from Michael Traikos at the Toronto Sun,

A dazzling U.S. centre who torched the National Development Program gets chosen No. 1 overall, followed by a hulking Finnish winger at No. 2 who is already dominating amongst men at the pro level.

It looks familiar, doesn’t it? After all, it was only three years ago when Toronto’s Auston Matthews and Winnipeg’s Patrik Laine went 1-2 in the NHL Entry Draft 2016.

On Friday night in Vancouver, a similar scene unfolded on the draft floor of Rogers Arena when the New Jersey Devils chose American centre Jack Hughes with the No. 1 pick and the New York Rangers followed it up by selecting Finland’s Kaapo Kakko at No. 2.

Not to heap too much pressure on the young kids, but their two respective franchises can only hope that they have a similar effect as Matthews and Laine have had on the Maple Leafs and Jets.

It’s obviously a high bar to meet.

continued