Where Are They Now? The 2016 NHL Entry Draft Top 10

The 2016 NHL Entry Draft took place in Buffalo, New York, and represented a pivotal moment for ten franchises looking to add cornerstone talent to their rosters. Nearly a decade later, the trajectories of these top-10 selections have varied wildly, from Hart Trophy winners and Stanley Cup champions to players who have struggled to find their footing in the league. As we examine where these players stand today, the draft class reveals itself as a fascinating study in development, opportunity, and the unpredictable nature of prospect evaluation.

The draft was headlined by a generational American talent and featured a mix of forwards and defensemen who were expected to reshape their respective franchises. Some have exceeded expectations, others have carved out solid NHL careers, and a few have fallen short of the lofty projections that accompanied their draft positions. Let’s dive into each player’s journey and current status.

The franchise cornerstone: Auston Matthews with the Toronto Maple Leafs

When the Toronto Maple Leafs selected Auston Matthews first overall in 2016, they weren’t just adding a talented prospect—they were acquiring the foundation for a new era of Maple Leafs hockey. Matthews announced his arrival with an unforgettable four-goal performance in his NHL debut, a feat that immediately validated Toronto’s faith in the Arizona-born center.

Since that remarkable first game, Matthews has evolved into one of the NHL’s premier goal-scorers. His 2023-24 campaign was historic, as he shattered records by scoring 69 goals, breaking the mark for most goals in a salary cap era season. The performance cemented his status as an elite talent and showcased his lethal combination of release, positioning, and hockey IQ.

Matthews claimed the Hart Trophy in 2022 as the league’s most valuable player after a 60-goal season, joining an exclusive club of Maple Leafs to receive the honor. Over his career, he has consistently produced at least 30 goals and 60 points per season, becoming the offensive engine that drives Toronto’s attack. His ability to elevate his game in crucial moments has made him indispensable to the franchise.

In the 2024-25 season, Matthews was named captain of the Maple Leafs, taking over leadership duties and adding another dimension to his role with the team. He became the fifth player in franchise history to score 300 goals with Toronto, joining legends like Mats Sundin and Darryl Sittler. His impact extends beyond the scoresheet, as his work ethic and dedication have set the tone for a roster hungry for playoff success.

For organizations evaluating how the 2016 NHL Entry Draft top 10 players turned out, Matthews represents the gold standard. He has delivered on every promise and then some, transforming from a highly-touted prospect into a genuine superstar who carries his team’s Stanley Cup aspirations on his shoulders. The only missing piece remains a deep playoff run, but his individual accomplishments are beyond reproach.

The turbulent journey: Patrik Laine’s winding path

Patrik Laine entered the NHL with a reputation as a pure goal-scorer, the type of player who could change games with his otherworldly shot. Selected second overall by the Winnipeg Jets, the Finnish sniper delivered on that promise early, posting 36 goals in his rookie campaign and following up with a 44-goal sophomore season that had him finishing second in the league’s goal-scoring race.

However, Laine’s relationship with Winnipeg eventually soured, leading to a blockbuster trade that sent him and Jack Roslovic to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Pierre-Luc Dubois. The change of scenery was meant to reinvigorate his career, but injuries derailed his time in Columbus. He struggled to find consistency and posted totals well below his established standards, raising questions about whether he could recapture his early-career form.

In August 2024, the Columbus Blue Jackets traded Laine to the Montreal Canadiens, giving him another fresh start with an Original Six franchise. The 2024-25 season saw him appear in 52 games, recording 20 goals and 33 points before a core muscle injury required surgery in late October, sidelining him until at least the new year. The injury has been another setback in what has become a career marked by unfulfilled potential.

Despite the challenges, Laine remains just 26 years old with elite shooting ability that few players in the NHL can match. His release, one-timer, and ability to score from distance make him a valuable asset when healthy. The Canadiens organization is betting that stability and a defined role can help him return to the 40-goal form he showed as a teenager.

When assessing the 2016 NHL Entry Draft top 10 players where they are now, Laine represents the complexity of player development. Raw talent alone isn’t enough—organizational fit, health, and opportunity all play crucial roles. If he can stay healthy in Montreal, there’s still time for him to rewrite his narrative and become the consistent scoring threat he was projected to be.

Two-way excellence: Pierre-Luc Dubois finds stability in Washington

Pierre-Luc Dubois was selected third overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets with the expectation that his combination of size, skill, and defensive awareness would make him a prototypical modern power forward. At 6-foot-3, Dubois brought a physical edge that complemented his offensive capabilities, and he quickly established himself as a legitimate two-way threat during his rookie season.

Dubois posted solid numbers with Columbus, regularly contributing around 50 points while playing a defensively responsible game and adding over 100 hits per season. His versatility allowed him to play both center and wing, and his ability to match up against top lines made him valuable in all situations. However, off-ice tensions led to a trade request, resulting in the swap with Winnipeg that brought Laine to Columbus.

His tenure with the Jets was productive but brief. Dubois continued his two-way play, though his offensive numbers didn’t explode as some had hoped. The franchise eventually traded him to the Los Angeles Kings in a deal that reflected uncertainty about his long-term fit. After just one season in Los Angeles, the Kings flipped him to the Washington Capitals, where he has finally found stability.

The 2024-25 season proved to be a resurgence for Dubois in Washington. He posted 20 goals and 66 points over 82 games with a plus-27 rating, demonstrating the complete game that made him a top-five pick. His 46 assists showed improved playmaking, while his defensive metrics remained strong. The Capitals have deployed him in a role that maximizes his strengths, allowing him to contribute at both ends of the ice.

As we evaluate where the 2016 NHL Entry Draft top 10 players are today, Dubois stands as an example of a player who needed the right environment to thrive. While he may not have become an elite point-producer, he has developed into exactly what teams need: a versatile, physically imposing forward who can play up and down the lineup and contribute in all situations. His journey to Washington has been circuitous, but he’s now playing some of the best hockey of his career.

The cautionary tale: Jesse Puljujarvi’s unfulfilled promise

Few prospects generated as much pre-draft buzz as Jesse Puljujarvi. The Finnish forward was named MVP of the World Junior Championships after leading his team to gold, and some scouts suggested he could challenge for the first overall selection. When he fell to the Edmonton Oilers at fourth overall, the franchise believed they had found a steal.

Reality proved far more complicated. Puljujarvi split time between the NHL and AHL during his first three seasons, never establishing himself as an everyday player on an Oilers roster loaded with offensive talent. His inability to gain traction frustrated both the player and organization, leading Puljujarvi to return to Finland for the 2019-20 season to rebuild his confidence.

Upon his return to Edmonton, Puljujarvi showed flashes of the skill that made him a top-five pick, posting roughly 30-point campaigns in back-to-back seasons. However, those numbers were disappointing for someone selected so high and playing alongside Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. The Oilers eventually traded him to the Carolina Hurricanes in February 2023, hoping a change of scenery might unlock his potential.

The move to Carolina didn’t produce the desired results. Puljujarvi signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2023 offseason but spent most of the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons in the AHL. The Penguins released him in February 2025, and he signed with the Florida Panthers but again saw primarily AHL action. During the 2025 offseason, Puljujarvi made the difficult decision to return to Europe, joining Geneve Servette in Switzerland’s top league.

Looking at where the 2016 NHL Entry Draft top 10 players have landed, Puljujarvi represents one of the draft’s clearest misses. Despite all the tools and developmental support, he has been unable to stick as an NHL regular. Now approaching his late twenties and playing in the minor leagues, his window to establish himself at the highest level is rapidly closing. Buffalo’s decision to draft him eighth overall remains a painful reminder that bloodlines and junior production don’t always translate.

The injury-plagued defenseman: Olli Juolevi’s derailed path

As the first defenseman selected in 2016, Olli Juolevi carried significant expectations. The Vancouver Canucks saw a 6-foot-3 blueliner with excellent skating ability and hockey IQ, a player who could anchor their defense for years to come. Unfortunately, injuries would define Juolevi’s career trajectory in ways no one could have anticipated.

After being drafted, Juolevi’s development was immediately hampered by a back injury that limited his effectiveness in junior hockey. When he joined Vancouver’s AHL affiliate in 2018-19, another injury struck after just 18 games, costing him the remainder of the season. The following year, a hip issue kept him out of the lineup for most of the 2019-20 campaign, further delaying his NHL readiness.

Juolevi finally made his NHL debut during the 2020-21 season, appearing in 15 games and recording one goal for the Canucks. However, it was clear he hadn’t developed as hoped, and Vancouver traded him to the Florida Panthers in a deal that also included forward Juho Lammikko. The change of scenery didn’t help, as Juolevi continued to struggle with both performance and health.

Unable to secure a regular NHL role, Juolevi spent time bouncing around the AHL before ultimately deciding to return to Finland following the 2022-23 season. He now plays in the Finnish league, where he has found more consistent ice time and success. At this point, an NHL return seems highly unlikely.

When examining where the 2016 NHL Entry Draft top 10 players have ended up, Juolevi represents the unfortunate reality that injuries can derail even the most promising careers. His physical tools and skills suggested NHL potential, but chronic health issues prevented him from ever gaining the momentum needed to establish himself at hockey’s highest level. The Canucks’ miss at fifth overall remains a painful reminder of how uncertain draft projections can be.

The superstar who got away: Matthew Tkachuk’s championship pedigree

Matthew Tkachuk’s selection at sixth overall has proven to be one of the draft’s greatest values. The Calgary Flames recognized that Tkachuk possessed a rare combination of skill, physicality, and competitive fire that would make him a franchise cornerstone. Living up to the Tkachuk family name, Matthew immediately established himself as a power forward who could both produce points and make opponents miserable.

Tkachuk’s impact on Calgary was immediate and sustained. Over six seasons with the Flames, he posted over 100 goals and more than 300 points while delivering over 450 hits. His style of play—equal parts skilled playmaker and agitating pest—made him one of the league’s most effective and most hated players, depending on your perspective. He became the emotional leader of Calgary’s roster and a perennial All-Star.

However, the relationship between Tkachuk and the Flames eventually reached an impasse. After years of speculation about his long-term commitment, Tkachuk requested a trade during the 2022 offseason. The result was a blockbuster deal with the Florida Panthers that sent him to South Florida on an eight-year contract extension worth $76 million, making him one of the faces of the franchise.

The move to Florida has been transformational for both Tkachuk and the Panthers. He posted 109 points in his first season with the team and led them to the Stanley Cup Final. More importantly, he helped deliver back-to-back championships in 2024 and 2025, scoring the Stanley Cup-clinching goal in game six of the 2025 Finals. His playoff performances have been exceptional, showcasing his ability to elevate his game when it matters most.

As we assess where the 2016 NHL Entry Draft top 10 players stand today, Tkachuk represents the absolute ceiling. He has developed into a bonafide superstar, a playoff performer, and a champion. His name is already etched on the Stanley Cup twice, and he remains in his prime years with one of the NHL’s best teams. Calgary’s decision to let him walk rather than building around him will haunt the franchise for years.

The steady contributor: Clayton Keller’s consistent excellence in the desert

When the Arizona Coyotes selected Clayton Keller seventh overall, they were betting on an undersized forward with exceptional skill and hockey sense to become their offensive catalyst. Despite standing just 5-foot-10, Keller’s speed, creativity, and scoring ability suggested he could overcome any size disadvantage and thrive in the NHL.

Keller made an immediate impact as a rookie, posting 23 goals and 65 points during the 2017-18 season. His performance earned him a Calder Trophy nomination alongside Mathew Barzal and Brock Boeser, and he led Arizona in scoring despite being just 19 years old. The Coyotes had found their offensive cornerstone.

A slight dip in production during his sophomore campaign raised minor concerns, but Arizona showed faith by signing Keller to an eight-year, $57.2 million extension in September 2019. The deal reflected their belief that he would continue developing into an elite scorer, and Keller has largely delivered on that investment.

Over the past several seasons, Keller has emerged as one of the league’s most consistent offensive producers. His 2022-23 campaign was his best yet, with career-high totals of 37 goals and 86 points, approaching a point-per-game pace. He followed that with 76 points in 78 games during 2023-24, cementing his status as a legitimate first-line talent.

With the franchise’s relocation to Utah and rebranding as the Mammoth, Keller was named team captain, adding leadership responsibilities to his already significant on-ice role. His ability to produce consistently while playing a responsible two-way game has made him invaluable to the organization. At 27 years old and locked in long-term, Keller represents stability as Utah builds its identity.

When evaluating where the 2016 NHL Entry Draft top 10 players are now, Keller stands as a success story of player development and organizational commitment. While he may not generate the headlines of Matthews or Tkachuk, he has become exactly what Arizona/Utah needed: a reliable, high-end scorer who can carry an offense and serve as the face of the franchise through its transition phase.

The disappointing pick: Alexander Nylander’s struggles to establish himself

The Buffalo Sabres entered the 2016 draft hoping to add another elite talent to complement Jack Eichel and build a foundation for sustained success. Their selection of Alexander Nylander at eighth overall seemed logical—he was the OHL’s rookie of the year in 2015-16, possessed excellent offensive instincts, and carried the pedigree of being William Nylander’s younger brother.

Unfortunately for both Nylander and Buffalo, the projection never materialized into NHL production. Over three seasons with the Sabres organization, Alexander appeared in just 19 NHL games, recording a mere six points. While he showed promise in the AHL, it became clear he wasn’t developing quickly enough for a team desperate for immediate help. The Sabres cut their losses, trading him to the Chicago Blackhawks for defenseman Henri Jokiharju in 2019.

The change to Chicago provided a longer look, but Nylander remained unable to establish himself as a regular NHL contributor. He posted 10 goals and 26 points in 65 games during the 2019-20 season, offering a glimpse of potential. However, a knee injury suffered in the playoffs required surgery and cost him the entire 2020-21 regular season, further stunting his development.

Nylander bounced between the NHL and AHL with Chicago before being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in January 2022. The Penguins primarily used him as an AHL depth piece, and he was subsequently dealt to the Columbus Blue Jackets in February 2024. Following the 2023-24 season, Alexander found himself without an NHL contract, eventually signing an AHL deal with the Toronto Marlies in Toronto’s organization.

Looking at where the 2016 NHL Entry Draft top 10 players have landed, Alexander Nylander represents one of the draft’s clearest misses. Despite all the tools and developmental support, he has been unable to stick as an NHL regular. Now approaching his late twenties and playing in the minor leagues, his window to establish himself at the highest level is rapidly closing. Buffalo’s decision to draft him eighth overall remains a painful reminder that bloodlines and junior production don’t always translate.

The trade that haunts Montreal: Mikhail Sergachev’s success in Tampa Bay and Utah

The Montreal Canadiens’ decision to select Mikhail Sergachev ninth overall in 2016 looked like brilliant drafting. The Russian defenseman possessed excellent size at 6-foot-3, could skate well, and demonstrated the kind of two-way ability that wins championships. However, the Canadiens made an impatient move that would haunt them for years.

In June 2017, Montreal traded Sergachev to the Tampa Bay Lightning as the centerpiece of a package to acquire forward Jonathan Drouin. The Canadiens believed Drouin would provide the offense they desperately needed, but the deal immediately looked questionable as Sergachev thrived with the Lightning while Drouin struggled in Montreal.

Sergachev’s rookie season in Tampa Bay set a franchise record for points by a rookie defenseman with 40, and he quickly established himself as a key component of the Lightning’s blue line. Over seven seasons with Tampa Bay, he developed into a reliable top-four defenseman capable of playing 20-plus minutes per night while contributing offensively and defending responsibly.

Most importantly, Sergachev helped the Lightning win back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021, making him the first player from the 2016 top-10 to have his name engraved on hockey’s most prestigious trophy. His playoff performances demonstrated that he could elevate his game when it mattered most, a crucial trait that Montreal desperately needed.

In June 2024, Tampa Bay traded Sergachev to the Utah Hockey Club as part of a cap-clearing move, sending him to the newly relocated franchise along with assets in exchange for J.J. Moser, Conor Geekie, and draft picks. The 2024-25 season saw Sergachev post 15 goals and 53 points over 77 games for Utah, providing the offensive production from the blue line that the organization desperately needed as they established their identity.

As we examine the 2016 NHL Entry Draft top 10 players where they are now, Sergachev stands as both a success story and a cautionary tale about organizational patience. He has become exactly what teams draft in the top-10: a two-way defenseman who can log major minutes, contribute offensively, and perform in pressure situations. Montreal’s decision to trade him for short-term help remains one of the franchise’s most regrettable moves of the past decade, similar to other questionable draft decisions throughout NHL history.

The unrealized potential: Tyson Jost’s journey through four organizations

The Colorado Avalanche have been masterful at identifying and developing top-tier talent through the draft, adding stars like Gabriel Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon, and Mikko Rantanen in recent years. When they selected Tyson Jost tenth overall in 2016, expectations were high that he would continue this trend and become another offensive weapon for the franchise.

However, Jost never developed into the impact player Colorado envisioned. Over six seasons with the Avalanche, he managed just 45 goals and 103 points while primarily occupying a depth role. On a team loaded with offensive talent, Jost struggled to carve out significant ice time and never established himself as a top-six forward. His defensive game was solid, but his offensive production lagged far behind what you’d expect from a top-10 selection.

In March 2022, Colorado traded Jost to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for prospect Nico Sturm, effectively admitting the pick hadn’t worked out. The Wild deployed him in a bottom-six role where he provided energy but minimal scoring. In November 2022, the Buffalo Sabres claimed Jost off waivers, hoping a change of scenery might unlock something more.

Jost spent nearly two full seasons with Buffalo, appearing in 102 games and accumulating 28 points while continuing to play a limited depth role. The Sabres chose not to re-sign him following the 2023-24 season, and he inked a one-year deal with the Carolina Hurricanes in July 2024. After one season in Carolina playing a similar fourth-line role, he signed another one-year contract with the Nashville Predators for 2025-26.

When looking at where the 2016 NHL Entry Draft top 10 players stand now, Jost represents a player who has carved out an NHL career but fallen well short of top-10 expectations. He has become a journeyman depth forward, useful for his defensive responsibility and penalty-killing ability but unable to provide the offensive impact that justified his draft position. For a Colorado franchise that has otherwise hit on so many high picks, Jost remains a rare miss.

Nearly a decade removed from the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, the top-10 selections have produced a fascinating spectrum of career outcomes. Auston Matthews and Matthew Tkachuk have become superstars and faces of their franchises, with Tkachuk already a two-time Stanley Cup champion. Clayton Keller and Mikhail Sergachev have developed into solid top-tier contributors, while Pierre-Luc Dubois has found his footing as a reliable two-way player after bouncing between organizations.

On the other end of the spectrum, Olli Juolevi and Jesse Puljujarvi have seen their careers derailed by injuries and unfulfilled potential, both now playing outside the NHL. Alexander Nylander and Tyson Jost have struggled to establish themselves as regular contributors despite remaining in North American hockey. Patrik Laine’s career has been marked by flashes of brilliance interrupted by injuries and inconsistency, leaving his ultimate legacy still to be determined.

The 2016 draft class serves as a powerful reminder that prospect evaluation remains an imperfect science. Talent, work ethic, organizational fit, health, and opportunity all play crucial roles in determining whether a highly-touted prospect becomes a star or a cautionary tale. As these players enter the prime and latter stages of their careers, their stories continue to evolve—some writing chapters of triumph, others of what might have been.