The 10 Oldest Active NHL Players (2025-26)

Who is the oldest player in NHL right now? The new generation of hockey players is making their mark, but the veterans will always have a place.

The 2025-26 season has been wild for the league’s elder statesmen. Three 40-year-olds are still suiting up night after night, with a pair of 39-year-olds not far behind. The average retirement age sits around 28-30, but these warriors are defying Father Time and making serious impacts for their respective clubs.

Let’s take a look at the ten oldest active NHL players and what they’re bringing to the ice this season.

Here are the oldest NHL players active right now:

10. Anze Kopitar (38), Los Angeles Kings

Drafted 11th overall by Los Angeles in 2005, Anze Kopitar has been the Kings’ franchise center for two decades. The Slovenian native is a two-time Stanley Cup champion (2012, 2014) and won the Selke Trophy twice as the league’s best defensive forward. With over 1,300 career points, Kopitar remains LA’s captain despite battling injuries this season.

Kopitar has dealt with a nagging lower-body injury that’s limited his production this season. Through 37 games, he’s tallied 6 goals and 21 points while averaging around 18 minutes per night. The 38-year-old is still elite on faceoffs, winning 57.3% of his draws despite the injury woes. He’s gone shotless in nearly a third of his games, though, a sign that something isn’t quite right.

This is confirmed to be Kopitar’s final NHL season. The franchise leader in games played (1,454), assists (838), and game-winning goals (78) has given everything to the black and silver. When healthy, he’s still one of the best two-way centers in the game.

9. Sidney Crosby (38), Pittsburgh Penguins

Sidney Crosby is 38 years old and having another elite season. Drafted first overall in 2005, the Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia native has won three Stanley Cups (2009, 2016, 2017), two Hart Trophies, and two Conn Smythe Trophies. Sid the Kid isn’t slowing down one bit.

Crosby passed Mario Lemieux to become the Penguins’ all-time leading scorer on December 21, 2025, reaching 1,724 career points. The milestone moved him into 8th place on the NHL’s all-time points list. Historic stuff.

Through 44 games, Sid has 24 goals and 49 points while shooting at an absurd 22.6%. He’s also winning 56.2% of his faceoffs and hasn’t gone consecutive games without a point all season. The Penguins captain is extending his NHL record of consecutive point-per-game seasons to 21. He also scored his 127th game-opening goal, tying Gordie Howe for 4th all-time. The future Hall of Famer is still the best player on the ice most nights.

8. Cam Talbot (38), Detroit Red Wings

Cameron Talbot has had an up-and-down season in Motown. The Caledonia, Ontario native signed a two-year deal with Detroit this summer to split time with John Gibson. Through 21 games, he’s posted an 11-6-3 record with a 3.00 GAA and .888 save percentage.

Talbot has alternated between brilliant stretches and rough patches. After winning four straight games in late November, he dropped six consecutive starts at one point with a 3.77 GAA during that stretch. However, he’s bounced back recently with back-to-back overtime wins.

The 38-year-old remains a veteran presence for Detroit, who currently occupy a playoff spot in the Atlantic Division. Talbot is proving there’s still value in an experienced netminder who knows how to compete.

7. Kris Letang (38), Pittsburgh Penguins

Kris Letang is the third member of Pittsburgh’s aging core still getting it done. Drafted 62nd overall by the Penguins in 2005, the Montreal native has three Stanley Cups to his name (2009, 2016, 2017). He’s been a fixture on Pittsburgh’s blue line for nearly two decades.

Letang played his 1,200th NHL game on January 1, 2026, becoming the 40th defenseman in NHL history to reach this milestone. He celebrated in style by scoring the overtime winner just 58 seconds into OT against Detroit. That’s his 13th career OT goal, tying Scott Niedermayer for 2nd-most among defensemen.

Through 44 games, Letang has 3 goals and 22 points while logging major minutes on the blue line. He’s averaging over 21 minutes per game with 58 hits and 57 blocked shots, still trusted in all situations by head coach Mike Sullivan. The future Hall of Famer holds the Penguins’ franchise record for most points (792), goals (178), and assists (614) by a defenseman. Not bad for a third-round pick.

6. Ryan Reaves (38), San Jose Sharks

Ryan Reaves is 38 years old and bringing his trademark toughness to the league’s youngest team. The Winnipeg native was traded from Toronto to San Jose this summer in exchange for defenseman Henry Thrun. Drafted 156th overall by St. Louis in 2005, “Reavo” has carved out a lengthy career as one of the NHL’s premier tough guys.

Through 38 games, Reaves has 3 goals while racking up a whopping 126 hits, among the league leaders. He went through a 23-game point drought spanning two months before finally finding the net in late December. His role is crystal clear: protect young stars like Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith.

Reaves made headlines in early January when he was knocked out cold in a heavyweight fight with Columbus’ Mathieu Olivier. He’s also dealt with upper and lower-body injuries throughout the season. His analytics might not be pretty, but the Sharks value what he brings to their dressing room. He’s still one of the toughest customers in the league.

5. Evgeni Malkin (39), Pittsburgh Penguins

Evgeni Malkin was drafted second overall by Pittsburgh in 2004 and has spent his entire career with the Penguins, winning three Stanley Cups (2009, 2016, 2017). The Magnitogorsk, Russia native is a two-time Art Ross Trophy winner and captured the Hart Trophy as league MVP in 2012. With over 1,350 career points, “Geno” is a lock for the Hall of Fame.

The 39-year-old is having a bounce-back campaign. The big Russian center has 9 goals and 31 points through 29 games after returning from an upper-body injury in early January. He’s shooting at 12.9% and his chemistry with linemates has been a pleasant surprise.

Malkin became the 48th player in NHL history to score 500 career goals back in October 2024. He’s just the second Russian after Ovechkin to reach that mark. He also reached 500 power-play points, becoming the 3rd Penguin to achieve this feat. The guy is aging like fine wine.

4. Jonathan Quick (39), New York Rangers

Jonathan Quick brings serious championship pedigree to New York, with two Stanley Cups from his Kings days in 2012 and 2014. Drafted 72nd overall by Los Angeles in 2005, the Milford, Connecticut native has carved out a Hall of Fame career as one of the best American-born goaltenders ever. “Quickie” inked a one-year extension and is set to make at least 25 starts to give Igor Shesterkin a breather.

The 39-year-old is the oldest active NHL goalie currently playing. It hasn’t been an easy season, though. Through 14 games, Quick has posted a 3-8-2 record with a 2.78 GAA and .899 save percentage. He hasn’t won since early November and has been winless in his last 10 appearances.

His underlying numbers suggest he’s been let down by the Rangers’ anemic offense. New York has been shutout multiple times this season and scored 2 or fewer goals in over 70% of games. Quick has also been tasked with carrying the load while Shesterkin deals with injury. The oldest active NHL goalie might not be as quick as his name suggests anymore, but his positioning and experience keep him valuable.

3. Alexander Ovechkin (40), Washington Capitals

Alexander Ovechkin turned 40 on September 17th, making him one of just three 40-year-olds in the NHL. Drafted first overall by Washington in 2004, the Moscow native has won numerous awards, including three Hart Trophies and nine Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophies. “Ovi” led the Capitals to their first Stanley Cup championship in 2017-18, earning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.

The Great 8 continues to rewrite the record books. Ovechkin broke Gretzky’s all-time goal record last season with number 895 on April 6, 2025, and now sits at 917 career goals. He’s extending his own record with every shot that finds twine.

Through 46 games, Ovechkin has tallied 20 goals and 40 points while firing 123 shots on net and delivering 81 hits. His 20th goal came against Nashville, scored from his signature spot in the left circle on a 5-on-3 power play. That makes 21 consecutive seasons with at least 20 goals, second only to Gordie Howe’s NHL record of 22. The 40-year-old Caps captain is still one of the most dangerous snipers in the league.

2. Corey Perry (40), Los Angeles Kings

Corey Perry signed with the Kings for 2025-26 after an outstanding playoff run with Edmonton last spring. Drafted 28th overall by Anaheim in 2003, the New Liskeard, Ontario native is a gritty forward with a 2007 Stanley Cup, a 2011 Hart Trophy (MVP), and over 1,400 games played. The 40-year-old knows how to win.

Perry posted 10 goals and 14 points in 22 playoff games with the Oilers last spring, setting an NHL record for most playoff goals by any player age 39 or older in a single postseason. He’s been clutch when it matters most throughout his career.

Through 37 games with LA, Perry has 10 goals and 23 points while shooting at 14.7% in a bottom-6 role. He’s appeared in the Stanley Cup Final in five of the past six seasons but lost each time. He won a Cup with Anaheim back in 2007 but hasn’t hoisted it since. With 935 points in 1,400+ career games, Perry remains one of the final active players from the 2003 draft class. Longevity at its finest.

1. Brent Burns (40), Colorado Avalanche

Born on March 9th, 1985, Brent Burns leads the pack as the NHL’s oldest player currently playing at 40 years old. Drafted 20th overall by Minnesota in 2003, the Barrie, Ontario native made the rare switch from forward to defense and turned into one of the league’s top offensive blueliners. He’s logged over 1,500 games with the Wild, Sharks, Hurricanes, and now Avalanche, picked up a Norris Trophy in 2017, and racked up 910+ career points.

The bearded blueliner inked a one-year deal with Colorado this summer and hasn’t missed a beat. Burns has 8 goals and 23 points through 44 games, averaging nearly 22 minutes a night with 53 blocked shots and a remarkable plus-26 rating. He became just the 4th defenseman in NHL history to record at least 5 goals in a season at age 40 or older.

Burns is chasing NHL history with his consecutive games-played streak now at 967, ranking 3rd all-time. He trails only Keith Yandle (989) for 2nd place and Phil Kessel (1,064) for the all-time record. That missing-tooth grin? Still one of the most recognizable mugs in hockey. The 40-year-old shows few signs of slowing down.

The NHL might belong to the kids, but these vets are showing why experience matters. The oldest NHL players are defying Father Time and have plenty left in the tank.

With Crosby breaking Lemieux’s franchise scoring record, Ovechkin chasing 1,000 career goals, Malkin’s bounce-back campaign, and Burns gunning for the ironman record, these old dogs are still teaching new tricks.

It’ll be fun to see how long these oldest NHL players can keep up the pace. Here’s the full list of the oldest players currently playing for the 2025-26 season:

Full List of Oldest NHL Players in 2025-26

This table shows you just how exclusive the 40-year-old club remains in the 2025-26 season. There are just three active 40-year-olds who have played NHL games this season (Burns, Perry and Ovechkin). These guys are still bringing it night after night when most players their age are on the golf course or in the broadcast booth.

The game keeps getting faster and younger, but these old-timers are still showing the kids how it’s done. That’s why fans love ’em and why the young guys in the room are always all ears when they speak up.