Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Guess Who’s the Fastest Skater in the NHL?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Hartnett | Last updated Oct 10, 2025 5:32 PM ET

Highlights

Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers tops all skaters with a speed of 24.61 miles per hour.
McDavid recently agreed to a two-year, $25 million contract extension to remain in Edmonton.
Columbus Blue Jackets wing Miles Wood still holds the modern-day speed record at 24.82 miles per hour.

According to NHL EDGE tracking, Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid leads all NHL skaters this season with a top speed of 24.61 miles per hour.

McDavid reached his highest top speed (since EDGE tracking was introduced in 2021-22) during Edmonton’s home opener against the Calgary Flames on Oct. 8. Though he recorded two assists in the contest, the Oilers lost 4-3 in a shootout.

The 28-year-old center recently signed a team-friendly, two-year contract extension worth $25 million. He is the only player to record four 22 mile per hour bursts this season.

Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) skates during the warmup period.Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

McDavid is the only player to win the fastest skater competition at the NHL All-Star Skills Competition four times. His 2024 time of 13.408 seconds beat out Mathew Barzal of the New York Islanders, who finished runner-up at 13.519 seconds.

Columbus Blue Jackets wing Miles Wood holds the all-time speed record since EDGE tracking began in 2021 at 24.82 miles per hour, set last season while he was a member of the Colorado Avalanche.

Nathan MacKinnon, Brayden Point Rank Among NHL’s Speedsters

Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon (29) skates during warm up at Rogers Arena.Bob Frid-Imagn Images

Last season, McDavid’s teammate broke the 24 miles per hour barrier. Mattias Janmark clocked in at 24.36 miles per hour on Nov. 30, 2024 against the Avalanche.

Colorado’s alternate captain Nathan MacKinnon was recorded at 24.05 miles per hour on Dec. 23, 2023. Brayden Point of the Tampa Bay Lightning reached 24.15 miles per hour on Dec. 27, 2023.

Who’s the All-Time Fastest Skater?

New York Rangers right wing Pavel Bure (9) and Ronald Petrovicky (38) in action against Edmonton Oilers left wing Shawn Horcoff (10) at Madison Square Garden. Lou Capozzola-USA TODAY NETWORKLou Capozzola-USA TODAY NETWORK

Since EDGE tracking has only been recorded for five seasons, it’s hard to say who definitively is the NHL’s all-time fastest skater.

Pavel Bure, Peter Bondra and Sergei Fedorov were among hockey’s blazing skaters during the 1990s.

Bobby Hull was nicknamed “The Golden Jet” for a reason. The Hall of Famer was believed to have skated at 29.7 miles per hour, according to a Popular Mechanics story published in 1968. Similarly, Yvan Cournoyer of the Montreal Canadiens was called “The Roadrunner” for his blistering speed.

Thankfully, modern technology can accurately track today’s skaters.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: