Yamamoto was taken 22nd overall in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, and since then, has done plenty to prove his NHL worth. The 18-year-old led all skaters with five goals through the preseason, and his standout performance at training camp earned him a spot on the Oilers’ opening night roster.
As he eased into his NHL responsibilities, an injury to Leon Draisaitl led Yamamoto to a spot on the top line. He impressed with three assists and a lot of chemistry and speed on that unit, and for a while, it seemed that he would become a fixture.