in six games by Vancouver during the first round and there’s an internal expectation that the club will need to improve upon last year’s showing. Brunette has a range of outcomes, and for that reason, he’s on this list!
Jessica Campbell, assistant coach, Seattle Kraken
Campbell is the first woman to coach in the NHL, after being named an assistant for the Kraken on July 3. The 32-year-old has built a stellar reputation as an excellent communicator and she won at virtually every level of her playing career. Campbell could be in line to become the first woman to take on a head coaching role in the NHL, which would undoubtedly pave the way for the next generation of aspiring coaches. The entire league ought to be invested in her success and the Kraken have proven that they’re often a step ahead when it comes to hiring.
Sheldon Keefe, head coach, New Jersey Devils
Keefe quickly found work after being dismissed by the Maple Leafs and now he’s tasked with coaching a team that is similar to his former club, at least on the ice. He may have ran out of answers in Toronto, but Keefe’s regular season record was excellent and now he gets to mold an electric offensive corps, while trying to solve New Jersey’s defensive woes. If Keefe wins instantly with the Devils — and hey, they’re unbeaten through the first week of October — he could make a lot of his critics (and we’re not above it either!) look silly.
George Parros, senior vice president of player safety, NHL
Parros is routinely criticized for the seemingly arbitrary nature of suspensions and many are calling into question how the league enforces supplementary discipline. Whether it’s fair or not, Parros will undoubtedly impact the season by determining the length of suspensions and other punishments, and it seems like a matter of time before he’s criticized for his decisions, that sometimes lack the clarity many fans, executives and players are looking for.
Ryan Smith, owner, Utah Hockey Club
Smith brought hockey to Utah for the price of $1.2 billion and is now tasked with popularizing an NHL team in a new market. The 46-year-old also owns the NBA’s Utah Jazz and is ready to hit the ground running. Smith has all the resources and willpower to make Utah a new hockey destination, in the same vein of the NHL’s California expansion in the 1980s and 1990s, one of Gary Bettman’s favourite project. If he succeeds, it counts as a major win for the league and a departure from the blemishes of the last remnants of the Coyotes’ arena issues in Arizona.
Marty Walsh, executive director, NHLPA
Walsh has done a stellar job in his role as executive director and has worked tirelessly to build a better culture for players. There was some skepticism about whether his role in various branches of American politics would translate to a labor union that would routinely get taken for a ride in collective negotiations but Walsh has held firm. Walsh will have influence over myriad issues, from a rising salary cap and new television deal, to the 4 Nations Face-Off and everything else in between. He’s personable, he’s willing to take on questions and address them meaningfully, even from those who are weary of the efficacy of his department.
Builders and Media
Kim Davis, senior executive, vice president of social Impact, growth initiatives and legislative affairs, NHL
Davis has been tasked with reforming a rotten culture in hockey, in a league that often exposes itself to abject racism and sexism. It’s an unenviable job, but criticism is mounting as the NHL routinely fails to deliver on its own anti-racism initiatives and its own Declaration of Principles from the Hockey is for Everyone program. It’ll be interesting to see how Davis will be evaluated by her peers this season after holding this position for years.
Steve Mayer, NHL, chief content officer and senior executive vice president
Mayer helped bring the electric FACEOFF: Inside the NHL series to light and he’s tasked with making a league that has often lagged behind the times in pop culture, back to full relevance. The on-ice product has never been more electric, but the NHL has often failed to market its players correctly and in a new era, where players tend to be more candid, in a 24-7 media climate, it’s largely on Mayer to popularize the multitude of personalities that exist within the league.
Rick Westhead, TSN and Katie Strang, The Athletic
Rick Westhead and Katie Strang cover the stories that many journalists shy away from, with tireless coverage of the Hockey Canada sexual assault scandal and countless investigate stories that otherwise go unexplored. Westhead and Strang have raised the level of investigate journalism in the world of hockey and they always shape the coverage of the league, and the culture of hockey more broadly.
