Here are the 3 Young NHL Prospects in 2018 to Keep an Eye on

The next NHL season will kick off in October, making now the perfect time break down a few of the young NHL prospects in 2018 to keep an eye on.

Believe it or not, the 2017/18 NHL season is now just a few months away from beginning. There are many ways to predict which teams will win the Stanley Cup, perhaps the best of which is examining some of the best young players in the league.

That’s exactly what we at GamingZion will do in this article. There are many worthy players to choose from, but here we’ll list three of the top young NHL prospects in 2018 that you need to keep an eye on.

Connor McDavid: Edmonton Oilers

At just 20 years of age, Connor McDavid has earned the reputation as one of the most promising players in all of the NHL. The left-handed centre began his pro career in 2015, and has already earned numerous awards including the Art Ross Trophy, Ted Lindsay Award, and Hart Memorial Trophy.

2017 Stanley Cup betting odds

• Pittsburgh Penguins: 9.00
• Edmonton Oilers: 11.00
• Tampa Bay Lightning: 11.00
• Washington Capitals: 11.00
• Chicago Blackhawks: 13.00

McDavid was a key reason for the Oilers success last year. They ended their season with a 47-26 record, and made their way into the second round of the playoffs before losing a razor thin game to Anaheim. Connor was the highest scoring player in the league last season, and is now the highest paid player in the NHL after signing a $12.5 million per year contract with Edmonton.

There’s no denying that McDavid is one of the best young NHL prospects in 2018. He plays like a veteran and is most likely a key reason why the Oilers are one of the top Stanley Cup betting favorites this year according to almost all online sportsbooks in the US with odds of 11.00.

Auston Matthews: Toronto Maple Leafs

After an extremely successful junior career playing for the ZSC Lions, Auston Matthews was drafted in the first round to the Toronto Maple Leafs and proved himself to be one of the best young NHL players in the world with 4 goals in his debut game.

It seems the youthful energy and elite playing skills rubbed off on Toronto, who transformed from a mid-tier team into a Stanley Cup contender. Matthews was instrumental in getting his team into the playoffs, who were seen as a dark horse by some NHL betting sites like Intertops.

Auston Matthews earned the Calder Memorial Trophy at the end of last season for his accomplishments, making him one of the top young NHL prospects in 2018 to watch. He’s extremely young at 19, and could help Toronto make US gambling news with the win. At the moment, the Maple Leafs odds’ to win the Stanley Cup are set at 17.00.

Jack Eichel: Buffalo Sabres

It should come as no surprise that someone described as the “new face of American hockey” would be considered one of the top young NHL prospects in 2018. Jack Eichel was chosen second in the 2015 NHL draft, and managed to score 56 goals in his first season as a professional.

A severe ankle injury kept Eichel on the sidelines for a portion of the 2016/17 season, but he still managed to earn 26 goals and 33 assists in only 61 games. Eichel is a clear example of the new generation making their way into the NHL, but will he be enough to turn the Sabres into a playoff team?

Buffalo finished dead last in the Atlantic Division last year despite Eichel’s solid performances. The team is lacking some depth, which is likely the reason why Intertops lists the Sabres’ odds to win the Stanley Cup in 2018 at just 67.00.

All three of the young NHL prospects in 2018 will tasked with helping their teams thrive. It remains to be seen how the upcoming season will unfold, but you can let us know how you think it goes in the comment section below!