It seems every year this list gets harder and harder to put together. Alumni such as Sidney Crosby, Jonathan Toews, Nicklas Backstrom, Claude Giroux, Jordan Staal, Patrick Kane and Brad Marchand have made way for the next generation of talent, which is plentiful, especially on the blue line.
As in my previous lists, these rankings -- and the criteria I use -- are my own. I select players based on their career-to-date performance in the regular season and the playoffs. I analyze 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). If you are unfamiliar with any of the advanced metrics used, you likely can find an explanation here. If you want to read what a sample of NHL GMs and scouts thought of my rankings, you can find that in Craig Custance's blog post by clicking here.
A few other ground rules: Players 25 and older, or those turning 25 before Feb. 1, are ineligible for this list. Also, I look for an established track record of success rather than future potential, so you won't find any of the league's talented 2013 rookies included in these rankings, but I am sure Calder winner Jonathan Huberdeau and fellow finalists Brendan Gallagher and Brandon Saad will appear on future lists.
Here's the type you will find on this list: the most dynamic young players in the game today, starting with a skater one (admittedly biased) play-by-play announcer thinks "will help grow the National Hockey League -- not just the New York Islanders -- in the coming years."
Tavares
1. C John Tavares
New York Islanders, 23 years old
Previous: 5th
Judging by the tweets I get, some of you remember that Tavares was not on the inaugural 25 Under 25 list. An omission? Maybe, but there is no denying his game has vastly improved since then, and he did make it all the way to No. 5 on last season's list. But don't take my word for it, take it from someone who watches him every game.
"During his rookie season, [Tavares] seemed to spend half of every shift on his butt, so that summer he made himself stronger and the next season he was on his feet more consistently," explains Howie Rose, the Isles' play-by-play announcer. "The season after that, his skating improved significantly and he became harder to knock off the puck. Now, entering his fifth season, he is a complete player."
Tavares has become much better at driving the play. When he was on the ice last season, 53 percent of even-strength shots went in New York's favor, compared with 46 percent for those same linemates when Tavares was on the bench, an improvement that has been increasing each campaign.
The Mississauga, Ontario, native also puts points on the board. Since the 2009-10 season, Tavares has scored 1.9 even-strength points per 60 minutes, 19th best among forwards with at least 4,000 minutes in that span. That includes 51 primary assists (15th best among those same forwards).
"His vision is superb. He doesn't just pass the puck; he puts it right on his linemate's tape," Rose said. "I know I'm biased here, but I genuinely feel that John Tavares is a transcendent player." At this point, it's hard to disagree.
Stamkos
2. C Steven Stamkos
Tampa Bay Lightning, 24 years old
Previous: 2
Two Rocket Richard trophies -- awarded to the league's most prolific goal scorer -- and a slight downturn in his puck possession numbers (48.9 in Fenwick percentage -- the differential between shots on goal and shots missed for and those stats against -- last season versus 49.2 in 2011-12) keeps Stamkos in the No. 2 spot. But despite a below-average ability to drive play, he still managed a 49-goal pace in 2013, and he again led the league in even-strength goals (19), proving he is one of the league's most lethal scoring threats.
Karlsson
3. D Erik Karlsson
Ottawa Senators, 23 years old
Previous: 9
An injury cut the 2011-12 Norris Trophy winner's season short, but when healthy, Karlsson might be the most dangerous blue-line threat in the sport. He has increased his goals per game each season since his rookie campaign (2009-10) and keeps firing pucks at net (4.7 shots per game in 2013) despite lining up against the opposition's best forwards every night.
Subban
4. D P.K. Subban
Montreal Canadiens, 24 years old
Previous rank: Not ranked
The reigning Norris Trophy winner might not play as many minutes as some of the other top blueliners in the league (23:15), but he led NHL defensemen in power-play points (20) and suppressed shots on the penalty kill, where he blocked almost three shots per 60 minutes.
Hall
5. LW Taylor Hall
Edmonton Oilers, 22 years old
Previous rank: 7
A voting snafu might have cost him an All-Star nod, but there is no denying Hall is one of the best young players in the game. Only Kane (230) and Alex Ovechkin (198) have scored more points from the wing as a 19- through 21-year-old than Hall (145). And Hall has led the Oilers in puck possession over the past three seasons.
Pietrangelo
6. D Alex Pietrangelo
St. Louis Blues, 24 years old
Previous rank: 11
If you are looking for a value pick for the 2014 Norris Trophy, Pietrangelo is it. His defensive game, as measured by Hockey Prospectus' goals versus threshold (GVT) metric, was second best in the league in 2013 to go along with his 101 blocked shots (18th best) and 26 takeaways (10th best).
Ignoring special teams and lead-protecting situations, the Blues had possession of the puck more than 56 percent of the time these past two seasons when Pietrangelo was on the ice, the best mark among defensemen with at least 1,000 minutes logged in those situations.
Ekman-Larsson
7. D Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Phoenix Coyotes, 22 years old
Previous rank: Not ranked
The 22-year-old led all Phoenix skaters in ice time (25:05) last season, with major minutes on the power play (3:40) and penalty kill (3:00). Over the past three campaigns, only six other defensemen (playing in a minimum of 2,500 minutes) have scored more even-strength goals per 60 minutes than Ekman-Larsson.
Doughty
8. D Drew Doughty
Los Angeles Kings, 24 years old
Previous rank: 8
Doughty is a workhorse. Only Ryan Suter and Brian Campbell played more minutes in 2013, and neither has been better at driving play than Doughty, who has been on the ice for more than 54 percent of even-strength shots directed at net over the past three seasons.
Couture
9. C Logan Couture
San Jose Sharks, 24 years old
Previous rank: 3
Since Couture entered the league in 2009-10, no San Jose forward has been better at possessing the puck (Fenwick of 55.7 percent) than he has; he also has chipped in 167 points in 232 games.
McDonagh
10. D Ryan McDonagh
New York Rangers, 24 years old
Previous rank: Not ranked
Here is a list of the forwards McDonagh has faced most frequently since his rookie campaign: Giroux, Tavares, Matt Moulson, Ilya Kovalchuk, Chris Kunitz, Scott Hartnell, Ovechkin, Eric Staal, Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel.
Yet, in that time, only nine blueliners have been on the ice for fewer even-strength shots against per 60 minutes than McDonagh's 26.9.
Duchene
11. C Matt Duchene
Colorado Avalanche, 23 years old
Previous rank: Not ranked
Despite a disappointing 2011-12 campaign in which he produced just 28 points in 58 games, Duchene remains one of the most talented young players in the league. Since 2009-10, he has led Colorado in even-strength points per 60 minutes (1.9) and was nearly a point-per-game player for the Avalanche last season.
Eberle
12. RW Jordan Eberle
Edmonton Oilers, 23 years old
Previous rank: 21
One of Edmonton's many rising superstars, Eberle leads the Oilers in even-strength points per 60 minutes (2.4), is fourth in the Fenwick puck possession metric (48.5 percent) and is second in primary assists on the power play (15) over the past three campaigns.
Benn
13. LW Jamie Benn
Dallas Stars, 24 years old
Previous rank: 13
Since 2010-11, the newly minted captain of the Dallas Stars has a point on 83.5 percent of the even-strength goals scored on his shift, second best among forwards with a minimum of 2,500 minutes played, and 74.4 percent on those goals scored with the man advantage, 11th best among forwards logging 400 or more minutes.
Stepan
14. C Derek Stepan
New York Rangers, 23 years old
Previous rank: Not ranked
Still a restricted free agent without a contract, New York's No. 1 center has done everything that has been asked of him: he has played top-line minutes (18:26 per game since his rookie season) against stiff competition, scored points (44 points in 48 games in 2013), and played physical (52 hits, 28 blocked shots and 34 takeaways in 2013) but smart (just six minor penalties all season).
Carlson
15. D John Carlson
Washington Capitals, 24 years old
Previous rank: Not ranked
New head coach Adam Oates relied heavily on Carlson in 2013, making him Washington's only blueliner who saw more than two minutes on both special teams (2:53 on the penalty kill and 2:13 on the power play) while skating 23:01 overall per game. The right-handed defenseman also set per-game career highs in shots, goals and assists last season.
Kane
16. LW Evander Kane
Winnipeg Jets, 22 years old
Previous rank: 19
Kane has always been a large part of Winnipeg's offense. Only Ovechkin, Jeff Carter and Patric Hornqvist have generated more even-strength shot attempts than the Vancouver native. But that doesn't mean he doesn't provide responsible defensive play, as he dished out 147 hits, had 25 takeaways and blocked 22 shots in 2013.
Nugent-Hopkins
17. C Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
Edmonton Oilers, 20 years old
Previous rank: Not ranked
The No. 1 pick in 2011 has provided the offense, to the tune of 76 points in 102 games. Plus, according to some new metrics, including SAA/100 (shot attempts against per 100) -- which answers the question: "Once a team has given up the first shot attempt against with Player X on the ice, how many SAA do they give up per 100 shifts?" -- his defense is on par with those nominated for the 2013 Selke.
Voynov
18. D Slava Voynov
Los Angeles Kings, 24 years old
Previous: Not ranked
The sophomore blueliner was in the top 10 for defensive GVT and even-strength points in 2013 while playing more than 22 minutes per night. Certainly a player on the rise for a team that is garnering a lot of Stanley Cup talk.
Holtby
19. G Braden Holtby
Washington Capitals, 24 years old
Previous: Not ranked
I will admit that I didn't think Holtby could sustain his performance at such a high level, but he has three seasons under his belt with regular-season save percentages in excess of .920. Yes, he has faced only 1,647 shots against, but he has clearly established himself as one of the league's best young netminders.
Voracek
20. RW Jakub Voracek
Philadelphia Flyers, 24 years old
Previous: Not ranked
Over the past three seasons, Voracek is 25th in even-strength points per 60 minutes (6.5) while driving play with a 53.2 percent Fenwick percentage. He also has 31 points and 131 shots on the power play in that time period.
Hedman
21. D Victor Hedman
Tampa Bay Lightning, 23 years old
Previous: 16
Having Stamkos probably helps keep Hedman out of the spotlight, but he continues to be one of the better young blueliners in the game. He skated almost 23 minutes per game last season, and he does a great job of shutting down the opposition's best forwards. One example: Since 2009-10, Ovechkin has just one goal and one assist during even-strength play against Tampa Bay when Hedman is on the ice.
Seguin
22. C Tyler Seguin
Dallas Stars, 22 years old
Previous: 12
Seguin was part of a summer blockbuster, as he was the primary piece in a package traded to Dallas. Now in his third season, he has put up top-six production at even strength (2.1 points per 60 minutes) while driving play (55.6 Fenwick percentage), giving the Stars a very productive top-six forward to complement Benn and Erik Cole.
Skinner
23. C Jeff Skinner
Carolina Hurricanes, 21 years old
Previous: 15
Injuries have played their part in keeping the 2010-11 rookie of the year out of commission, but his puck possession prowess took a step forward last season (51.1 percent Fenwick), as did his shot attempts (198). When healthy, he should be a big contributor to Carolina's offense.
Landeskog
24. LW Gabriel Landeskog
Colorado Avalanche, 21 years old
Previous: Not ranked
A concussion and a lack of puck luck explain Landeskog's offensive downturn on the power play more so than the fabled "sophomore slump." In 2011-12, he scored six goals on 39 shots in 168 minutes on the man advantage but was 0-for-10 in 2013 after 83 minutes. Expect his shot attempts to be higher going forward and a much better conversion rate, as well.
Gagner
25. C Sam Gagner
Edmonton Oilers, 24 years old
Previous: 18
Gagner, now in his sixth NHL season before turning 25 years old, suffered a broken jaw this preseason that will keep him out indefinitely. When he does return, he can produce offensively (258 points in 414 games) but would need a step forward in his puck possession (Fenwick of 47.8 percent) to truly join the league's elite.