The Fastest Players In The NHL: The Top 10 Quickest Skaters To Step On The Ice

Speed has become one of the most electrifying elements of the modern NHL, making the fastest players in the NHL valuable assets for all 32 franchises.

From current stars like Connor McDavid to legends like Mike Gartner, this league has seen some incredible skaters that showcase blazing acceleration and edge work that can change games in an instant.

We’ll take a look at the top 10 fastest players in NHL history, according to the fastest skater event at the NHL All-Star Skill Competition, as well as the top 10 fastest players that are in the league currently according to their max speed measured by NHL EDGE.

Here are the fastest players in the NHL:

The Fastest players in NHL history

Rank	Player	Fastest Lap Time	Years in league
1	Dylan Larkin	12.894 seconds	2015-Present
2	Connor McDavid	13.020 seconds	2015-Present
3	Jonathan Drouin	13.103 seconds	2014-Present
4	Mathew Barzal	13.175 seconds	2016-Present
5	Carl Hagelin	13.218 seconds	2011-2022
6	Mike Gartner	13.386 seconds	1979-1998
7	Sergei Fedorov	13.525 seconds	1990-2009
8	Jordan Kyrou	13.550 seconds	2018-Present
9	Scott Niedermayer	13.560 seconds	1991-2010
10	Peter Bondra	13.610 seconds	1990-2007

1. Dylan Larkin | 12.894 seconds | 2015-Present

Dylan Larkin posted a record 12.894-second lap around the rink in 2016, which makes him the fastest player in NHL history.

Larkin made his debut with the Detroit Red Wings in 2015 and he has been with them ever since. He has become their leader and captain as he’s played in over 700 games.

2. Connor McDavid | 13.020 seconds | 2015-Present

Connor McDavid clocked in a 13.020-second lap in 2017. That makes him one of the fastest players in NHL history.

McDavid, who is one of the richest players in the NHL today, was a former No. 1 overall pick in the NHL Draft by the Edmonton Oilers. As their captain, he’s a five-time Art Ross winner, three-time NHL MVP recipient and he has led the Oilers to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals appearances.

3. Jonathan Drouin | 13.103 seconds | 2014-Present

One of the fastest players in NHL history Jonathan Drouin recently signed a two-year deal with the New York Islanders.

A third overall pick in 2013, Drouin has also spent time with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Montreal Canadiens and Colorado Avalanche in his career. Drouin recorded a career-high 56 points in the 2023-24 season.

4. Mathew Barzal | 13.175 seconds | 2016-Present

Mathew Barzal, the 2018 Calder Trophy winner, is next up on our list of fastest players in NHL history.

A three-time All-Star, Barzal recorded 85 points in his rookie season for the Islanders. He posted an impressive 13.175-second lap in 2020 at the NHL All-Star Skills Competition.

5. Carl Hagelin | 13.218 seconds | 2011-2022

Carl Hagelin rounds out the top five fastest players in NHL history list. Hagelin debuted for the New York Rangers in November 2011.

Known for his elite speed and penalty killing, Hagelin won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017. He finished his career with 110 goals and 296 points.

6. Mike Gartner | 13.386 seconds | 1979-1998

Mike Gartner was one of the fastest players in NHL history and one of the most consistent players as well.

He played in 19 NHL seasons and holds the record for most seasons with 30 or more goals (17 seasons). Gartner played most of his career with the Washington Capitals and he is a Hockey Hall-of-Famer.

7. Sergei Fedorov | 13.525 seconds | 1990-2009

Former NHL MVP and two-time Selke Trophy winner Sergei Fedorov is next up on the list of fastest players in NHL history.

Fedorov became the first Russian in the NHL to reach 1,000 points. He is well known for his three Stanley Cups he won with the Red Wings.

8. Jordan Kyrou | 13.550 seconds | 2018-Present

Jordan Kyrou is one of the top scorers for the St. Louis Blues and he is one of the fastest players in NHL history.

Kyrou has recorded multiple 70-point seasons for the Blues. He earned the 2022 Fastest Skater title for his 13.550-second lap around the rink.

9. Scott Niedermayer | 13.560 seconds | 1991-2010

New Jersey Devils and Anaheim Ducks legend Scott Niedermayer is also on our list of fastest players in NHL history.

A four-time Stanley Cup champion, Niedermayer earned the Norris Trophy and Conn Smythe Trophy each once in his career. He amassed 740 points in his incredible NHL career.

10. Peter Bondra | 13.610 seconds | 1990-2007

Rounding out our list of fastest players in NHL history is Peter Bondra, who was an eighth round pick in 1990 that went on to play for 14 seasons.

The five-time All-Star led the NHL in goals twice for the Capitals. Bondra retired with 503 goals in his iconic NHL career.

The Fastest players in the NHL today

Rank	Player	Max Speed	Years in league
1	Miles Wood	24.82 mph	2016-Present
2	Quinn Hughes	24.56 mph	2019-Present
3	Martin Necas	24.49 mph	2017-Present
4	Rasmus Kupari	24.47 mph	2021-Present
5	Seth Jarvis	24.42 mph	2021-Present
6	Mattias Janmark	24.36 mph	2015-Present
7	Ryan Poehling	24.32 mph	2019-Present
8	Brayden Point	24.26 mph	2016-Present
9	Steven Stamkos	24.21 mph	2008-Present
10	Owen Tippett	24.21 mph	2017-Present

1. Miles Wood | 24.82 mph | 2016-Present

According to NHL EDGE, Columbus Blue Jackets forward Miles Wood is the fastest player in the NHL today. He was clocked skating 24.82 miles per hour during a game in April 2025.

Wood is known for his physical play and net-front presence. He has played for the Devils, Avalanche and now the Blue Jackets in his career.

2. Quinn Hughes | 24.56 mph | 2019-Present

Quinn Hughes’ max speed on the ice is 24.56 miles per hour, which makes him one of the fastest players in the NHL today.

The smooth-skating defenseman from the Vancouver Canucks led all defensemen with 92 points in the 2024-25 season.

3. Martin Necas | 24.49 mph | 2017-Present

Martin Necas of the Avalanche is also one of the fastest players in the NHL today after he was clocked at 24.49 miles per hour.

The former Carolina Hurricane was traded midseason in 2025 to the Avalanche. Necas continues to shine as a dynamic and speedy offensive catalyst.

4. Rasmus Kupari | 24.47 mph | 2021-Present

Winnipeg Jets center Rasmus Kupari is north of the 24.4 miles per hour mark, making him one of the fastest players in the NHL today.

Kupari debuted with the Los Angeles Kings in 2021 before making the move to Winnipeg. He is known for his speed and he helped Finland win gold at the 2019 World Junior Championships.

5. Seth Jarvis | 24.42 mph | 2021-Present

Seth Jarvis of the Hurricanes is one of the best young talents in the NHL and one of the fastest players in the NHL today.

The two-way center scored 40 points in his rookie season with the Hurricanes and he has emerged as a reliable skater for the Stanley Cup odds contenders.

6. Mattias Janmark | 24.36 mph | 2015-Present

Journeyman Mattias Janmark has played for the Dallas Stars, Chicago Blackhawks, Vegas Golden Knights and the Oilers in his career and he is next up on the list of fastest players in the NHL today.

Janmark is known for his versatility and defensive reliability. He reached the 600-game milestone in January 2025.

7. Ryan Poehling | 24.32 mph | 2019-Present

Ryan Poehling, who can reach speeds of over 24 miles per hour, is included on the list of fastest players in the NHL today.

He had a very memorable debut as a member of the Canadiens. He scored a hat trick and shootout winner against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Poehling now plays for the Ducks.

8. Brayden Point | 24.26 mph | 2016-Present

Brayden Point’s max speed of 24.26 miles per hour puts him on the list of fastest players in the NHL today.

Point has become a cornerstone of the Lightning and he has won two Stanley Cups with them. He is typically among the team’s top scorers as he’s recorded multiple 90-point seasons.

9. Steven Stamkos | 24.21 mph | 2008-Present

Veteran Steven Stamkos of the Nashville Predators is one of the fastest players in the NHL today. He’s been clocked at 24.21 miles per hour on the ice.

The No.1 overall pick in 2008 spent 16 seasons with the Lightning, winning two Stanley Cups with them. Stamkos signed as a free agent with the Predators in July 2024.

10. Owen Tippett | 24.21 mph | 2017-Present

Owen Tippett of the Philadelphia Flyers rounds out our list of fastest players in the NHL today.

The former draft pick of the Florida Panthers, Tippett is known for his speed, powerful shot and physical play. He is a key contributor for the Flyers.

The Fastest players in the NHL FAQs

Who is the fastest player in the NHL right now?

The fastest player in the NHL right now is Miles Wood of the Columbus Blue Jackets. According to NHL EDGE, Wood has reached a max speed of 24.82 miles per hour, which is the highest in the NHL. In addition to his speed, Wood is known for his physical play and net-front presence.

What is the average speed of NHL players?

The average speed of NHL players varies by position. According to NHL EDGE, the average max speed of forwards is around 22 miles per hour while the average max speed of defensemen is about 21.5 miles per hour. The fastest players in the NHL usually reach max speeds of over 24 miles per hour.

How fast is Connor McDavid?

Connor McDavid hit a max speed of 24.19 miles per hour in the 2024-25 season, which puts him just off the list of fastest players in the NHL today. That max speed puts McDavid, arguably the best player in the league today, in the 99th percentile among all skaters in the NHL.

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