There are a few top NHL rookies to watch this upcoming season. Many of these rookies come from the 2015, 2016, and 2017 NHL Draft classes. Many hockey fans will want to keep an eye on these rookies this season. A couple of these names we can see in the Calder contention come later in the year, for now here are the top rookies to watch, part two.
Josh Ho-Sang, NYI
Ho-Sang fell to the Islanders at 28th overall in the 2014 draft. Ho-Sang has dealt with some off the ice and on-ice issues that decreased his draft value. Many teams overlooked Ho-Sang and did not gamble on the goal scoring forward. The forward was introduced last season after the All-Star break and immediately made an impact on the Islanders offense. Ho-Sang scored 4 goals and 10 points in 21 games last season. Before that, he played in the AHL where he had 10 goals, 36 points in 50 games.
Ho-Sang has faced his fair share of criticism since coming to the NHL and even before that, but that will not stop the 21-year-old forward this season. The 21-year old will more than likely be paired with Brock Nelson and Andrew Ladd. The support system with Ho-Sang is good. Ladd can score goals and Nelson can do both, and both forwards will help Ho-Sang grow and reach new potentials. Ho-Sang is an extremely quick, talented forward with flashy hands and great skating ability, given the chance and time to develop, he’ll be a top forward in the league. Next season I could see Ho-Sang winning the Calder as long as the Islander offense is consistent and produces among other top teams.
Brock Boeser, VAN
Boeser was selected 25th overall in the 2015 NHL draft by the Vancouver Canucks. He jumped right into NHL action after a successful season at North Dakota, where he had 16 goals, 34 points in 32 games. Boeser has the size and talent for the NHL already. Boeser played nine games for the Canucks last season, and had four goals and an assist.
He will likely be paired with Bo Horvat, the Canucks top forward, which will work wonders to the 20-years-old development. Horvat is coming off a career year and a big contract extension. It’s no doubt Boeser will be producing at a high-level next season, but the Canucks being another team sort of going through a “rebuild” process may throw Boeser into the limelight of rookies. Boeser is another forward that will be a top NHL forward in a few years. Keep an eye on him in Vancouver next season as he can easily win the Calder.
Tyson Jost, COL
Jost was selected 10th overall in the 2016 NHL draft by the Colorado Avalanche. Jost is going into a dismantled team right now coming off one of the worst seasons in NHL history. After a very poor year, the Avalanche are looking to make changes immediately. Both Matt Duchene and Gabriel Landeskog will more than likely be out of Colorado mid season. Jost should be able to soar and shine in Colorado. However, his production may not be the greatest. He is a highly talented forward, with great vision and hockey senses. Jost is also willing to play a more gritty role and battle in the corners, which is great.
Jost plays a fast level and brings a ton of energy to the lineup. He has the potential to be a top six forward in the NHL. He will more than likely be paired with Gabriel Landeskog and Colin Wilson. The support system is there and he will have the tools in place to see 50 points next season. Jost played six games with the Avalanche where he had one goal. Before that, he played with North Dokata and he scored 16 goals and recorded 35 points in 33 games. Jost has the potential to win the Calder next season.
Mikhail Sergachev, TBL
The Lightning swapped Jonathan Drouin for Mikhail Sergachev in hopes for Sergachev to crack the roster and climb the ranks in the Lightning’s defensive core. The Lightning hope for Sergachev to be paired with Victor Hedman some day as the two are both strong two-way defenders. Sergachev was selected ninth overall in the 2016 Draft by the Canadiens. He definitely has the size and talent to be NHL ready and play a four/five defenseman role. However, he will need some time to develop at the NHL level.
Right now, it seems as if he will not crack the Lightning’s line up and but will definitely be there later in the year. If that is the case, he will be ineligible for the Calder. Sergachev played in the OHL last season with the Windsor Spitfires, where he had 17 goals, 40 assists and 57 points in 67 games. Sergachev possess great two-way ability and has excellent skating skill. When his time comes he will be able to prove his decision making skills, play making abilities, and his difference making abilities to the Lightning and the whole NHL.
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