Regardless of whether he is a dominant athlete, entering the professional ranks of the NHL at the young age of 18 remains an achievement in itself. So, when these same players manage to have success at that age while playing against the best players in the world, it's a safe bet that you have a pretty special player on your hands.
With this in mind, the NHL Network has listed players who have managed to reach the 20-goal mark at just 18-years-old since the 2009-10 season:
Nico Hischier - 20 goals in 2017-18
The native of Switzerland was selected 1st overall in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. After a season with the Halifax Mooseheads in the QMJHL, where he scores 86 points in 56 games, the New Jersey Devils decided to use their first overall pick to claim the 6'1 " and 175 pounder and it's safe to say it was a good choice. In his first season in the NHL, Hischier not only scored 20 goals and 52 points, he also played in five playoff games. In 2018-2019 he missed 13 games with an injury and the winger was not able to get back to the 20 goal mark, but was very close, scoring 17.
Andrei Svechnikov - 20 goals in 2018-19
Drafted 2nd overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2018, Andrei Svechnikov broke through the "Bunch of jerks" roster in his first year of eligibility and lived up to expectations. He broke into the NHL with 20 goals and 37 points, and then added three more goals in nine games playoffs.
Nathan MacKinnon - 24 goals in 2013-14
Recognized as a franchise player, MacKinnon wasted no time making a name for himself at the age of 18 with the Colorado Avalanche. Also a product of the Halifax Mooseheads, the native of Cole Harbour, NS was particularly good in 2013-14 with 24 goals and 63 points, which earned him the Calder Trophy, given to the best rookie of the year in the NHL. MacKinnon exploded two seasons ago, recording 97 and 99 points respecively.
Jeff Skinner - 31 goals in 2010-11
A true sensation nine years ago, Skinner had had a great first year with the Carolina Hurricanes at the age of 18, collecting 31 goals and 63 points, which also earned him the Calder Trophy. Unfortunately, the seasons that followed were not as productive for the Canadian sniper. Suffering several concussions in his career, Skinner reached the 30 goal mark three times in the following eight seasons, including a season of 40 goals in 2018-19 with the Buffalo Sabers. Nevertheless, he remains, beyond a shadow of a doubt, a very good player, which pushed the Sabers to give him a contract of $72 million over eight years, which will end July 1st, 2027.
Patrik Laine - 36 goals in 2016-17
At the top of the list is Finland native Patrik Laine. Drafted 2nd overall in 2016 by the Winnipeg Jets , just behind Auston Matthews. Laine scored 36 times at 18-years-old and put up a total of 64 points. Let's just say Laine is literally built to score goals by the ton, never getting less than 30 goals in three seasons in the NHL. He even scored 44 in 2017-18. Although he has had a relatively disappointing season last year and is still without a contract for next season, Laine is likely to make history in the NHL with all the goals he should have in his career.
Sources: NHL Network
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