Phil Housley was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres directly out of high school as the No. 6 overall pick in the 1982 NHL entry draft. He went on to have what could be argued as the best two seasons by a teenager in the NHL: 143 points in 152 games, including a 30-goal campaign as a 19-year-old during the 1983-84 season.
As a 20-something, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better player than the Great One, Wayne Gretzky. During the 1980s, Gretzky would just dominate. He led the league in goals scored eight times, was voted either most valuable or outstanding player 13 times and was MVP of the playoffs twice.
Defensemen put a stranglehold on exceptional performances in the twilight years of a career. Ray Bourque and Nicklas Lidstrom appeared to get better in their 30s, and Chris Chelios patrolled the NHL blue line until he turned 48.
But we don't have to look through history for dominant players; there are talented players at every age currently playing in the NHL. Don't believe me? Here is the best player at every age (ages on record as of Feb. 1, 2014) in the NHL right now, based on conventional statistics (goals, assists and shots on goal) and advanced metrics that take into account nuances of their play (such as puck possession and their impact on linemates).
Current statistics are taken into account, as well as career-to-date performance. Bear in mind that in considering these choices, I look for an established track record of success rather than future potential. If you are unfamiliar with any of the advanced metrics used, you likely can find an explanation here.
As expected with a list like this, I am sure no one will disagree with any of the choices:
18 years old
Nichushkin
Valeri Nichushkin, F, Dallas Stars
This is a two-horse race between Nathan MacKinnon and Nichushkin, but you have to give the nod to the No. 10 overall pick over No. 1. The young Russian has 25 points in 50 games and plays a very disciplined game. He has delivered 61 hits and made 20 takeaways, but has only been whistled for two minor penalties all season. In terms of puck possession, Dallas sees 52.4 percent of even-strength shot attempts in their favor when he skates, while Colorado enjoys just 46.4 percent with MacKinnon on the ice. Healthy scratches aside, Nichushkin is the better-rounded player right now.
Honorable mention: Nathan MacKinnon
19 years old
Trouba
Jacob Trouba, D, Winnipeg Jets
If not for a broken hand, Alex Galchenyuk would probably be the leader here, but instead top honors go to the Winnipeg blueliner. Trouba is an excellent skater who uses his size to make hits (62 this season) and block shots (73). Plus, he skates over 21 minutes a night, including time on special teams, averaging 2:52 on the penalty kill and 1:57 with the man advantage per game.
Honorable mention: Alex Galchenyuk
20 years old
Brodin
Jonas Brodin, D, Minnesota Wild
It is easy to look at the production from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (40 points in 53 games) and be impressed, but Brodin is playing some tough minutes in his sophomore season. The Swede is routinely paired with Ryan Suter and matched up against the best the opposition has to offer. Skating 24:39 per game against the likes of Alex Ovechkin, Ryan Getzlaf, Phil Kessel and Anze Kopitar is enough to put Brodin over either Nugent-Hopkins or reigning rookie of the year Jonathan Huberdeau.
Honorable mention: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Jonathan Huberdeau
21 years old
Landeskog
Gabriel Landeskog, F, Colorado Avalanche
When the Colorado Avalanche sewed the "C" on Landeskog's sweater, he became the youngest captain in NHL history. Since being drafted second overall in 2011, he has been named the league's best rookie (following the 2011-12 season), has tallied 109 points in 169 NHL games and will make his first Olympic appearance for Sweden. Fellow Calder winner Jeff Skinner (2010-11) has more experience, and Chicago's Brandon Saad hoisted the Stanley Cup, but Landeskog is the best of the three.
Honorable mention: Jeff Skinner, Brandon Saad
22 years old
Seguin
Tyler Seguin, F, Dallas Stars
Seguin has only been in the league for four seasons, but few others have his backstory. Seguin was selected second overall in the 2010 draft by the Boston Bruins, using a pick acquired from Toronto in a trade for Phil Kessel. Seguin's seven points in 13 playoff games that following season would help Boston win its first Stanley Cup in 38 years. Two seasons and 99 points later, Seguin would be traded to Dallas, where he is putting together a near point-per-game season with 23 goals and 28 assists in 51 games, distancing himself from fellow 22-year-olds such as Edmonton's Taylor Hall and Winnipeg's Evander Kane.
Honorable mention: Taylor Hall, Evander Kane
23 years old
Karlsson
Erik Karlsson, D, Ottawa Senators
This is a toughie. Steven Stamkos has led the league in goals scored twice, while averaging a goal every game and a half over the past three seasons. John Tavares is leading the resurgence on Long Island, helping the Islanders secure their first playoff berth since 2007, plus he was my top player under 25 years old this past September. But Stamkos is injured and Tavares' puck possession metrics have regressed, so the edge has to go to Karlsson. Karlsson won the Norris Trophy, awarded to the league's best defenseman, after a 78-point campaign in 2011-12 while skating over 25 minutes per game. He is producing almost a point per game this season, has three playoff appearances and helps Ottawa outshoot opponents at even strength (1,647 to 1,483 over the past three seasons) despite playing the tough minutes.
Honorable mention: Steven Stamkos, John Tavares
24 years old
Subban
P.K. Subban, D, Montreal Canadiens
Subban could be one of the most underappreciated players in the NHL. He was voted the league's best defenseman last season, skating over 23 minutes per game, 4:46 of which was on the power play. This season, Subban is again in the top five among defensemen in points (36) and shots generated (143) despite routinely facing the best the NHL has to offer.
Honorable mention: Alex Pietrangelo, Logan Couture
25 years old
Toews
Jonathan Toews, F, Chicago Blackhawks
You could argue Toews is not only the best 25-year-old in the game today, but the second best among all age groups in the NHL behind Sidney Crosby. Ignoring special teams and lead-protecting situations, the Blackhawks have outshot opponents 314-235 with their captain on the ice. Toews also has won over 57 percent of his draws, and chipped in 17 goals and 32 assists in 54 games.
Honorable mention: Patrick Kane
26 years old
Crosby
Sidney Crosby, F, Pittsburgh Penguins
The pool of 26-year-olds is probably the deepest of all the age groups. Anze Kopitar, Claude Giroux, Phil Kessel, Nicklas Backstrom, James Neal and Bobby Ryan are all in this age bracket, so it makes sense only one name could beat them all: Sidney Crosby. When healthy, Crosby is the best player on the ice and perhaps the world.
Honorable mention: Anze Kopitar, Claude Giroux
27 years old
Malkin
Evgeni Malkin, F, Pittsburgh Penguins
As strong as the 26-year-olds were, this age bracket is relatively weak, giving the crown to Malkin by a mile. Despite injuries, Malkin still helps keep the Penguins on top. His 37 assists and 51 points are good for sixth and 13th in the league, respectively, and Pittsburgh outshoots opponents 336-298 when he is on the ice.
Honorable mention: David Krejci, Blake Wheeler, Keith Yandle
28 years old
Ovechkin
Alex Ovechkin, F, Washington Capitals
Corey Perry, Patrice Bergeron, Ryan Getzlaf and Shea Weber are all in this group, but none of them redefined scoring in the salary-cap era like Ovechkin. The three-time Hart Trophy winner leads the league with 36 goals in 48 games this season, and is the primary reason that Washington is even considered to be a threat to make the playoffs.
Honorable mention: Corey Perry, Patrice Bergeron, Ryan Getzlaf, Shea Weber
29 years old
Suter
Ryan Suter, D, Minnesota Wild
Suter plays a lot of minutes. This season, the Wisconsin native is averaging over 29 minutes per game, and has topped the 30-minute mark in more than half of Minnesota's games thus far. And they are not "soft" minutes: Suter is routinely matched up against the top forward lines the opposition puts on the ice.
Honorable mention: Alexander Steen, Eric Staal, Joe Pavelski, Zach Parise
30 years old
Keith
Duncan Keith, D, Chicago Blackhawks
Keith already has one Norris on his résumé (2010), and is the favorite for another this season. He skates over 24 minutes per game, and leads all defensemen with 43 assists. His total of 46 points this season is second only to Karlsson. Often matched up against an opponent's top line, Keith still manages to be on the ice with almost 57 percent of all even-strength shot attempts in Chicago's favor.
Honorable mention: Jason Spezza, Thomas Vanek, Antti Niemi
31 years old
Lundqvist
Henrik Lundqvist, G, New York Rangers
The 2013-14 season got off to a rocky start for Lundqvist, who went 12-15-2 from October through December, with a .908 save percentage, but has picked up as of late. In January, the Swedish Olympian is 6-3-1, with one shutout and a .931 save percentage. Using even-strength save percentage on the road -- which eliminates all scorer bias in shot counting -- only Tim Thomas (.9331) saved a higher percentage of shots than Lundqvist (.9307) from 2007-08 to the lockout shortened 2013 campaign.
Honorable mention: Jason Pominville, Marian Gaborik, Tomas Plekanec
32 years old
Sharp
Patrick Sharp, F, Chicago Blackhawks
With all the star power on Chicago, it is easy to lose sight of Sharp, who has 52 points in 54 games, on pace for a career-best total. In terms of puck possession, the Blackhawks have outshot opponents 499-354 during even strength this season when Sharp is on the ice, and have accounted for over 55 percent of the shots over the past six seasons when he skates.
Honorable mention: Justin Williams, Kevin Bieksa, Craig Anderson
33 years old
H. Sedin
D. Sedin
Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin, F, Vancouver Canucks
It's hard to separate the performance of Daniel and Henrik due to the fact that they have spent over 84 percent of their even-strength minutes together. Daniel, the scorer, has 304 goals and 494 assists in 959 games while Henrik, the playmaker, has 832 points in 990 games. When they skate together, Vancouver has seen over 57 percent of even-strength shot attempts in their favor, compared to 46 percent when they are split up. It's almost as if they can read each other's thoughts or something.
Honorable mention: Henrik Zetterberg, Ryan Miller
34 years old
Thornton
Joe Thornton, F, San Jose Sharks
Once the league resumed play in 2005-06, Thornton soldified his place among the best that the sport has to offer. He won the Art Ross and Hart trophies that season after a 125-point campaign. Jumbo Joe has accumulated 1,173 points in 1,177 games, and leads the league in assists this season (47), showing he's still got it.
Honorable mention: Chris Kunitz, Patrick Marleau, Brian Campbell
35 and over
Jagr
Jaromir Jagr, F, New Jersey Devils
This age group has many good, if not great, players, but at 41 years old, Jagr shows no signs of slowing down. Before leaving the NHL to compete in the KHL, he won the Art Ross Trophy five times, was voted most outstanding player by his peers (Ted Lindsay Award) three times and was voted as the league's most valuable player (Hart Memorial Trophy) by the media once. Since he came back to the NHL for the 2011-12 season, he has 131 points in 170 games, and has all but solidified his future place in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Honorable mention: Pavel Datsyuk, Zdeno Chara, Martin St. Louis, Teemu Selanne