*This archive was updated in Oct. 2025
In today’s NHL, speed dominates. No longer can teams roster slow, hulking defensemen capable of obstructing opponents into submission. But, if a player has speed and size, they can be lethal.
Today, the average NHLer stands just over 6-foot-1 and weighs 198 pounds. When compared to the average NHL player of the 1944-45 season – 5-foot-10, 174 pounds – it appears that NHL teams have been giving their players the Captain America Super-Soldier Serum.
But who is the biggest NHL player? Here are the top seven that meet the criteria based on height and weight.
Anthony Stolarz
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 248 pounds
Now the starting goalie for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Anthony Stolarz has come a long way in his NHL journey. He bounced around a few teams, but finally found a home in Toronto, where he has thrived.
He’s also the largest goalie in the league. Standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 248 pounds, Stolarz has the frame to take up most of the net if he’s on his angles. He’s also remarkably agile for his size – he has very strong lateral movements and can make tough, athletic saves if needed.
Aliaksei Protas – Washington Capitals
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 250 pounds
The Capitals might have snagged a gem in the third round of the 2019 NHL Draft. Aliaksei Protas has developed into a speedy top-six forward with incredible size.
The Belarusian forward reached the 30-goal plateau in 2024-25, and should be right around that total moving forward in his career. He has championships at the WHL and AHL levels – he just needs to add a Stanley Cup to his resume at this point.
Alex Ovechkin – Washington Capitals
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 238 pounds
A true power forward, Alex Ovechkin has taken the NHL by storm since first appearing as a 20-year-old in 2005. With nine Maurice “Rocket” Richard trophies to his name, Ovechkin is now the NHL’s goal-scoring leader.
In addition, he’s one of the biggest players in the league. Built like a tank, Ovechkin can still fly up ice and bowl over opponents. Not bad for a 40-year-old.
Elmer Soderblom – Detroit Red Wings
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 252 pounds
A former sixth-round pick, Elmer Soderblom defied the odds and reached the NHL at age 21. The 2025-26 campaign was his first as a full-time NHLer.
Related: 100 Greatest Detroit Red Wings of All-Time
Still learning how to leverage his size, Soderblom isn’t one to throw massive bodychecks. In fact, he’s more of a skilled player than anything. He has soft hands and can drive to the net. And if he can learn how to stay strong against players with lower centers of gravity, he could turn into a solid, two-way middle-six forward for the Red Wings.
Jamie Oleksiak – Seattle Kraken
Height: 6-foot-7
Weight: 252 pounds
Jamie Oleksiak has appeared on this list several times through his career – and for due reason. At 6-foot-7 and 252 pounds, he is an absolute mammoth on the backend for the Kraken.
The 32-year-old is a versatile blueliner, too. He can play on both sides and in offensive and defensive roles. Regardless of role, Oleksiak is an intimidating defenseman, especially to the vast majority of the league that’s smaller than him.
Nikita Zadorov – Boston Bruins
Height: 6-foot-7
Weight: 255 pounds
A few pounds heavier than Oleksiak, Zadorov has been known to thrown bone-crushing hits and be a physical force around his team’s net. Now in Boston, the veteran rearguard is one of the biggest NHLers in the league today.
Throughout his career, Zadorov has averaged 226 hits per 82-game season and has never minded dropping the gloves. In fact, he established a new career-high with 145 penalty minutes in 2024-25 – 20 more than the year prior.
Matt Rempe – New York Rangers
Height: 6-foot-9
Weight: 261 pounds
Who else?
The massive forward for the Rangers has been terrorizing the NHL since entering the league in 2022-23. No stranger to dropping the gloves, Matt Rempe towers over all NHLers as the only active player that’s 6-foot-9.
Rempe isn’t a throwback enforcer, though. The 23-year-old has some surprising offensive skills near the net. He may not be a 20-goal scorer, but plays a valuable role in New York.
Data courtesy of Natural Stat Trick.
