19 minutes in a game that ended at 12:05

The league has never been as young and as talented as it is now. Here are eight players who will change the direction of their teams this season and beyond.1. Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton Oilers: This is a no-brainer. Not only is the 19-year-old forward a generational player, he has the ability to rival the career of No. 99. Yes, I said it. Not that McDavid wants to be compared to Wayne Gretzky, but the second-year NHLer has proven why he has the potential to become the best player in the world. That description is held by the Pittsburgh Penguins Sidney Crosby, but if McDavid can remain healthy and productive, this dynamic player in every aspect of the game will revive the Oilers and return the Stanley Cup to Edmonton at some point in his career. Its also impressive hes already wearing the C.2. Auston Matthews, C, Toronto Maple Leafs: If Matthews, 19, was eligible to be drafted in the same 2015 class as McDavid and Jack Eichel, many scouts believe Matthews would have edged Eichel for the No. 2 spot. Either way, Matthews, last Junes No. 1 overall pick, has been outstanding since he turned pro. He was off the charts during the World Cup of Hockey for Team North America, and his four-goal NHL debut was nothing short of amazing. The rebuilding process for the Maple Leafs continues and Matthews will be one of the reasons winning hockey will become the norm once again in Toronto.3. Aaron Ekblad, D, Florida Panthers: The No. 1 overall selection in 2014 is one of the best defensemen in the game. His talent was noticeable during his rookie season, when he impressed with his composure both on and off the ice. Ekblad, 20, was named alternate captain of the Panthers this season and its deserved. The 2015 Calder Trophy winner as rookie of the year will no doubt also capture the Norris Trophy one day.4. Johnny Gaudreau, LW, Calgary Flames: There are 40 million reasons the 23-year-old forward will have an impact for the Flames. His recent six-year deal worth $6.75 million per season has fans excited that Johnny Hockey will remain in Calgary to excite for the foreseeable future. But its more than just the money for Gaudreau. Generously listed at 5-foot-9, the talented forward plays a lot bigger than his frame. Unlike the three players ahead of him on this list, Gaudreau was a fourth-round pick (No. 104 overall in 2011) and has elevated his game to become one of the best young players in the league.5.?Jack Eichel, C, Buffalo Sabres: Currently sidelined 8-10 weeks with a high-ankle sprain, Eichel is one of the reasons fans are excited about the possibility of a winning team in Buffalo again. Drafted No. 2 behind McDavid in 2015, Eichel enjoyed a successful rookie season, posting 24 goals and 32 assists for 56 points in 81 games. He wasnt at his best for Team North America at the World Cup, but once hes healthy and cleared to return, its expected Eichels game will take the next step. High-ankle sprains are tough injuries to deal with for hockey players, so it will be a challenge for him to deal with for the next two months.6. Shayne Gostisbehere, D, Philadelphia Flyers: Of all the young players to play last season, Gostisbehere was the most dynamic to watch. The 23-year-old defenseman registered 17 goals and 29 assists for 46 points in 64 games. His 17 goals set a franchise record for rookie defensemen and his 15-game scoring streak was the longest such streak by a rookie defenseman in NHL history. During the offseason, he had hip and abdominal surgery but showed no ill effects while playing for Team North America in the World Cup. The Flyers arent too far off from becoming a perennial Stanley Cup playoff contender again, and Gostisbehere will be a big reason for Philadelphias success.7. Nathan MacKinnon, C, Colorado Avalanche: MacKinnon is the most interesting player on this list. The 21-year-old forward and No. 1 overall pick in 2013 needs to elevate his game to a level this season where he can carry the Avalanche. He has the ability to accomplish it. That will be his challenge this season, and he must, in order to be considered an elite player. It was a good sign for the Colorado organization that MacKinnon spent the offseason working out with Crosby in Nova Scotia. By all accounts, it was a successful summer for both of them, especially MacKinnon. Well revisit his status in April.8. Jimmy Vesey, LW, New York Rangers: The 23-year-old forward gained the most interest as a college free agent during the summer. The reigning Hobey Baker Award winner from Harvard entertained offers from seven NHL teams before signing with the Rangers in August. He will be given every opportunity to succeed in New York in every aspect of the game. Veseys addition to the lineup should pay dividends now and in the future for the Rangers. Hes considered a tireless workhorse off the ice, which bodes well for his current and future success. China Jerseys Cheap . The Dane followed up his first European Tour title last weekend with eight birdies and just a single dropped shot on Thursday for a one-stroke advantage over South Africas Allan Versfeld and Portugals Ricardo Santos. China Jerseys Wholesale . PETERSBURG, Fla. https://www.chinajerseyscheap.us/ . -- Gus Malzahn finally had his day in Fayetteville. Cheap Jerseys From China . In the lead up - which seemed to begin the moment Mike Geiger blew the whistle in Houston last Thursday night - the Impact rumour mill went into overdrive. The speculation went into meltdown mode, of the golden nugget variety. Fake China Jerseys . -- San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks was fined $15,570 by the NFL on Wednesday for his hit on Saints quarterback Drew Brees last Sunday. NEW YORK -- Brandon Nimmo sent the ball soaring toward the Chicago Cubs bullpen and started sprinting.Hey, Ive never hit a major league home run before, so I dont know what that feels like, he said. So, out of the box, Im going. I was floating around the bases there. I didnt know what I was doing.The 23-year-old rookies three-run homer in the fourth inning was one of five home runs by the New York Mets off Jason Hammel in a 10-2 victory Friday night that ended Jacob deGroms 10-start winless streak.Nimmo, who made his big league debut Sunday and played his first home game Thursday, pulled a 92 mph fastball to right-center for a 7-1 lead. The ball traveled 442 feet, according to MLBs Statcast, and Nimmo darted past first base with the joy of a kid before slowing only slightly as he rounded the bases in just over 17 seconds.Prodded by bench coach Dick Scott, Nimmo walked up the dugout steps for a curtain call when Neil Walker already was in the batters box. A native of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Nimmo was in awe of the big city reaction.It just never occurred to me that Id ever get a curtain call, and to be able to get that in the second game here in Citi Field is just amazing, he said with an ever-present smile.Then in the fifth, Nimmo dashed from right field close to the foul line to make a diving catch on Hammels liner, flipping the ball into the stands as he ran back to the Mets dugout.A home run, curtain and web gem, all in a 9-minute span.Its always nice to have those young guys come up, because they bring energy, Mets manager Terry Collins said.Nimmos home run was picked up by a security guard who gave the ball to bullpen coach Ricky Bones. During the next rain delay, Bones gave it to Nimmo, the 13th overall pick in the 2011 amateur draft. It will go to Nimmos parents.James Loney and Asdrubal Cabrera hit consecutive homers in the second, just before a 68-minute rain delay, and Cabrera hit a two-run drive in the fourth, shortly after Yoenis Cespedes solo shot. New York hit five homers at home for the first time in 16 years, and Cespedes reached 20 homers in a season for the fifth time.DeGrom (4-4) allowed one run and three hits in five-plus innings -- Kris Bryants NL-high 23rd homer -- annd left after the third delay, which brought the total to 1 hour, 19 minutes in a game that ended at 12:05 a.dddddddddddd.m. He had been 0-4 since beating San Francisco on April 30 despite a 3.13 ERA over that 10-start span. The Mets had scored three runs in his previous five outings.DeGroms fastball velocity, down earlier this season, often reached 96 mph.Im finally starting to get everything in line, and Im not falling as hard off to first-base side, deGrom said. I felt like I wasnt trying to throw as hard, and it was coming out better.Hammel (7-5) was tagged for career highs of 10 runs and five homers, allowing nine hits in four innings as his ERA rose from 2.58 to 3.45. He is 0-4 in five starts since a win June 4 over Arizona.Im almost at a loss for words just because of how bad it was, Hammel said.STOP AND STARTThe game was delayed 11 minutes at the start, again after two innings and yet again for 40 minutes in the sixth.HOME RUN DERBYNew York hit five home runs in a home game for the fifth time, the first since June 26, 2000, against the Florida at Shea Stadium. The Mets hit consecutive home runs for the ninth time this season, and Cabrera had his first multihomer game since 2013. ... Needing a triple for a cycle, Loney grounded out in the sixth and eighth.DEBUTSeth Lugo, a 26-year-old right-hander, made his big league debut with two innings of two-hit relief. Lugo is the first Mets player to wear No. 67 in a regular-season game.TRAINERS ROOMMets: OF Juan Lagares, who hasnt played for the Mets since June 14 because of a sprained left thumb, will be activated no later than Sundays game against the Cubs and LHP Jon Lester. ... OF Curtis Granderson, who hasnt played since Wednesday, remains sidelined by a right calf strain. He will be evaluated again Saturday. ... LHP Steven Matz (bone spur in his pitching elbow) took anti-inflammatory medication before his start Thursday. I would say every five days hell be taking something, Collins said.UP NEXTRHP Jake Arrieta (12-2) is to start for the Cubs on Saturday night and RHP Bartolo Colon (6-4) for the Mets. ' ' '