Getting your player ready...
As the NHL season opens this week, Denver Post hockey writer Mike Chambers takes a look at the top rookies this season.
Jeffrey T. Barnes, Getty Image
Auston Matthews poses for a portrait after being selected first overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in round one during the 2016 NHL Draft on June 24, 2016 in Buffalo, New York.- Auston Matthews, Maple Leafs: The Arizona native was the unanimous 2016 No. 1 draft selection, just like Connor McDavid was a year earlier, and Matthews played brilliantly alongside McDavid at the recent World Cup for Team North America. Matthews is regarded as the greatest young U.S. forward prospect since Patrick Kane in 2007.
Getty Images fileMikko Rantanen of the Colorado Avalanche warms up prior to facing the Carolina Hurricanes at Pepsi Center on Oct. 21, 2015 in Denver. - Mikko Rantanen, Avalanche: The 10th selection in 2015 is a seasoned professional, having gone from the Finnish pro leagues to the AHL’s San Antonio Rampage, where he led the team in scoring and was co-winner of the league’s rookie-of-the-year award last season.
Claus Andersen, Getty ImagesWilliam Nylander #39 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the Tampa Bay Lightning during an NHL game at the Air Canada Centre on February 29, 2016 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Lightning defeated the Maple Leafs 2-1. - William Nylander, Maple Leafs: Drafted eighth overall in 2014, Nylander, 20, has two strong AHL seasons under his belt and amassed six goals and 13 points in a 22-game stint with the Leafs last season.
Mike Ehrmann, Getty ImagesThird overall pick Dylan Strome of the Arizona Coyotes poses for a portrait during the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center on June 26, 2015 in Sunrise, Florida. - Dylan Strome, Coyotes: Drafted third overall in 2015, Strome returned to major-junior and put up 111 points in 58 games for the Erie Otters. He’s bigger and stronger and should fit it nicely with Arizona’s excellent young talent.
Jen Fuller, Getty ImagesPatrik Laine gives an interview after being selected second by the Winnepeg Jets during round one of the 2016 NHL Draft on June 24, 2016 in Buffalo, New York. - Patrik Laine, Jets: He made Finland’s World Cup team over Rantanen but his lack of experience on the North American ice sheet could slow his production early on.
