The 2016 NHL Entry Draft is now almost a decade in the rearview mirror, offering a significant sample size to assess the trajectories of its top prospects. While draft position is no guarantee of NHL success, the top 10 picks from any draft class carry immense expectations. Let's take a look at where the top 10 selections from 2016 are now:
Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs): The first-overall pick has unequivocally lived up to the hype. Matthews has become one of the NHL's premier goal-scorers, winning the Rocket Richard Trophy multiple times and the Hart Trophy as league MVP in 2022. He is the Toronto Maple Leafs' cornerstone player and is considered among the league's elite talents.
Patrik Laine (Winnipeg Jets): Laine burst onto the scene with a prolific goal-scoring touch, notching over 30 goals in three of his first four seasons. However, he has struggled with consistency and injuries throughout his career. After being traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets, he has shown flashes of brilliance but has not consistently reached his full potential.
Pierre-Luc Dubois (Columbus Blue Jackets): Dubois has established himself as a solid two-way center. He had some productive seasons in Columbus before being traded to the Winnipeg Jets and later to the Los Angeles Kings. He has shown an ability to contribute offensively while also playing a responsible defensive game.
Jesse Puljujärvi (Edmonton Oilers): Puljujärvi's NHL career has been inconsistent. After failing to establish himself in his first stint with the Oilers, he returned to Finland before eventually rejoining the team. While he has shown flashes of potential, he has since been traded and has not consistently found his footing as a top-line player.
Olli Juolevi (Vancouver Canucks): Juolevi's career has been significantly hampered by injuries. After a long wait to make the NHL roster, he struggled to stay healthy and make an impact with the Canucks and later with the Florida Panthers. He is currently playing in Europe, attempting to revitalize his career.
Matthew Tkachuk (Calgary Flames): Tkachuk has become one of the league's most impactful and polarizing players. After establishing himself as a star in Calgary, he was traded to the Florida Panthers, where he led them to the Stanley Cup Final in 2023. Known for his agitating style and offensive talent, Tkachuk is a force to be reckoned with.
Clayton Keller (Arizona Coyotes): Keller has been a consistent offensive performer for the Coyotes. Despite playing on a team that has often struggled, he has consistently put up solid point totals and has developed into a reliable top-six forward.
Alexander Nylander (Buffalo Sabres): Nylander has struggled to live up to his draft pedigree. After bouncing around several NHL organizations, he has not been able to secure a consistent role.
Mikhail Sergachev (Montreal Canadiens): Sergachev has developed into a top-pairing defenseman. After a brief stint in Montreal, he was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he has become a key member of their blue line, contributing both offensively and defensively. He won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Lightning in 2020 and 2021.
Tyson Jost (Colorado Avalanche): Jost has become a dependable middle-six forward. After playing several seasons with the Avalanche, he was traded to the Minnesota Wild and later to the Buffalo Sabres. He is known for his versatility and work ethic.
