Ice hockey has evolved into one of the fastest sports on the planet, and it’s only getting faster. The modern NHL is built on explosive speed, quick transitions, and rapid decision-making. In today’s game, speed isn’t just an asset. It’s a necessity.
Gone are the days when size and brute strength alone could carry a player to the top. The traditional mold of the towering, physically dominant skater is giving way to a new archetype: agile, dynamic, and lightning-quick athletes who can outpace defenders and change direction on a dime.
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Martin Nečas, Colorado Avalanche (source: iSport.cz)
As the pace of the NHL accelerates year after year, so does the demand for players who can keep up. Speed training has become a crucial part of player development, and smaller, more mobile players are thriving in a league that now values acceleration and agility more than ever before.
Which leads us to the big question: Who is the fastest skater in the NHL right now? And just as importantly - what do the numbers say about the shift in game speed across the league? Let’s break it down in this data-driven blog based on real tracking statistics from NHL EDGE. Buckle up, this could get fast.
Martin Pospíšil, Calgary Flames (source: Yahoo Sports)
Who is the fastest NHL player according to the EDGE?
A while back, we dove deep into NHL EDGE data to explore one of the most exciting questions in the game: Who is the fastest skater in the NHL? In that blog, we broke down how NHL EDGE tracking technology measures player speed, and we highlighted the top names who dominated the ice with raw pace and explosiveness.
But the game never slows down - and neither does the data. A new season means new numbers, new leaders, and new jaw-dropping performances. The 2024–25 NHL season brought us even more speed, more distance covered, and more high-tempo action than ever before. So, it’s time for an update. Who hit the highest top speed this season? Who logged the most skating distance? And how does it compare to seasons past?
Lane Hutson, Montreal Canadiens (source: NY Times)
Fastest NHL players 2024-2025: Forwards
The 2024–25 season saw some jaw-dropping top speeds among forwards. Colorado Avalanche's Miles Wood shattered previous records, clocking a blistering 24.82 mph - the fastest speed ever captured by NHL EDGE since player tracking began in 2021–22.
Earlier in the season, Carolina’s Martin Nečas reached 24.49 mph, which at the time topped all forwards and narrowly surpassed Edmonton teammate Mattias Janmark’s 24.26 mph. To put it in perspective, the average top speed for NHL forwards hovers around 21.98 mph, making these elite bursts of acceleration truly exceptional.
Source: NHL EDGE
Beyond single top-end runs, sustained speed bursts (20 mph+) are a key indicator of consistent play pace. Nathan MacKinnon led the league with 547 bursts, while Connor McDavid wasn’t far behind (442) - another speed demon outpacing all but one.
Meanwhile, Martin Nečas recorded an impressive 370 bursts, showcasing the combination of elite max speed and relentless skating. These numbers reflect a trend toward not just reaching top speed - but maintaining it repeatedly throughout games, reinforcing why modern forwards need both explosive power and endurance on the ice.
Source: NHL EDGE
Fastest NHL players 2024-2025: Defensemen
When it comes to sheer speed among defensemen in the 2024–25 NHL season, Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks leads the pack with an incredible top speed of 24.56 mph, making him not only the fastest defenseman this season but one of the fastest skaters in the entire league.
Close behind Hughes is Jaccob Slavin from the Carolina Hurricanes, who hit 24.19 mph, showcasing the elite pace modern blueliners bring to the game. Other standout defenders pushing the limits include Lane Hutson at 23.77 mph, Elias Pettersson at 23.72 mph, and dual contributors like Jake McCabe and Erik Karlsson, both reaching 23.67 mph.
Source: NHL EDGE
But it’s not just about one explosive sprint - these players maintain impressive speed bursts throughout games. Cale Makar recorded a top speed of 23.63 mph and continues to impress with his relentless skating endurance and dynamic playmaking. Alongside him, Luke Hughes and Justin Barron both reached 23.58 mph, while Jake Sanderson closed out the top ten defensemen with 23.53 mph. This data clearly shows how the modern NHL defenseman must combine speed, agility, and stamina to keep up with the lightning-fast pace of today’s game.
When it comes to sustained high-speed efforts, Cale Makar stands out as the leader among defensemen with an impressive 206 bursts exceeding 20 mph throughout the 2024–25 season. Close on his heels is Jake Sanderson, who logged 199 such bursts, demonstrating exceptional endurance and repeated high-velocity sprints. Other notable blueliners include Zach Werenski (162 bursts), Brandon Montour (140), and veteran Erik Karlsson (139), all showcasing how today’s defensemen combine top-end speed with relentless, repeated bursts to keep up with the game’s increasing pace.
Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets (source: 1st Ohio Battery)
Fastest NHL players 2024-2025: Total
The 2024–25 NHL season has pushed skating speeds to new heights, with Miles Wood of the Colorado Avalanche setting the bar with a record-breaking top speed of 24.82 mph - the fastest ever tracked by NHL EDGE since player tracking began.
Close on his heels is the lightning-quick defenseman Quinn Hughes (24.56 mph), followed by forwards like Martin Nečas (24.49 mph) and Rasmus Kupari (24.47 mph), who have all displayed elite bursts of speed capable of changing the pace of any game.
Other speed demons rounding out the top ten include Seth Jarvis (24.42 mph), Mattias Janmark (24.36 mph), and seasoned stars such as Steven Stamkos (24.21 mph) and Jaccob Slavin (24.19 mph). This elite group exemplifies the evolution of the NHL into a league where raw pace and explosive skating ability are essential for success, no matter the player’s position.
Source: NHL EDGE
Speed isn’t just about hitting peak velocity - it’s about how often a player can push themselves into high gears during games. This season, Nathan MacKinnon led the league with an astonishing 547 bursts exceeding 20 mph, showcasing his relentless skating intensity and ability to sustain high speed over long stretches.
Trailing behind him are perennial speedster Connor McDavid with 442 bursts and Brayden Point with 422 bursts, proving that these elite athletes not only hit incredible top speeds but repeatedly accelerate throughout the game to maintain relentless pressure on opponents. Others like Tim Stützle (380 bursts), Martin Nečas (370), and Roope Hintz (363) also logged impressive numbers, highlighting how speed and endurance have become critical components for top-tier NHL players.
Brayden Point, Tampa Bay Lightning (source: NY Times, GI)
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Fastest NHL players 2024-2025: Playoffs
The intensity and pace of the 2025 NHL playoffs remain sky-high, with Connor McDavid leading all skaters with a top speed of 23.92 mph. Right behind him, Viktor Arvidsson clocks in at 23.90 mph, and Roope Hintz maintains an impressive 23.67 mph.
Other key playoff speedsters include Noah Hanifin (23.66 mph), Nathan MacKinnon (23.51 mph), and Cale Makar (23.28 mph), proving that even when the stakes are highest, elite speed continues to be a critical factor.
Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers (source: NY Times)
Will NHL Players Be Even Faster?
With skating speeds reaching unprecedented levels this season - led by blazing talents like Miles Wood, Quinn Hughes, and Martin Nečas - the question naturally arises: how much faster can NHL players get? Advances in training, equipment technology, and analytics like NHL EDGE continue to push athletes toward peak physical performance.
Players such as Nathan MacKinnon and Connor McDavid demonstrate not only raw speed but remarkable endurance and repeated bursts of pace, setting a new standard for the league. As the game grows faster and more demanding, it’s exciting to imagine how the next generation of players will raise the bar even higher, redefining what it means to be elite in the world’s fastest game.
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