With Toronto’s big three, Zach Werenski, and Matt Murray all making names for themselves, last year’s rookie class was one of the best classes in a long time. Next season should be no different. No one really knows how any of these players will do in their first season, which is why these rookies will be drafted in the last rounds in deep drafts, if at all. However, if you play your cards right, you could end up with a really promising young player, which is great for keeper leagues. They’re probably all taken in dynasty leagues. However, there is also a good chance a lot of these rookies won’t be drafted at all. The emphasis for this list is how much hype these players have, how good they’ve been previously, and how likely they will stay up in the NHL for a full season.
10. Josh Ho-Sang, RW, New York Islanders
Ho-Sang has had an interesting career so far, and he has only played 21 NHL games. He first made notice when his stock dropped due to supposed selfishness during his draft where he fell to 28th overall in the 2014 draft. He also made news the next year by missing training camp because his alarm messed up. His first NHL debut last season also caused a commotion. He wore number 66, Mario Lemieux’s number, even though Lemieux was never an Islander and it was in honor of the great. Despite all the controversy, Ho-Sang had 10 points in those 21 games and should be a big part in the Islanders future. He likely won’t get drafted in many fantasy leagues but he would be worth taking a flier on in the last round or picking up early in the season.
I was thinking of putting Tyson Jost of Colorado, Joel Eriksson-Ek of Minnesota, Matthew Barzal of the Islanders or Kyle Connor of Winnipeg at this spot. Although those players have more hype, Ho-Sang has already impressed at the pro-level and is more of a lock for a roster spot. Either way, keep an eye on those players too.
9. Dylan Strome, C, Arizona Coyotes
The 2015 draft was considered one of the best drafts in years, mainly due to Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner and Dylan Strome. Strome went thrd overall pick in the draft to the Arizona Coyotes. It is now Strome’s turn to make his NHL mark. The 20-year old had 354 points in 4 seasons or 219 games for the OHL’s Erie Otters. He may be hyped, but he does have some questions. There are theories that he may have been helped by Connor McDavid and Alex Debrincat in Erie. There’s no proof for that until he’s on another team. As well as he didn’t have a strong showing early last season (1 assist in 7 NHL games). But the Arizona coach Dave Tippett is gone and the team seems to be embracing youth now. He should be given a lot of ice-time in the Desert. He’ll also have Clayton Keller on his wing. He’d be worth the flier in the late rounds.
8. Jakub Vrana, LW/RW, Washington Capitals
The Capitals lost Justin Williams, Marcus Johansen and likely Daniel Winnik in the offseason. Although, Washington did re-sign T.J Oshie, Evgeni Kuznetsov and Andre Burakovsky, the Capitals will miss those players. Jakub Vrana should join the fold and be an interesting piece in an already strong Capitals team. In the AHL, the 2014 13th overall pick had 36 points in 49 games. He did get six points in 21 games for Washington last season as well but he did average 11 minutes of ice time on the 4th line. With the loss of those aforementioned players, expect Vrana to step up and take on a bigger role for the Capitals this season, assuming his camp is good. Vrana will likely be drafted in the last round of deep drafts, if at all.
7. Thomas Chabot, D, Ottawa Senators
Although the Senators already have the best active offensive defenseman in Erik Karlsson, they are about to get one of the most hyped defensemen into their roster this season. In early July, the Senators GM Pierre Dorion declared Chabot is ready to play in the NHL right now. Now, whether coach Guy Boucher thinks this as well is another story. With the loss of Mark Methot and the uncertainty of Johnny Oduya, The 2015 18th overall pick has a good shot at being a second-pair defensemen. Chabot was put on the map when he got the tournament MVP for Canada in the World Juniors with 10 points in 6 games. He furthered the hype with 45 points in 34 games for the Saint John Sea Dogs. The QMJHL is known for high scoring, but his stats are still very impressive for a defenseman. It’s unclear how soon Chabot can develop in an NHL role but if he reaches his ceiling. Ottawa could very well have another Erik Karlsson on their hands. Chabot will shine next season, and he’d be a good pickup in the late rounds or on the waiver wire.
6. Charlie McAvoy, D, Boston Bruins
McAvoy and Chabot are similar in a lot of ways. They both made their mark in the World Juniors. McAvoy had six points in seven games for USA in the tournament. The 2016 14th overall pick also had a stellar college season with 26 points in 38 games for Boston University. But McAvoy has the advantage on Chabot of already playing in the NHL at the highest level, the playoffs. Due to a lot of the Bruins defensemen getting hurt around that time, Boston had no choice but to bring up McAvoy. He looked like a pro out there with 3 assists in 6 games. He also had the 2nd most minutes of ice time for the Bruins. If McAvoy can survive playoff hockey, he can surely survive the regular season. Like Chabot, McAvoy will really shine next season but if you’re in need of defensemen in the late rounds, McAvoy is your guy.
5. Jesse Puljujarvi, RW, Edmonton Oilers
In the 2015 World Juniors, Puljujarvi had 17 points for Finland. However, it all fell apart for Puljujarvi when he started the season with eight points in 27 games with Edmonton, whereas Laine, his fellow countryman, flourished in his rookie season. Puljujarvi was then sent down to the AHL where he had an impressive season of 28 points in 29 games. It’s still not clear if the Finn can adjust to the NHL rink. But with the absence of Jordan Eberle, the Oilers are in need of another top six right winger. Puljujarvi will be fighting for that spot. If Puljujarvi impresses in camp, he’ll be given all the ice-time that he was lacking in his first NHL stint and has a better chance of succeeding. If he reaches his potential, Puljujarvi could complement McDavid very nicely on his wing. He’d be worth taking the flier on him in the late rounds.
4. Brock Boeser, RW, Vancouver Canucks
Despite the Sedins, the Canucks will be in rebuild mode starting this season. Along with Bo Horvat, Boeser will be another player that Canuck fans can get excited about. Boeser had 34 points in 32 games for the University of North Dakota. He was instantly called to play in Vancouver’s final 9 games. The 2015 23rd overall pick had 4 goals and 1 assists in that stint. He played with Bo Horvat and Sven Barestchi on the top line and seemed to have great chemistry. Now that Travis Green is the new coach, it’s unclear if he’ll put these guys on the same line and if Boeser can sustain his pace. But considering it didn’t take Boeser long to adjust and the Canucks are still in rebuild mode, Boeser will get plenty of ice-time to figure the NHL out. Boeser should be a good pickup in the late rounds.
3. Clayton Keller, C/LW, Arizona Coyotes
The second Boston University player and also second Arizona Coyotes prospect on this list. The 2016 seventh overall pick had 45 points in 35 games at Boston University. After BU was eliminated, he was then called to play in Arizona. He was scratched for a couple of games, but he got two assists in the three games he did play. Like Strome, Keller should excel with the new coach, Rick Tocchet. However, the 5’11” Keller is likely to change positions. He’ll likely move to left wing because Arizona has a lot of centers. Keller will likely be on the same line as Strome, which will be more of a plus than it is a negative. Dual positions eligibility will also be a plus for fantasy owners. Keller will be drafted towards the last two rounds of every draft, at the latest.
2. Nolan Patrick, C, Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers were seven points from the Maple Leafs, the second wild card team, last season. But they still managed to get the 2nd overall pick this season by lottery. Now, Philadelphia gets Nolan Patrick, who was considered the unanimous 1st overall pick a year ago. Patrick has excelled in every league that he has been in so far including his four seasons with the Brandon Wheat Kings, where he had 205 points in 163 games. Most recently, 46 points in 33 games last year, which is 1.4 points per game. The biggest knock on Patrick is that he has become very injury-prone. He missed the majority of the season including the World Juniors due to an upper-body injury. He also underwent abdominal surgery just before the draft, supposedly why he dropped to second. He also recently had a face infection. However, if Nolan Patrick can be healthy, the Flyers may have gotten another deadly weapon in their arsenal. He could haunt the Devils, who is in their division, who passed on him for years to come. Patrick should be a mid-level to late draft pick.
1. Nico Hischier, C, New Jersey Devils
Like McAvoy and Chabot, Hischier really started getting noticed during the 2016 World Juniors. Where he had seven points in five games for Switzerland. He also had a stellar rookie season in the QMJHL’s Halifax Mooseheads with 86 points in 57 games, which is 1.5 points per game. He also had an outstanding playoffs with seven points in six games. He was virtually unknown because he was Swiss. But once people saw he could play on the international and CHL level, they were hyped on him. Hischier has a pretty good chance to be the top line center with Taylor Hall on his wing, especially since he is also defensively sound as well. The scary thing is he still needs to improve his strength. If he can get stronger, Hischier will be a force to be reckoned with. First overall picks are usually taken in the middle rounds unless you’re in a keeper or dynasty league, where they’ll be taken earlier. Hischier will be no different.
Honorable Mentions
Hard to Tell
Could be up for the full season in a prominent role if they have a strong training camp.
Matthew Barzal (NYI), Tyson Jost (COL), Kyle Connor (WPG), Joel Eriksson-Ek (MIN), Julius Honka (DAL), Jordan Weal (PHI), Ivan Barbeshev (STL), Alex Debrincat (CHI), Nikolay Goldobin (VAN), Travis Sanheim (PHI), Anders Bjork (BOS)
Depth
These players may not get a ton of minutes if called up. But you should have these names in the back of your mind considering you’ll likely get them in the waiver wire.
Zach Aston-Reese (PIT), Anthony Stolarz (PHI), Kasperi Kapanen (TOR), Adrian Kempe (LA), Timo Meier (SJ), Alex Nylander (BUF)