7 Biggest NHL Players in Today’s Game

*This archive was updated in Oct. 2026

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.

1. Matt Rempe – New York Rangers

Height: 6-foot-9

Weight: 268 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 24-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.

2. Elmer Soderblom – Pittsburgh Penguins

Height: 6-foot-8

Weight: 254 pounds

A former sixth-round pick, Elmer Soderblom defied the odds and reached the NHL at age 21. The 2026-27 campaign was his second as a full-time NHLer.

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 Penguins.

3. Jamie Oleksiak – Vancouver Canucks

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 Canucks.

The 33-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.

4. 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.

5. Anthony Stolarz

Height: 6-foot-6

Weight: 248 pounds

Now manning the net 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.

6. Curtis Douglas – Seattle Kraken

Height: 6-foot-9

Weight: 242 pounds

Kraken forward Curtis Douglas is tied with Rempe as the NHL’s tallest player and is also one of its most unique physical presences. His value extends beyond sheer size, as his reach, strength and willingness to play a heavy game can make him difficult to handle along the walls and around the net. After appearing in 43 games last season, Douglas gives Seattle a legitimate physical deterrent in its bottom six.

7. Nikita Zadorov – Boston Bruins

Height: 6-foot-7

Weight: 244 pounds

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 223 hits per 82-game season and has never minded dropping the gloves. In fact, he established a new career-high with 152 penalty minutes last season.

Data courtesy of Natural Stat Trick.