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International NHL Stars Under 25

The current wave of under-25 talent is unusually global, with elite young players from Sweden, Finland, Germany, Slovakia, and beyond headlining their teams. The NHL's under-23 rankings consistently feature a mix of North American and international names, signaling how fully integrated European development has become. This article spotlights the top tier of non-North American stars 25 and under at the start of the 2025-26 season, showing where the international pipeline is headed.

January 25, 2026

The Top 10 International Stars Under 25

Elite Young Europeans

These players are already stars or on the verge of stardom:

1. Moritz Seider (Germany, Age 23)

Detroit Red Wings defenseman, Calder Trophy winner (2022). Already elite two-way defenseman with 200+ NHL games, top-pair minutes, and future Norris potential.

Career So Far:

Calder Trophy (2022)
200+ games, 150+ points
Top-pair defenseman
Power-play quarterback
Represents German hockey's rise

2. Juraj Slafkovsky (Slovakia, Age 21)

Montreal Canadiens first overall pick (2022). Physical power winger with elite size (6-foot-4) and growing offensive production.

Development:

First overall pick
150+ NHL games
Rising production curve
Power forward archetype
Slovak hockey's future

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3. Lucas Raymond (Sweden, Age 23)

Detroit Red Wings winger, elite rookie season (57 points). First-line scorer and power-play driver with 200+ career points.

Production:

200+ career points
Elite rookie season
First-line winger
Power-play specialist
Swedish offensive talent

4. Leo Carlsson (Sweden, Age 20)

Anaheim Ducks second overall pick (2023). Emerging first-line center with elite two-way potential and playmaking ability.

Early Career:

Second overall pick (2023)
100+ NHL games
Future franchise center
Two-way excellence
High hockey IQ

5. Anton Lundell (Finland, Age 23)

Florida Panthers center, Stanley Cup champion (2024). Already entrenched as strong two-way center with 200+ career points.

Success:

Stanley Cup champion (2024)
200+ career points
Two-way center
Selke potential
Finnish reliability

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6. Simon Nemec (Slovakia, Age 21)

New Jersey Devils defenseman, second overall pick (2022). Mobile defenseman with offensive upside developing in NHL.

Potential:

Second overall pick (2022)
100+ NHL games
Offensive defenseman
Power-play ability
Slovak blue-line future

7. Marco Rossi (Austria, Age 24)

Minnesota Wild center, ninth overall pick (2020). Playmaking center overcoming early health issues to establish NHL role.

Journey:

Ninth overall pick (2020)
Overcame health challenges
Elite playmaker
Austrian hockey pioneer
Rising production

8. Rasmus Sandin (Sweden, Age 25)

Washington Capitals defenseman. Mobile offensive defenseman with 250+ NHL games and growing role.

Career:

250+ games played
Offensive defenseman
Power-play ability
Swedish development product

9. Albert Johansson (Sweden, Age 24)

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman. Young blue-liner with top-four potential developing steadily.

10. Jesper Wallstedt (Sweden, Age 22)

Minnesota Wild goaltender. Elite goalie prospect making NHL transition, future starter potential.

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Swedish Under-25 Stars

Nordic Pipeline Strength

Sweden continues producing elite young talent:

Lucas Raymond:

200+ points already
First-line production
Power-play specialist

Leo Carlsson:

Future franchise center
Elite two-way game
High hockey IQ

Rasmus Sandin:

Mobile defenseman
Offensive ability
Top-four role

Swedish development emphasizes skating, two-way play, and hockey sense, creating NHL-ready players by age 20-21.

German and Slovak Rising Stars

New Hockey Powers

Germany and Slovakia producing elite young talent:

Moritz Seider (Germany):

Calder Trophy winner
Elite defenseman already
Future Norris candidate

Juraj Slafkovsky (Slovakia):

First overall pick
Physical power forward
Rising offensive production

Simon Nemec (Slovakia):

Second overall pick
Offensive defenseman
Future top-pair potential

These players represent new generation from traditionally smaller hockey nations.

Finnish Under-25 Talent

Two-Way Excellence

Finland's under-25 stars emphasize complete games:

Anton Lundell:

Stanley Cup champion (2024)
Elite two-way center
Selke potential
Consistent 50-60 points

Finnish development continues producing responsible, well-rounded players who excel defensively while contributing offensively.

Prospects Under 23

The Next Wave

Elite European prospects making NHL transitions:

Pavel Mintyukov (Russia, Age 21):

Anaheim Ducks defenseman
Offensive ability
Top-four potential

David Jiricek (Czech, Age 21):

Minnesota Wild defenseman
Sixth overall pick (2022)
Physical defensive game

Cutter Gauthier (Sweden birth, Age 21):

Note: Born in Sweden but American nationality
Anaheim Ducks forward

These prospects show where international pipeline is headed over next 2-3 seasons.

How Global Talent Changes NHL

Power Balance Shifting

International under-25 stars are changing NHL landscape:

Draft Impact:

More Europeans drafted in first round
Teams prioritizing international scouting
European leagues producing NHL-ready talent

Development Speed:

Young Europeans arriving NHL-ready
Less adjustment period
Complete games from start

Future Implications:

International stars will dominate 2030s
Traditional hockey powers maintaining strength
New nations (Germany, Austria) emerging

The Verdict

Global Future

The under-25 international talent shows NHL's truly global nature. From Seider's Calder Trophy to Slafkovsky's first overall selection to Raymond's elite production, young Europeans are matching and exceeding North American counterparts.

As these players enter their prime (ages 25-30), they'll define the next decade of NHL excellence.

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