Sporting News' NHL top 25players under 25 series is a project to identify and celebrate the very best young talent in hockey. A 10-person panel ofSN NHL experts submitted ballots ranking players 1-25, forming a composite list. For a detailed explanation on voting criteria and the indexing proce s, . The Brandon Brennan Jersey NHL's youth movement is in full swing.More than ever, the league's youngest players double as its most vibrant, marketablestars and there areplenty. Such anembarra sment of riches is on full display in Sporting News' NHL 25 under 25 series, a comprehensive ranking of thebest NHL players under the age of 25 heading into the 2018-19 season.Between Aug. 20-24, we'll reveal our picks in increments of five, counting down from No. 25 to No. 1. Today, we wrap a bow around this feature with the top five reveal. You'll never gue s who's No. 1 (sarcasm). And by proce s of elimination, you might be able to a sume Nos. 2-5 as well. That's a testament to the incredible amount of skill included in this installment they're all perennial all-stars and, probably, future Hall of Famers.TOP25 UNDER25: 5. Patrik Laine, RW, JetsAge: 20Highest ranking: 2Lowest ranking: 14Accolades:Two years of NHL service; two-time All-Star (2016-17, 2017-18); Calder Trophy runner-up (2016-17); member of Finland's IIHF World Championship (2016) and World Cup of Hockey (2016) teamsWhy he made SN's list:Simply put, whenever Laine hops over the boards, hes a threat to score. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft hasnt stopped finding the back of the net in his young profe sional career, and is very effective in getting his shot off, one of the toughest releases to read for opposing goaltenders in the NHL.Laine, the youngest player ranked by SN's panel, enters his 20sthirdin NHL history in goals by a teenager (80).Future outlook:At 6-5, Laine is also beginning to realize how to use his size and leverage different situations, which will only make him tougher to defend. Hes got the perfect swagger and mentality to be the NHLs next great goal scorer, and will inherit that title whenever Alex Ovechkin finally hangs them up. Evan Sporer 4. Aleksander Barkov, C, PanthersAge: 23Highest ranking: 3Lowest ranking: 9Accolades: Five years of NHL service; All-Star (2017-18); two-time Lady Byng Award finalist (2015-16, 2017-18); 2014 Olympian; two-time member of Finland's IIHF World Championship team (2016, 2017); member of Finland's World Edwin Encarnacion Jersey Cup of Hockey team (2016)Why he made SN's list: Barkov isn't generally mentioned in the same breath as Auston Matthews, Nathan MacKinnonor Jack Eichel as the NHL's next wave of star centerman, but it's clear he belongs. The second overall pick in 2013 behind MacKinnonstepped into the NHL as an 18-year-old and has increased his stock each year since, even through injury. In 2017-18, Barkov announced himself as one of hockey's truly elite two-way forwards, piling up a career-high 78 points in 79 games and finishing fourth in Selke voting for best defensive forward.Future outlook: Pavel Datsyuk. Patrice Bergeron. Anze Kopitar. Barkovand Sean Couturier arethe next Reggie McClain Jersey wave of defensively dominant forwards whofigure to continue the NHL's Selkemonopoly for the foreseeable future. He's the biggest reason for optimism the Panthers are ready to disrupt theplayoff orderthis season. 3. Auston Matthews, C, Maple LeafsAge: 21Highest ranking: 2Lowest ranking: 6Accolades:Two years of NHL service;Calder Trophy winner (2016-17); All-Star (2016-17, 2017-18); member of USA's IIHF World Championship team (2016); member of Team North America at the World Cup of Hockey (2016)Why he made SN's list:A perfect prism that sheds light on Matthews dominance in his two NHL season of service: Hes first in the NHL in 5-on-5 goals the past two seasons (55) despite mi sing 20 games in his sophomore year due to various injuries. Matthews is already such a proven driver and producer of offense, and he still could have room to grow.Future outlook:If he stays in a Maple Leafs sweater long term (which seems like a safe bet), Matthews will have John Tavares flanking him on the depth chart, the definition of a matchup nightmare. So that leaves Matthews in a cushier position, still years before hell truly be in his prime. Hes a better defensive player than he gets credit for, and hes finding ways to take over games in different ways. Evan Sporer 2. Nathan MacKinnon, C, AvalancheAge: 23Highest ranking: 2Lowest ranking: 5Accolades: Five years of NHL service; Hart Trophy runner-up (2017-18); Calder Trophy winner (2013-14); two-time All-Star (2013-14,2017-18); three-time member of Tom Murphy Jersey Canada's IIHFWorld Championship team (2014, 2015, 2017); member of Team North America at the World Cup of Hockey (2016)Why he made SN's list:MacKinnon's stock has skyrocketed since this time last year, perhaps more than any other player in the NHL. In August 2017, the Avalanche were still dealing with the Matt Duchene drama. After he was shipped out in September, the weight of the franchisefell on MacKinnon's shoulders, and he responded by orchestrating one of the mostremarkable year-over-year turnarounds in NHL history as Colorado improved by 47 points and reached the postseason.MacKinnon's39 goals and 97 points were career bests by a country mile, and would have won him league MVP in a normal year uncontested by Taylor Hall's heroics.Future outlook:Now that MacKinnonhas made good on the hype being drafted No. 1 overall in 2013, it's up to him to sustain it. There's no reason he can't be a fixture in MVP and scoring title races for years to come. 1. Connor McDavid, C, OilersAge: 21Highest ranking: 1Lowest ranking: 1Accolades: Three years of NHL service; Hart Trophy winner (2016-17); two-time NHL scoring champion (2016-17, 2017-18); two-time Ted Lindsay Award winner (2016-17, 2017-18); Calder Trophy finalist (2015-16);three-time All-Star (2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18); two-time member of Canada's IIHF World Championship team (2016, 2018); member of Team North America at the World Cup of Hockey (2016)Why he made SN's list:There shouldn't have been much suspense about which player would top this exercise.McDavidis SN's unanimous selection at No. 1, earning 10 out of 10 first-place votes.It wasn't Edwin Diaz Jersey close. Three seasons, two scoring titles, and one MVP award for snapping Edmonton's nine-year playoff famine, he's already one of the most accomplished players under 25 all time. McDavid isn't just the NHL's best under-25er; he's arguably the besthockey player on the planet right now.At this juncture, the only thing holding him back is the Oilers' ineptitude, but he has the ability to overc