Auston Matthews and Dylan Larkin are key components of the wave of young talent that is taking the National Hockey League by storm.
Larkin broke onto the scene last season, as a speedy 19-year-old forward that went on to score 23 goals and 45 points as a rookie, which put him in impressive company as the first Red Wings freshman to top the 20-goal mark since Henrik Zetterberg did it back in 2002-03.
Matthews joined the Maple Leafs as the first overall pick in last year’s NHL Draft, and he wasted no time making an impression on Toronto fans and the hockey world, scoring four goals in his debut.
The Centennial Classic on Sunday is an event celebrating the NHL’s past. The future looks bright, too, and players like Matthews and Larkin are responsible for that.