As expected, the trend of a high number of rookies making an immediate impact with their NHL teams is continuing in 2017-18. The smoothness of transition for these youngsters speaks a lot to the improving talent pool across the world, which is great for the long-term health and entertainment value of the game.
After the spectacular debuts over the last two years of players like Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, Patrik Laine, Jack Eichel, Artemi Panarin, Zach Werenski and more, it appeared that this year's rookies would shine a little less brightly, or perhaps not generate the hype of their most recent predecessors.