From Lane Hutson to Gavin McKenna: The 11 Lightest Players in the NHL

After a tough season with the Flyers, Matvei Michkov arrived at training camp in a completely different shape. The young Russian is reported to have lost about 30 pounds, dropping from around 205 pounds to just 172. It’s a major change for a player who will now be looking to bounce back and, above all, impress Rick Tocchet. There’s no doubt about Michkov’s offensive talent, but his work ethic and off-puck play will have to step up if he wants to take his game to the next level.

With Tocchet behind the bench, there’s no room for slacking off. Michkov could take a cue from Trevor Zegras, who has significantly improved his 200-foot game and his commitment over the past few years. The potential is there; now it’s a matter of fully realizing it.

Nikita Kucherov is the perfect example of how you don’t need to be physically imposing to dominate in the NHL. At 5 feet 11 inches and 172 pounds, the Russian forward for the Tampa Bay Lightning relies far more on his exceptional intelligence than on his physicality. His renowned hockey IQ allows him to anticipate the play, find passing lanes that very few players see, and consistently stay one step ahead of his opponents.

Kucherov thus remains one of the league’s most dangerous forwards. Despite his relatively slight frame, he manages to produce at an exceptional rate year after year. His talent, vision, and creativity should once again allow him to have a tremendous season with the Lightning.

Jordan Binnington is undoubtedly one of the slimmest goaltenders in the NHL. At 6 feet 2 inches and just 172 pounds, the St. Louis Blues veteran practically looks like a scallion in front of his net! With Binnington, however, his performances can sometimes be like the weather: blazing sunshine one day, followed by a violent downpour the next. One thing remains certain: when the pressure mounts, the 33-year-old goaltender has a competitive edge that can make all the difference.

He’s proven this with the Blues, but also on the international stage. St. Louis has an intriguing roster this season, and if the team wants to make the playoffs, it will need a Binnington who is solid, consistent, and capable of raising his game when it counts.

Still relatively unknown to many fans, Denver Barkey is quietly beginning to make his mark in the NHL. A third-round pick by the Philadelphia Flyers in 2023, the 21-year-old center made an excellent first impression in his NHL debut. At 5 feet 10 inches and 171 pounds, Barkey obviously doesn’t have the most imposing frame, but he makes up for it with his energy, speed, agility, and extremely competitive nature.

A skilled playmaker, he’s also capable of contributing across the entire 200 feet of the ice and constantly disrupting the opposition. His style is reminiscent of that of his teammate Travis Konecny, or even Mats Zuccarello. Barkey remains a name to watch: his small frame belies a particularly tenacious player.

At 5 feet 8 inches and 169 pounds, Bobby Brink is one of the smallest players in the NHL, but certainly not one of the least tenacious. The forward now plays for his hometown team, the Minnesota Wild, after beginning his NHL career with the Philadelphia Flyers. Fast, skilled, and tenacious, Brink has learned to use his strengths to compensate for his lack of height and make his mark on the ice.

After facing some challenges in recent seasons, he now appears ready to reignite his career. His strong start to the season with the Wild is encouraging. With his offensive skills and determination, Brink has what it takes to bounce back and become a key player in Minnesota.

At 168 pounds, Nikolaj Ehlers has never had to rely on his physicality to carve out a place for himself in the NHL. After spending most of his career with the Winnipeg Jets, the Danish winger is now continuing his journey with the Carolina Hurricanes, with whom he recently hoisted the Stanley Cup.

Ehlers is best known for his explosive speed, agility, and ability to generate offense by carrying the puck himself. He’s certainly not the most physical player, but he more than makes up for it with his speed and skill. Capable of turning a game around with a single play, Ehlers has also shown that he can rise to the occasion when the stakes are high.

Still relatively unknown to many fans, Maxim Shabanov is now trying to find his place with the Minnesota Wild. Weighing just 167 pounds, the small Russian winger nonetheless possesses offensive skills that allowed him to stand out in the KHL before trying his luck in North America. His stint with the New York Islanders didn’t necessarily yield the results he’d hoped for, but Shabanov seems to have found a promising environment in Minnesota.

Creative with the puck, fast, and particularly effective on the power play, he could become a valuable asset for the Wild. In a diverse offense featuring several talented players, Shabanov has the tools to make his mark. It’s now up to him to turn his offensive skills into consistent production in the NHL.

At 5 feet 9 inches and 166 pounds, Jared Spurgeon is the third and final Minnesota Wild player on this list. Despite his small stature for a defenseman, the veteran has built a remarkable NHL career thanks to his intelligence, tenacity, and great versatility. As captain of the Wild, Spurgeon perfectly embodies the organization’s culture and remains a model of consistency for his teammates.

Throughout his time in Minnesota, he has played alongside key leaders such as Mikko Koivu, Zach Parise, and Ryan Suter—a true school of leadership. Spurgeon has never needed to be the biggest or the toughest; his positioning, anticipation, and commitment have allowed him to make his mark over many seasons.

At just 165 pounds, Logan Stankoven plays like a much more imposing forward. Recently crowned Stanley Cup champion with the Carolina Hurricanes, the young forward quickly made a name for himself with his passion, tenacity, and constant drive to attack the danger zones. His excellent shot and effectiveness around the net make him an offensive threat despite his small frame.

Stankoven also possesses leadership qualities that align perfectly with the identity Rod Brind’Amour is fostering in Carolina. Acquired in a major trade with the Dallas Stars involving Mikko Rantanen, he is now a key piece of the Hurricanes’ future. He may not be six feet tall, but the way he plays often gives the impression that he is. A true little warrior on the ice.

At just 18 years old and 164 pounds, Gavin McKenna is still on the small side for the NHL. It’s hard not to draw a parallel with Jack Hughes when he first started out. When Hughes entered the league at 18, he, too, was small, slender, and not yet physically strong enough to make an immediate impact. A few years later, the results speak for themselves. McKenna could follow a similar path.

His game relies primarily on his finesse, creativity, vision, and offensive skills rather than on physicality. Over time, he’ll naturally build muscle mass and learn to use his body more effectively. Like Hughes before him, his talent is already exceptional; he’ll simply need to give his physique time to catch up.

At the top of this list is Lane Hutson, who weighs just 162 pounds. Yet when you watch the Montreal Canadiens’ star defenseman play, his size quickly becomes a secondary concern. Hutson is, of course, known for his exceptional skills, mobility, and creativity with the puck, but his competitive spirit is perhaps the most impressive aspect of his game.

He almost never gives up on a play and refuses to be intimidated by much larger opponents. In the corners of the rink, he even manages to make 6-foot-4 players look bad thanks to his intelligence and determination. Hutson is living proof that in hockey, weighing a few pounds less doesn’t stop you from playing like a giant.