10 Players That Will Definitely Be Upgraded In NHL 18

Of course, the Calder was won in a landslide by the one rookie with an even more impressive season than Patrik Laine’s. Auston Matthews was nothing short of phenomenal in his first year for the Toronto Maple Leafs, as the treasured first overall selection of the 2016 draft. Beginning his career with an historic, unprecedented four goal debut, Matthews was in the thick of the action all season, helping Toronto rise from last place in 2016 to a wild-card playoff berth the next year.

The future in Toronto, coached by the esteemed Mike Babcock and managed by the tandem of Brendan Shanahan and Lou Lamiorello, is undeniably bright. Stars Mitch Marner and William Nylander had highly impressive rookie seasons themselves, but Auston Matthews is far and away the crown jewel of their Championship ambitions.

Finishing with 69 points in 82 games played, including an incredible 41 goals, and then playing as one of the driving forces behind Toronto’s hard fought playoff series with the President’s Trophy winning Washington Capitals, Matthews has surely boosted his NHL 18 overall rating close to 90, or even higher.