The NHL has undergone a youth movement this season, with several rookies stealing the show and playing prominent roles for their respective teams.
Led by Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Patrik Laine of the Winnipeg Jets, this season's crop of youngsters has treated fans to a glimpse of the talent that lies in store for years to come
However, beyond 2016's top two draft picks putting together historic seasons, there have been multiple rookies exceeding expectations and make their marks in the pros. Here are a few of them:
Matthew Tkachuk
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree with this one.
Drafted sixth overall by the Calgary Flames last June, Tkachuk exudes the tenacious, "in-your-face" style his dad, Keith, employed as a 20-year-pro.
Like his father, he's got some offense in him, too. Tkachuk's 27 points are tied with Mikael Backlund and Johnny Gaudreau for the Flames' lead, and rank fourth on the rookie scoring list.
The 19-year-old leads rookies with 74 penalty minutes, and has been credited with 40 hits. He's filling the exact role Calgary was missing, transitioning seamlessly from a truly dominant season with the OHL's London Knights last year.
Mitch Marner
While Matthews has drawn most of the spotlight in Toronto, the Maple Leafs' first-round pick from 2015 is making quite a name for himself.
Marner's 32 points trail only Laine and Matthews in the rookie race, and his 22 assists lead the pack.
We've all known since his OHL days how ridiculously gifted he is offensively, but Marner has earned constant praise from head coach Mike Babcock for his willingness to work every shift - so much so that Babcock keeps his young superstars separated, because, like Matthews, Marner has already earned the responsibility of carrying his line.
Marner has etched his mark in the league already with his skill and energy. It's funny to think just four months ago, many were wondering if he's too small for the NHL.
Ivan Provorov
The Philadelphia Flyers struck gold with their first-round selection in 2015.
After an extra year dominating the junior ranks in 2015-16, Provorov made the jump to the NHL this season and has looked every bit the part of a budding No. 1 defenseman.
Provorov ranks second among all rookies in shifts per game (28.2) and third in ice-time (21:17). Not to mention, he's chipped in 18 points for a Flyers franchise that has long struggled to employ a reliable two-way threat on the blue line.
The 19-year-old's smooth, cerebral approach to the game has earned him a workhorse role for the Flyers, and don't expect that to change anytime soon.
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