5 other NHL rookies to know besides Auston Matthews
Auston Matthews isn’t the only impressive NHL rookie. Here are five other rookies worth watching in the 2016-17 season.
The 2016-17 NHL season is still young, but its rookie class is already looking impressive. Of the 33 rookies to make their debut entering Saturday, Oct. 15, 12 of them already have at least one point. At the top of the class is Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews, whose debut included four goals. Matthews is a very special player and his dominance, even in just one game, is quite rare to witness from a teenager.
However, Matthews isn’t the only stud from the 2016-17 rookie class. A new wave of young players are entering the league and they’re ready to make an immediate impact. This rookie class could go down in history as one of the greatest.
While Matthews is the heavy favorite to win the Calder Trophy, his Calder Trophy is far from a guarantee because there are other contenders. Here are five rookies worth watching other than Matthews.
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5. William Nylander – Toronto Maple Leafs
William Nylander made his NHL debut last season for the Maple Leafs. In 22 games, he had 13 points, an impressive debut for the eighth overall pick of the 2014 draft. However, he fell short of the Calder Trophy qualifications, so he’s still technically a rookie. Nylander will likely be overlooked thanks to Matthews, but he’s just one of many impressive young players with the Leafs.
Matthews scored four goals in his debut. Nylander got an assist on two of them. He is much more of a passer than Matthews, making him a nice complement to Matthews and his aggressive scoring style. It’s worth noting the Maple Leafs have yet another impressive rookie worth watching on their roster in Mitch Marner. Against the Ottawa Senators, Marner might have been the second best Leafs forward and was easily one of the four best.
Calder Trophy chances: 5 percent. Nylander’s case for the Calder will suffer because Matthews is likely going to steal his thunder.
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4. Travis Konecny – Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers have two impressive rookies on their NHL roster. One of them is forward Travis Konecny. Many thought Konecny would be drafted in the top 15 of the 2015 draft. However, he fell all the way to 24th before the Philadelphia Flyers traded him to get him. Trading up for him was a bold move. However, the Flyers are currently reaping the benefits.
Konecny made the Flyers opening night roster after impressing the team during training camp and preseason. He rewarded them with an impressive two assist performance in his debut against the Los Angeles Kings. In just over 13 minutes of playing time, he also had three shots on goal. Konecny quickly rose to the Flyers roster thanks to a strong 2015-16 season in juniors. Split between the Ottawa 67’s and the Sarnia Sting, Konecny had 101 points in 60 games.
Much like Nylander, Konecny isn’t much of a goal scorer. Instead, he’s more known for his playmaking and his skating. Konecny can thank the Pittsburgh Penguins because their aggressive approach to having three scoring lines likely ensured him of a roster spot. The Flyers are still being patient with him, putting him in an isolated role until he proves he’s ready for more. Yet another wise decision from general manager Ron Hextall and the rest of the Flyers.
Calder Trophy chances: Five percent. Even though he will rack up assists, he’s likely not going to be put up the numbers necessary to challenge Matthews. Plus he has a teammate to worry about.
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3. Zach Werenski – Columbus Blue Jackets
Team USA’s performance at the World Cup of Hockey has a lot of Americans worried about their country’s future on the ice. Looking at Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski, America’s future is in good hands. Werenski entered the 2015 NHL Draft as one of the top rated defensemen. While his defense was still a work in progress, his offensive potential was off the charts. The Blue Jackets drafted him with the eighth overall pick.
Since being drafted, Werenski has quieted his critics. His defense might still be a work in progress, but his defense has greatly improved over the past 12 months. Werenski dominated at the University of Michigan with 36 points in 36 games during the 2015-16 season. He joined the Lake Erie Monsters, the Blue Jackets’ AHL affiliate in time to play seven regular season games. During the AHL playoffs, he took off, scoring five goals with 14 points in 17 games as the Monsters won the Calder Trophy.
Werenski got an assist in his debut, a 6-3 loss to the Boston Bruins. He played over 20 minutes in the game, showing the Blue Jackets trust him quite a bit.
Calder Trophy chances: 10 percent. Werenski will definitely get the ice time necessary to put up impressive numbers. But sadly, he plays on perhaps the worst team in the NHL. Whether it’s fair or not, unless you’re putting up Connor McDavid numbers, that’s going to hurt your Calder chances.
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2. Ivan Provorov – Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers’ second impressive rookie on their NHL roster is defenseman Ivan Provorov. Last season, the Flyers’ playoff push was defined by the excitement surrounding rookie defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere. As great as Gostisbehere is, Provorov, the seventh overall pick of the 2015 draft, is even better.
Gostisbehere is and likely always will be an offensive-minded defenseman. His defense isn’t going to blow anyone away. Provorov, however, has all the makings of a complete defenseman. He has an even higher ceiling than Gostisbehere on offense and is already better than him defensively.
The Flyers are very conservative with their prospects, so it’s telling Provorov is already in the NHL. He had over 20 minutes of ice time in his debut against the Kings and got an assist in the game. Provorov understandably played a bit tentative and jittery at first. However, he settled in quite nicely.
As he settles in, he should become more aggressive on offense like he was with the Brandon Wheat Kings. When it’s all said and done, Provorov might be the best defensemen from the 2015 draft.
Calder Trophy chances: 10 percent. Provorov is quite impressive at even strength. However, they are well-known for having a dominant power play. Gostisbehere is their primary power play quarterback. This hurts Provorov because quarterbacking the Flyers power play is an efficient way to rack up points.
Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
1. Patrik Laine – Winnipeg Jets
If Matthews is the crown jewel of the 2016 NHL Draft class, Winnipeg Jets forward Patrik Laine is one heck of a consolation prize. The Jets lucked into drafting Laine second overall despite low chances of getting in the top three. While they didn’t get Matthews, they should be perfectly content with Laine.
Laine draws a lot of comparisons to Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin. It’s a very lofty comparison, but the two are quite similar stylistically. Laine likely won’t be the generational goal scorer Ovechkin is, but the two forwards both have nasty one-timers. They both play a very physical game. Most importantly, both love to score goals. Hockey needs more flashy, exciting players and Laine certainly qualifies as one.
In his NHL debut, Laine scored a goal and picked up an assist. It’s worth noting playing against grown men isn’t a foreign concept to Laine. He did it in Finland. While it’s no comparison to the NHL, thriving against grown men as a teenager is a huge confidence booster. He radiates confidence on the ice. Last season, Laine scored 17 goals in 46 games during the regular season in Finland while scoring 10 goals in 18 playoff games.
Calder Trophy chances: 20 percent. Laine has a good chance of winning the Calder Trophy. Don’t be surprised if he leads all rookies in goals. Matthews is still the favorite, but Laine isn’t too far behind him.
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