Solid NHL.com story about Arizona-raised phenom Auston Matthews, who is the Connor McDavid of the 2016 NHL draft. Matthews, 17, was born two days after 2015 draft cutoff date, otherwise he would be picked no worse than third in this June’s draft that has McDavid undoubtedly going No. 1 to the Edmonton Oilers.
In the linked story, Matthews said he has spoken to Boston University freshman Jack Eichel — the likely No. 2 pick in June — about the benefits of doing a one-year NCAA stint and playing against men, opposed to the U20 major junior.