If you asked most NHL fans to name the two best players in the league, they would probably go straight to Nathan MacKinnon (30) and Connor McDavid (28). Hard to argue: they’ve been keeping the score charts for years, and everyone knows it. But something interesting happens this season. Two kids, 19-year-old Macklin Celebrini and 20-year-old Connor Bedard, begin to weave their way into the same conversation about “who’s actually the best?”
So I thought: why don’t we take a look for ourselves? Put their numbers side by side and see how things really stand as of December 9. And honestly, the gap between these four isn’t nearly as wide as you might expect.
The established elite:
MacKinnon sets the pace
If anyone is pushing the numbers for the 2025-2026 regular season right now, it’s Nathan MacKinnon. With 49 points in 29 games and a whopping 133 shots, he controls Colorado’s offense with the force of a one-man rush. His 18% shooting percentage and 21:39 average ice time show that efficiency and workload come together at the superstar level. This is a player at the height of his powers, and the data backs it up.
McDavid’s ‘quiet’ season, but only by his own standards
Connor McDavid is having a mediocre season, with 42 points in 29 games. Well, it’s so-so for him. For other NHL players, it would be a career season. His shots have been busted (87), his finishing has been sub-par (16.1%) and his plus-minus is at -6, which is mostly a reminder of Edmonton’s uneven start. Still, 28 assists put him level with Celebrini for second in this group. Even in a “slow” year, he remains a machine.
The phenomena are increasing:
Celebrini’s playmaking pops
If you’re looking for the biggest surprise on the page, it’s Macklin Celebrini. The rookie has 43 points in 30 games, powered by an elite 28 assists – on par with McDavid – and a sharp 18.5% shooting clip. He does this while playing 20:10 a night on a rebuilding Sharks team. The numbers scream “future superstar,” but the efficiency says he might already be one.
Bedard takes pictures like a superstar
This season, Connor Bedard is scoring goals and setting up his teammates. He has already fired 98 shots and scored 18 times in 29 games, the pace you would expect from MacKinnon in his early years. His shooting percentage of 18.4% is almost unbelievable for a teenager who faces competition every night. Combine that with 22 assists and his 40 points are proof positive that he’s there.
Who would have expected the difference to be so small?
When we look at the totals side by side, something becomes clearer. MacKinnon and McDavid aren’t backing down; the children keep it up. Celebrini matches McDavid in playmaking. Bedard almost matches MacKinnon in terms of shot making. The next era is not coming, it is here. And based on the numbers alone, the league’s balance of power could shift faster than anyone thought.
The NHL season offers a rare opportunity: a live, statistical showdown between two generations. The experienced players like MacKinnon and McDavid have dominated the competition for years. But newcomers Celebrini and Bedard don’t just show up; they make their presence felt. Their playing is faster, sharper and more ready than anyone expected. Compare their stats to those of the veterans and the gap isn’t nearly as wide as you might think.
Related: NHL Trade Talk Recap: Canucks, Flames and Ex-Oiler Help Hildeby Shine
#Celebrini #Bedard #McDavid #MacKinnon #Whos