End-of-Season Awards: Fantasy Rookie of the Year

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With the end of the NHL season drawing to a close, it's time to hand out some end of season awards. theScore's fantasy department wants YOU, the readers and fantasy players, to vote and decide the winner of each award. When voting, value players relative to standard league scoring:

Criteria: The Fantasy Rookie of the Year award should be handed out to the rookie who offered the most value in fantasy circles. Positional eligibility/scarcity, statistical versatility and consistent production should all be factored in.

Nominee: C Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs

The case: Matthews set the bar high by scoring four goals in his first game, but he didn't disappoint in the following 81 games. He is the only player in the league to record a shot on goal in every single game his team played this season. With four goals in each month of the season, he deserves two check marks for consistency. The only knock on Matthews is center is the deepest position in fantasy.

Nominee: LW/RW Patrik Laine, Winnipeg Jets

The case: Laine's stats closely resemble Matthews', despite missing nine games due to injury. His duel-winger eligibility provides managers with outstanding lineup flexibility. He faded slightly down the stretch, but he otherwise provided consistent scoring production - large in part due to an Ovechkin-like one-timer.

Nominee: G Matt Murray, Pittsburgh Penguins

The case: Some forget Murray is still considered a rookie for the 2016-17 season, after backstopping the Penguins to a Stanley Cup title last year. He opened the season in a timeshare with Marc-Andre Fleury, but he played his way into the starting role. He hasn't started as many games as other elite goaltenders, but he was great in all four fantasy categories.

(Photos courtesy Action Images)