If 20 even-strength goals in his age 18 rookie season weren’t enough to convince you that Andrei Svechnikov was on the path to NHL stardom, his sophomore season should have erased all doubt that this player is well on his way to being one of the best players in the league.
Among all U21 players in the NHL last season, Svechnikov led all players in goals (24) and points (61). Among U21 forwards, he led in each primary offensive statistic. His game grew by leaps and bounds over his rookie year, and there were many reasons for that.