The league has never been as young and as talented as it is now. Here are eight players who will change the direction of their teams this season and beyond.1. Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton Oilers: This is a no-brainer. Not only is the 19-year-old forward a generational player, he has the ability to rival the career of No. 99. Yes, I said it. Not that McDavid wants to be compared to Wayne Gretzky, but the second-year NHLer has proven why he has the potential to become the best player in the world. That description is held by the Pittsburgh Penguins Sidney Crosby, but if McDavid can remain healthy and productive, this dynamic player in every aspect of the game will revive the Oilers and return the Stanley Cup to Edmonton at some point in his career. Its also impressive hes already wearing the C.2. Auston Matthews, C, Toronto Maple Leafs: If Matthews, 19, was eligible to be drafted in the same 2015 class as McDavid and Jack Eichel, many scouts believe Matthews would have edged Eichel for the No. 2 spot. Either way, Matthews, last Junes No. 1 overall pick, has been outstanding since he turned pro. He was off the charts during the World Cup of Hockey for Team North America, and his four-goal NHL debut was nothing short of amazing. The rebuilding process for the Maple Leafs continues and Matthews will be one of the reasons winning hockey will become the norm once again in Toronto.3. Aaron Ekblad, D, Florida Panthers: The No. 1 overall selection in 2014 is one of the best defensemen in the game. His talent was noticeable during his rookie season, when he impressed with his composure both on and off the ice. Ekblad, 20, was named alternate captain of the Panthers this season and its deserved. The 2015 Calder Trophy winner as rookie of the year will no doubt also capture the Norris Trophy one day.4. Johnny Gaudreau, LW, Calgary Flames: There are 40 million reasons the 23-year-old forward will have an impact for the Flames. His recent six-year deal worth $6.75 million per season has fans excited that Johnny Hockey will remain in Calgary to excite for the foreseeable future. But its more than just the money for Gaudreau. Generously listed at 5-foot-9, the talented forward plays a lot bigger than his frame. Unlike the three players ahead of him on this list, Gaudreau was a fourth-round pick (No. 104 overall in 2011) and has elevated his game to become one of the best young players in the league.5.?Jack Eichel, C, Buffalo Sabres: Currently sidelined 8-10 weeks with a high-ankle sprain, Eichel is one of the reasons fans are excited about the possibility of a winning team in Buffalo again. Drafted No. 2 behind McDavid in 2015, Eichel enjoyed a successful rookie season, posting 24 goals and 32 assists for 56 points in 81 games. He wasnt at his best for Team North America at the World Cup, but once hes healthy and cleared to return, its expected Eichels game will take the next step. High-ankle sprains are tough injuries to deal with for hockey players, so it will be a challenge for him to deal with for the next two months.6. Shayne Gostisbehere, D, Philadelphia Flyers: Of all the young players to play last season, Gostisbehere was the most dynamic to watch. The 23-year-old defenseman registered 17 goals and 29 assists for 46 points in 64 games. His 17 goals set a franchise record for rookie defensemen and his 15-game scoring streak was the longest such streak by a rookie defenseman in NHL history. During the offseason, he had hip and abdominal surgery but showed no ill effects while playing for Team North America in the World Cup. The Flyers arent too far off from becoming a perennial Stanley Cup playoff contender again, and Gostisbehere will be a big reason for Philadelphias success.7. Nathan MacKinnon, C, Colorado Avalanche: MacKinnon is the most interesting player on this list. The 21-year-old forward and No. 1 overall pick in 2013 needs to elevate his game to a level this season where he can carry the Avalanche. He has the ability to accomplish it. That will be his challenge this season, and he must, in order to be considered an elite player. It was a good sign for the Colorado organization that MacKinnon spent the offseason working out with Crosby in Nova Scotia. By all accounts, it was a successful summer for both of them, especially MacKinnon. Well revisit his status in April.8. Jimmy Vesey, LW, New York Rangers: The 23-year-old forward gained the most interest as a college free agent during the summer. The reigning Hobey Baker Award winner from Harvard entertained offers from seven NHL teams before signing with the Rangers in August. He will be given every opportunity to succeed in New York in every aspect of the game. Veseys addition to the lineup should pay dividends now and in the future for the Rangers. Hes considered a tireless workhorse off the ice, which bodes well for his current and future success. Rudy Gobert Jersey .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. Adrian Dantley Jersey .com) - Following a late-game loss to the reigning NBA champs, the Toronto Raptors will look to sustain their recent high-level play as they travel to Indiana to take on the Pacers. http://www.officialjazzauthenticstore.com/customized/ . Newcastle dominated in the early stages but City weathered the storm and then raised its game in extra time. Negredo broke the deadlock from close range after a simple move in the 99th minute before Dzeko took the ball round goalkeeper Tim Krul to seal the victory in the 105th. Donovan Mitchell Jersey . Miller reached right to deflect Mikhail Grabovskis attempt with just over 2 minutes remaining in regulation, and then made two more saves in the shootout Sunday to give the Sabres a 2-1 win over the Washington Capitals. Jonas Jerebko Jersey . It was the second consecutive win for the Pacers (2-5), who lost their first five preseason games. Jeff Teague led the Hawks (1-5) with 17 points and eight assists and Al Horford had 12 points and seven rebounds. Mike Scott scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half. SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Notre Dame won a national championship the last time coach Muffet McGraw thought she had the nations best player and best point guard.McGraw likes the chances of doing it again 16 years later. Not only does she have Brianna Turner, the returning Atlantic Coast Conference player and defensive player of the year, and Lindsay Allen, who has guided the Irish to a 106-6 record the past three seasons, she also has the deepest team shes had in her 30 years in South Bend. For the first time, the top-ranked Irish will start five former McDonalds All-American high school players, and have three more contributing off the bench.We have the depth at pretty much every position, McGraw said.Before Allen arrived, Notre Dame had a total of eight McDonalds players on its roster since the first All-America high school team was named in 2002. The Irish have that many on its roster this year alone.McGraw thinks she could use a 10-player rotation, a stark contrast from the six-player rotation she used when Ruth Riley and Niele Ivey, now a Notre Dames assistant, led the Irish to the national championship in April 2001. McGraw said the Irish have so much talent it could be a challenge for her.You have a lot of different people on the floor all the time, McGraw said. I think there are some combinations that will look better together. Thats going to be my challenge to figure out who plays well together, McGraw said.The third returning starter is forward Kathryn Westbeld. Other key returners are guards Arike Ogunbowale, Marina Mabrey and Mychal Johnson. The Irish also add 6-2 freshman forward Erin Boley, the Gatorade National Player of the Year, 6-0 guard Jackie Young, the Naismith National Player of the Year, and 5-10 sophomore guard Ali Patberg, who missed last season with a knee injury.Allen said she doesnt think egos will be a problem.Our offense makes it easier because our offense is a read so were not focusing on going to one player, she said.The Irish are ranked No. 1 for the first time since their national champiionship season, which leaves McGraw a bit uncomfortable.ddddddddddddI would rather be the underdog, she said. Our key is weve got to have fun. Weve got to enjoy this journey. I think thats the toughest thing to do when you see yourself as No. 1. Everything you do, youre holding up to the No. 1.Other things to watch with Notre Dame:THE GLUEWith so many scorers, McGraw wants to know which player is going to do the little things for the Irish.Whos going to be out there and doesnt need to score, just wants to facilitate? McGraw said. Whos going to come into the game and say, `My job is to rebound and get the ball to Bri.? Its great that we have all these scorers but theres only one ball and we really want to make sure the right people are getting the shots.SURPRISE CONTRIBUTORMcGraw is expecting a bigger contribution from 6-4 senior forward Kristina Nelson, who averaged 8.4 minutes last season. Shes made tremendous strides with her mindset, McGraw said.ON THE ROADThe Irish play 10 road games in a 12-game stretch starting at No. 21 DePaul on Dec. 10, three days after facing four-time defending champion Connecticut in South Bend.DUNK TIMENotre Dame fans have been waiting to see Turner dunk since shes arrived on campus. Shes been hampered by an injury to her right shoulder sustained her freshman season and aggravated last season, causing her to miss six games. But shes healthy after undergoing surgery. She said shes not going to try to force a dunk: Im just going to go with the flow and see what happens.McGraw said she hasnt seen one in practice.She only does it when Im not there, McGraw said. I think it would be an awesome way to start the season.NO. 1Notre Dame has spent a lot of time at No. 2, but has been ranked No. 1 for only six weeks in the AP poll, all of it until now coming during the national championship season of 2000-01.---More AP college basketball http://collegebasketball.ap.org Wholesale Hoodies NFL Shirts Outlet Jerseys NFL Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '