NEWS » ednesday.FRISCO, Texas -- Lef

Over the past three or four years, the NHL has become a young mans game. That said, something is distinctly different about the early stages of this season that suggests we might have opened a door to a new frontier, where Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, Patrik Laine and others are not only commanding attention, but are forever changing the NHL landscape.Every week well look at young players who are on a roll and others who need to step it up. Behold, the under-24 player rankings.?HotConnor McDavid, C, Edmonton OilersAs of Friday, three of the leagues top six point producers were 20 years of age or younger (McDavid, Matthews and William Nylander), but its hard to ignore the way McDavid has come out of the gate for the red-hot Oilers. After being named captain before the season, McDavid hasnt missed a beat and has 11 points in seven games while averaging 21:09 in ice time. What impresses me is that McDavid has eight even-strength points as the 6-1-0 Oilers have beaten some of the leagues elite teams while moving to first place in the Pacific Division and top spot in the Western Conference. Its been a long time since thats happened for the Oilers.Patrik Laine, RW, Winnipeg JetsIts been an up-and-down start for the Jets, who have yet to win back-to-back games this season. But if theyre going to get back in the playoffs, its clear Laine, the No. 2 pick in June, is going to lead them. The big 18-year-old Finn with the big shot has six goals, tied for the league lead and most among rookies, along with two assists for eight points in seven games. His 19:12 in average ice time is the most among rookie forwards.Travis Konecny, C, Philadelphia FlyersThe 19-year-old London, Ontario, native has been a revelation to the youthful Flyers, with seven points in eight games, fourth among all rookies. The slight (hes listed as 5-foot-10, 175 pounds) center has points in six of eight games, and head coach Dave Hakstol continues to show confidence in the 24th-overall pick from 2015, moving him up the lineup and expanding his ice time.NotJohn Gibson, G, Anaheim DucksSometimes its easy to think of Gibson as a grizzled veteran in spite of the fact the 39th-overall pick in 2011 is just 23. But after hiccups to start his career, the highly touted goalie is now in a position where he has to step up for the Ducks. With backup Jonathan Bernier?out with an injury, Gibson has to prove hes got the goods and consistency to lead a talented team like the Ducks. Gibson started slowly but has gone 3-0-1 in his past four appearances. Hes got to keep performing to keep the doubters at bay.Mathew Barzal, C,?New York IslandersAfter an impressive training camp that saw the 16th-overall pick in 2015 stick with the big club, Barzal, 19, has managed to get into just two of the Islanders first six games and is back to being a healthy scratch after a game against the?Montreal Canadiens?in which a Barzal turnover led to a goal. There were also other defensive issues. The Islanders are off to a 3-5 start and coach Jack Capuano told reporters he cant keep experimenting with his forward lines and needs to find continuity, although he wouldnt cite Barzals miscues as the reason for his return to the press box.Aaron Ekblad, D, Florida PanthersOne might have expected the Panthers to struggle, especially offensively, without top six forwards Nick Bjugstad and Jonathan Huberdeau, who are lost long-term to injury. And they have, losing two in a row, giving the defending Atlantic Division champions a 3-3-1 record. In the absence of those players, the Panthers will be looking for their leaders to fill the void. And although former rookie of the year Ekblad leads the team in average ice time at 24:12, playing mostly against opposing teams top offensive units, he has struggled on the offensive side of the puck. Ekblad, 20, has one goal and zero assists, his lone score coming on the power play. The Panther power play, by the way, is 22nd in the league.Young Guns ShowdownTroy Stecher, D,?Vancouver Canucks vs. Connor McDavid, C,?Edmonton Oilers, Friday, 10 p.m. ETMuch is expected from defenseman Stecher, 22, after an outstanding training camp, and hell get a chance to earn his keep in a prominent role as he gets just his second NHL start Friday, likely playing against the NHLs leading scorer. Coach Willie Desjardins told reporters in Vancouver that Stecher, who signed as a free agent with the hometown Canucks after three years at the University of North Dakota, will likely be paired with veteran Alexander Edler?against the Oilers top offensive unit, led by McDavid. A solid showing Friday would put Stecher in line for a repeat performance Saturday against?Alex Ovechkin?and the Washington Capitals.Lonnie Johnson Youth Jersey . Newcastle dominated in the early stages but City weathered the storm and then raised its game in extra time. Negredo broke the deadlock from close range after a simple move in the 99th minute before Dzeko took the ball round goalkeeper Tim Krul to seal the victory in the 105th. DeAndre Hopkins Youth Jersey . Ivanovic was leading 7-5, 1-0 when Hantuchova withdrew after falling 0-40 behind in the second game. The match started slowly for Ivanovic, who surrendered her first two serves as Hantuchova took a 5-3 lead. http://www.officialhoustontexanspro.com/Jj-watt-texans-jersey/ . MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez also will attend the session, which was announced Monday. The league has discussed placing its next two expansion teams in Miami and Atlanta. Lonnie Johnson Texans Jersey . Reigning world champion Eve Muirhead of Scotland opened with a 12-2 rout of Winnipegs Jennifer Jones in a battle of teams bound for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. Max Scharping Youth Jersey . - Chris Tierney snapped a tie with a power-play goal late in the third period as the London Knights rallied from a 3-0 deficit to beat the Erie Otters 5-3 in Ontario Hockey League action on Wednesday.FRISCO, Texas -- Left wing Lauri Korpikoski has signed a $1 million, one-year contract with the Dallas Stars after the eight-year NHL veteran was released from his professional tryout with the Calgary Flames.General manager Jim Nill announced the signing Monday, saying it bolsters the Stars depth at forward. Nill called the 30-year-old Finn an experienced, disciplined player who can kill penalties.Korpikoski had 22 points (10 goals) in 71 games foor Edmonton last season.dddddddddddd He was one of only 10 NHL players to play at least 71 games with 10 penalty minutes or fewer.A first-round pick in the 2004 NHL draft by the New York Rangers, Korpikoski made his NHL debut for them in 2008-09. He then played six seasons in Arizona before going to Edmonton last year. ' ' '