2. Shot speed
Thompson, who’s 6-foot-6, is a towering, skilled forward with one of the hardest shots in the entire NHL. Per NHL EDGE stats, Thompson leads all forwards in 90-plus mph shot attempts (29) this season and has the fifth-hardest shot at his position (97.94 mph). He also ranks in the 97th percentile among forwards in average shot speed (64.59 mph).
Last season, Thompson recorded the hardest shot attempt of the NHL’s puck and player tracking era (since 2021-22), reaching 106.00 mph for the Sabres on Dec. 31, 2024.
Hughes, meanwhile, ranks highly among defensemen in hardest shot (95.04 mph; 81st percentile). In terms of shot attempts between 70-80 mph, Hughes ranks in the 98th percentile among defensemen (117).
3. Skating speed
Hughes, an elite playmaker who leads the entire NHL in average ice time (27:52 per game), and Thompson, an extremely skilled puck-handler for a forward of his size, have both been fast skaters at their respective positions in the NHL this season.
Per NHL EDGE stats, Hughes ranks sixth among defensemen in 20-plus mph speed bursts (113; 98th percentile at position) this season. Hughes also ranks highly among defensemen in max skating speed (22.51 mph; 86th percentile), while Thompson ranks highly among forwards in that category (22.85 mph; 82nd percentile).