But the league isn't just a haven for the old guard. The kids are alright, too. The influx of talent in the last few years has been impressive, with a combination of the skill of those youngsters and the changes brought by a salary cap system creating more and more opportunities for younger players to earn spots.
Those youngsters are cashing in, too, with 2009 top pick John Tavares already re-signed to a six-year, $33 million extension and Evander Kane expected to sign a similar deal in Winnipeg. Other youngsters are still awaiting their big paydays, but that hasn't stopped them from making an impact in the NHL, even at a time when many of them have yet to reach the legal drinking age in the U.S.