Leafs, Jets hit draft homers

Matthews, Laine show they were worthy top picks

Gin Toronto ood luck scouting?

If Auston Matthews and Patrik Laine finish winner and runner-up during the NHL’s glitzy awards ceremonies in Las Vegas on Wednesday as expected, it will mark the first time in the salary cap era the top two players taken in the previous NHL draft will have finished in that same order in voting for the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie.

Is it an endorsement of the selections the Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets made at the top of the first round 12 months ago in Buffalo? Of course.

At the same time, the rarity in the two top picks dominating the Calder race just a year after being taken in the draft is contingent on a number of factors: Staying healthy; a swift learning curve at the NHL level; a coach who isn’t afraid to give a kid a prominent role, and the ability to produce those “wow” moments that remain etched in the minds of the voters.

Keeping that in mind, with the 2017 draft kicking off Friday at Chicago’s United Center, here is a look at how the 2016 first-round picks worked out for all seven Canadian teams. or good

F Auston Matthews (1st overall)

Setting an all-time NHL rookie record with four goals in your first game puts you on the sporting radar with a big splash. He went on to set Leaf rookie records for goals (40), points (69) and became the highest scoring U.S. born freshman in NHL history. Already a star. F Patrik Laine (2nd overall)

The Swagger. The Shot. The ability to bring fans out of their seats. Add it all up, and you have the face of this franchise for a long time. Ended up with 36 goals and 28 assists for 64 points. A highlight reel waiting to happen.

F Jesse Puljujarvi (fourth overall)

While Puljujarvi was frustrated with himself at not scoring more, GM Peter Chiarelli told the teen just to concentrate on the play in his own zone. Eight points in 28 NHL games; 28 points in 39 AHL games. Could get a bigger role if Jordan Eberle is traded. D Olli Juolevi (5th overall)

With Matthew Tkachuk flourishing in Calgary after having been picked one spot later, there was some second-guessing in Vancouver regarding whether the Canucks made the right pick. But defencemen develop slower than forwards and Juolevi, who had 42 points in 58 games with the OHL’s London Knights, showed leadership while captaining Finland at the world juniors.