In the world of big skates and ice-shattering checks, there's little room for the weak-hearted. The 2016 NHL Entry Draft — held on June 24-25 in Buffalo, New York — was a testament to this reality. We witnessed a powerful narrative unfold, as top prospects were chosen to revitalize franchises and dominate the rink. It was the stage for future legends who dared to defy expectations. That year, the hockey world was set ablaze by the picks of players determined to refuse mediocrity, and it couldn’t be clearer how the so-called experts had wildly miscalculated their snobby forecasts.
Auston Matthews, born in sunny Scottsdale, Arizona, topped the draft like a snowfall in the desert. Picked first overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs, Matthews was a force of nature, a goal-scoring machine that was meant to breathe new life into a team that had long wandered in the hockey wilderness. Behind him came Patrik Laine, the Finnish phenomenon snagged by the Winnipeg Jets to electrify their offense. This number two pick had Canadiens fans grinding their teeth with envy — who shall remain unnamed as lovers of poutine and plaid.
Following this Finnish tornado was Pierre-Luc Dubois, taken third by the Columbus Blue Jackets. A player with a certain gritty finesse that made Canadians proud, Dubois was heralded for his ability to both score and set up plays, making French speakers around the hockey world cheer "Goûtez à ça!" No surprise, the Blue Jackets were keen to snatch up this diamond in the ice.
Walking down the draft line was Jesse Puljujärvi, the linchpin should-have-been for the Edmonton Oilers, picked fourth. This Finnish forward was another promise for the Oilers as they tried to climb out of a cyclone of EPIC first picks that hadn’t fully lived up to the hype. Will Puljujärvi be yet another test of patience for the oil-rich faithful folks up north?
Then came the fifth pick: Olli Juolevi, chosen by the Vancouver Canucks. A defenseman with what they called "a vision on ice" and supposedly capable of orchestrating the game from the defensive zone, proving that some scouts watch from behind politically-tinted glasses, Juolevi soon became a testament to overhyped market analysis.
Perhaps some of the most interesting tale-telling outcomes from this draft came from other not-so-talked-about players once away from the media’s quick judgments. When people talk about surprises, the name Alex DeBrincat, drafted 39th by the Chicago Blackhawks, is often whispered. Known for his scoring ability despite his lesser frame by hockey standards, he’s taken the ice by storm in a league that favors size, flipping the bird to many experts who doubted his tenacity.
Another fan favorite: Charlie McAvoy, 14th overall by the Boston Bruins. His grit, skill, and ability to elevate his team in game-winning moments have made more hockey moms rejoice at their American boys playing at such high standards. McAvoy had little regard for those underestimating him and silenced critics with his exemplary defensive play and leadership reminiscent of the greats.
Need we mention Matthew Tkachuk, stolen at 6th overall by the Calgary Flames, proving that hockey blood runs thicker than the liberal tears shed over his physical style of play? His father, Hall of Famer Keith Tkachuk, undoubtedly brought up a son destined to continue the family legacy, to the dismay of those hoping to soften the sport with pickup games and participation trophies.
2016 was a draft filled with future NHL greats and busts so shocking that it would make any drafting board exec shuffle uncomfortably in their seat. But post-draft evaluations never predicted the days when these players would tell analysts, "We’re not nuisances; we’re necessities!" For some, it was about blazing a trail; for others, it was about shutting loud-mouth naysayers with performance shaped by discipline, not just talent.
Every player, bust or busting their opponents, is a testament to hockey’s unpredictable nature. The 2016 NHL Entry Draft shows how, in the fiercely competitive and traditional sport, those who resist change are eventually benched. Flair recklessly packaged as grit, and hockey prowess is what freshly minted stars need to thrive against the narratives spun by the so-called experts. Whether you love them or love to hate them, the stars of 2016 continue to shape a sport capable of making its spectators rise from their frostbitten seats.