It's a rare year when a rookie can deliver elite offensive numbers in a single-season league.

There is no Artemi Panarin (77 points) or Mathew Barzal (85 points) in 2018-19. And there certainly isn't an Auston Matthews, at least not at forward.

But there is a generational talent on the blue line. His name is Rasmus Dahlin, and he immediately gives the Sabres credibility. He should be a top-20 producer at his position by season's end at the age of 18.

No rookie forward will stake a top-20 or even top-50 offensive finish this season. Andrei Svechnikov's predicted mid-50s production would make him just a top-75 forward.

Elias Pettersson and Casey Mittlestadt should come close to those offensive heights. But again, that only puts them in the top-100 skaters overall.

Your league's depth will dictate if these guys are worthy for re-draft formats.

Keeper leagues? Dahlin remains the only franchise-changing player, but there are plenty of elite talents. Andrei Svechnikov, Filip Zadina, Elias Pettersson, Eeli Tolvanen and Miro Heiskanen are all high-end players.

It really is a great crop of kids this year.

1. Rasmus Dahlin, D, Buffalo – Dahlin is a true franchise-changing defender. His skills are already elite and he has the polished, 200-foot game of a player 10 years his elder. Dahlin will step straight into a top-four role, dishing pucks to offensive studs Jack Eichel, Casey Mittlestadt and Jeff Skinner, and should flirt with 45 points as