The Strongest Players In The NHL: Top 10 Skaters That Can Rip Slap Shots Like Nobody Else

The strongest players in the NHL showcase power on the puck, dominance in board battles and blistering shot speeds on the ice every game.

While skill and speed often take center stage in today’s game, raw strength remains a key separator.

We’ll take a look at the top 10 strongest players in NHL history, according to shot speed in games and NHL All-Star Skills Competitions, as well as the top 10 strongest players that are currently in the league according to those same metrics.

Here are the strongest players in the NHL:

The Strongest players in NHL history

Rank	Player	Fastest Shot Recorded	Years in league
1	Zdeno Chara	108.8 mph	1997-2022
2	Shea Weber	108.1 mph	2005-2022
3	Filip Hronek	107.9 mph	2019-Present
4	Tage Thompson	106.0 mph	2019-Present
5	Al Iafrate	105.2 mph	1984-1998
6	Elias Pettersson	103.2 mph	2018-Present
7	Victor Hedman	103.2 mph	2009-Present
8	John Carlson	102.8 mph	2008-Present
9	Cale Makar	102.6 mph	2019-Present
10	Colin Miller	102.6 mph	2013-Present

Based on Fastest Shot Speed

1. Zdeno Chara | 108.8 mph | 1997-2022

Zdeno Chara is the strongest player in NHL history. Chara’s strength resulted in him recording a 108.8 miles per hour slap shot at the 2012 NHL All-Star Skills Competition.

Also one of the tallest players in NHL history and oldest players in NHL history, Chara enjoyed a 24-season career, primarily with the Boston Bruins.

2. Shea Weber | 108.1 mph | 2005-2022

Shea Weber also broke the 108 miles per hour mark during the NHL All-Star Skills Competition, making him one of the strongest players in NHL history.

Weber, one of the richest players in NHL history, had an impactful career with the Nashville Predators and Montreal Canadiens, captaining both teams.

3. Filip Hronek | 107.9 mph | 2019-Present

Filip Hronek recorded the fastest shot ever during a game at 107.9 miles per hour, which makes him one of the strongest players in NHL history.

Hronek recorded this booming slap shot on November 16, 2023, while playing for the Vancouver Canucks. He’s known for his offensive prowess despite being a defenseman.

4. Tage Thompson | 106.0 mph | 2019-Present

Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson is one of the strongest players in NHL history. He recorded his 106 miles per hour shot on December 31, 2024.

Thompson has emerged as a dynamic center, exploding for 47 goals in the 2022-23 season. He was originally drafted by the St. Louis Blues, but was traded to the Sabres in 2018.

5. Al Iafrate | 105.2 mph | 1984-1998

Al Iafrate’s 105.2 miles per hour slap shot during the 1993 NHL All-Star Skills Competition lands him on the list of strongest players in NHL history.

Iafrate played 799 NHL games for five teams, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, and he totaled 463 points before retiring at 32 years old due to injuries.

6. Elias Pettersson | 103.2 mph | 2018-Present

Elias Pettersson is next up on the list of strongest players in NHL history. He won the Hardest Shot event at the 2023 NHL All-Star Skills Competition.

Pettersson won the Calder Trophy in the 2018-19 season as the league’s top rookie. The Canucks top-line center posted 102 points in the 2022-23 campaign.

7. Victor Hedman | 103.2 mph | 2009-Present

Victor Hedman also won the Hardest Shot event at the NHL All-Star Skills Competition with a 103.2 miles per hour ripper in 2022, making him one of the strongest players in NHL history.

The towering defenseman has spent his entire career with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He is a two-time Stanley Cup champion and 2018 Norris Trophy winner.

8. John Carlson | 102.8 mph | 2008-Present

John Carlson recorded a 102.8 miles per hour shot at the 2019 NHL All-Star Skill Competition, placing him on the list of strongest players in NHL history.

Carlson has spent his entire career with the Washington Capitals. He won the 2018 Stanley Cup as a cornerstone defenseman for the Capitals. He surpassed 700 career points in early 2025.

9. Cale Makar | 102.6 mph | 2019-Present

Cale Makar is up next on the list of strongest NHL players. His hardest shot was recorded at 102.6 miles per hour during the 2024 NHL Hardest Shot competition.

Makar is one of the top defenseman in the league. The Colorado Avalanche product has won two Norris Trophies, the 2020 Calder Trophy and a Stanley Cup.

10. Colin Miller | 102.6 mph | 2013-Present

Colin Miller rounds out our strongest players in NHL history with his 102.6 miles per hour shot during a game in January 2024.

The Winnipeg Jets defenseman has recorded nearly 200 points in his NHL career. Miller has made a big impact with his booming shot and veteran presence on the blue line.

The Strongest players in the NHL today

Rank	Player	Fastest Shot Recorded	Years in league
1	Filip Hronek	107.9 mph	2019-Present
2	Tage Thompson	106.0 mph	2019-Present
3	Elias Pettersson	103.2 mph	2018-Present
4	Victor Hedman	103.2 mph	2009-Present
5	John Carlson	102.8 mph	2008-Present
6	Cale Makar	102.6 mph	2019-Present
7	Colin Miller	102.6 mph	2013-Present
8	Darren Raddysh	102.4 mph	2021-Present
9	Oliver Ekman-Larsson	102.2 mph	2010-Present
10	Radko Gudas	101.7 mph	2008-Present

Based on Fastest Shot Speed

1. Filip Hronek | 107.9 mph | 2019-Present

Filip Hronek recorded the fastest shot ever during a game at 107.9 miles per hour and he is the strongest player in the NHL today.

Hronek recorded this booming slap shot on November 16, 2023, while playing for the Canucks. He’s known for his offensive prowess despite being a defenseman as he’s recorded multiple 30+ point seasons.

2. Tage Thompson | 106.0 mph | 2019-Present

Sabres center Tage Thompson can absolutely rip the puck and he is one of the strongest players in the NHL today.

Thompson recorded a 106 miles per hour shot during a game on December 31, 2024. He has really blossomed into a star after being traded from the Blues to the Sabres in 2018.

3. Elias Pettersson | 103.2 mph | 2018-Present

Elias Pettersson is next up on the list of strongest players in the NHL today. He won the Hardest Shot event at the 2023 NHL All-Star Skills Competition with his 103.2 miles per hour slap shot.

Pettersson won the Calder Trophy in the 2018-19 season as the league’s top rookie. The Canucks top-line center posted 102 points in the 2022-23 campaign.

4. Victor Hedman | 103.2 mph | 2009-Present

Victor Hedman, winner of the Hardest Shot event at the NHL All-Star Skills Competition with a 103.2 miles per hour ripper in 2022, is one of the strongest players in the NHL today.

The towering defenseman has spent his entire career with the Lightning. He is a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Bolts and the 2018 Norris Trophy winner.

5. John Carlson | 102.8 mph | 2008-Present

John Carlson recorded a 102.8 miles per hour shot at the 2019 NHL All-Star Skill Competition, placing just inside the top five of strongest players in the NHL today.

Carlson has spent his entire career with the Capitals. Carlson’s defensive ability helped the Capitals win the 2018 Stanley Cup. He surpassed 700 career points in early 2025.

6. Cale Makar | 102.6 mph | 2019-Present

Cale Makar is up next on the list of strongest NHL players today. His hardest shot was recorded at 102.6 miles per hour during the 2024 NHL Hardest Shot competition.

Makar, who plays for the Avalanche, is one of the top defenseman in the league. He has won two Norris Trophies, the 2020 Calder Trophy and a Stanley Cup.

7. Colin Miller | 102.6 mph | 2013-Present

Colin Miller is next up in our list of strongest players in the NHL today with his 102.6 miles per hour shot during a game in January 2024.

The Jets defenseman has recorded nearly 200 points in his NHL career. Miller has made a big impact with his booming shot and veteran presence on the blue line.

8. Darren Raddysh | 102.4 mph | 2021-Present

Darren Raddysh recorded a 102.4 miles per hour shot in a game for the Lightning in January 2024, which is why he is included on the list of strongest players in the NHL today.

After going undrafted, Raddysh made his NHL debut in 2021 and he solidified a roster spot with the Lightning in the 2022-23 season.

9. Oliver Ekman-Larsson | 102.2 mph | 2010-Present

Oliver Ekman-Larsson of the Maple Leafs is next up on the list of strongest players in the NHL today.

In a 2015 game, he recorded a shot that clocked in at 102.2 miles per hour. Ekman-Larsson has amassed 500 points in over 1,000 career NHL games. He won the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers in 2024.

10. Radko Gudas | 101.7 mph | 2008-Present

Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas rounds out our list of strongest players in the NHL today.

His shot speed of 101.7 miles per hour, recorded during a game on November 1, 2023, vaulted him into the top 10. Gudas, the Ducks’ captain, is known for his punishing hits, leadership and shot-blocking.

The Strongest players in the NHL FAQs

Who is the strongest player in the NHL right now?

The strongest player in the NHL right now is Filip Hronek, defenseman for the Vancouver Canucks. Hronek recorded a shot that clocked in at 107.9 miles per hour during a game on November 16, 2023. He’s known for his offensive prowess despite being a defenseman as he’s recorded multiple 30+ point seasons.

What is the average strength of NHL players?

The average strength, as measured by slap shot speed, ranges between 85 and 95 miles per hour. Defensemen typically have harder shots, often averaging in the 90-95 miles per hour range. Elite shooters, including the strongest NHL players, can reach speeds of more than 100 miles per hour on their shots.

How has the average strength of NHL players changed over the years?

The average strength, as measured by slap shot speed, has slightly increased over the years, but it hasn’t been super dramatic. The average slap shot speed in the 1970s and 1980s ranged between 75 and 85 miles per hour. It has slowly increased to where it is today – between 85 and 95 miles per hour. Better equipment, technology and a bigger emphasis on offense has resulted in an increase in speed on slap shots.

How strong is Wayne Gretzky?

Wayne Gretzky is regarded as the greatest hockey player of all-time, but he was not known for being the strongest player in the NHL. For example, his slap shot speed was likely in the range of 75 to 85 miles per hour, although exact measurements of slap shot speed were scarce when he played. Gretzky was more well known for his vision, anticipation, passing and quick wrist shots.

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