As the NHL season enters its second month, there are a handful of rookies who are starting to separate themselves from the pack in the race for the Calder Trophy. Here is a look at five of those first-year players:
Vegas Golden Knights forward Trevor Connelly
Connelly, who is on pace for 55 points, is well on his way to becoming the highest-scoring rookie in franchise history. His speed has been his greatest asset; Connelly’s max skating speed of 23.73 mph is the fifth highest in the league this season, and his 11 rush scoring chances are tied for second-most among rookies.
The Golden Knights have found success pairing Connelly, 20, with 14-year veteran Tomas Hertl. Vegas has generated 61.4 per cent of the expected goals and outscored opponents 8-3 at even strength during Connelly and Hertl’s shared minutes.
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jacob Fowler
Fowler was in net for the Canadiens’ historic collapse against the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday, allowing four goals over the final 2:39 of regulation. But overall, the 21-year-old has been excellent for Montreal with 7.68 goals saved above expected (GSAE), fourth-most in the league. Fowler’s 46-save shutout against the St. Louis Blues on Oct. 27 was the best performance by any goaltender this season based on GSAE (4.49).
Fowler had a streak of four consecutive quality starts last month, tied for the second-longest run in the league this season. That included back-to-back steals against the Jets and Blues where he saved 35 of 36 slot shots (.972 save percentage).
It has been nearly 20 years since a goaltender last won the Calder Trophy (Columbus’ Steve Mason in 2009), and Fowler has started building a strong case for himself.
Boston Bruins forward James Hagens
The league leader in rookie scoring (12 points in 16 games), Hagens is on pace to become the first Bruins rookie since Bryan Smolinski in 1993-94 to reach 30 goals. He does not waste his time floating around the edges of the prime scoring areas; five of his six goals have come from the inner slot.
Hagens’ start is made even more impressive by the fact that he ranks 13th in average ice time (13:26) among the 30 rookie forwards who have played at least five games.
Bruins coach Marco Sturm is not shielding Hagens from difficult assignments, deploying the 20-year-old alongside Casey Mittelstadt and Elias Lindholm on the team’s matchup line. Boston has outscored opponents 7-2 and generated 58.3 per cent of the expected goals at five-on-five in 112:48 of ice time. Hagens’ 6.88 defensive plays per 20 minutes place him 31st out of 424 qualified forwards (minimum five games played).
“I do like that now he’s facing the big boys,” Sturm told reporters. “Those are big steps for him. Moving forward, how to play behind them, manage pucks, not give away pucks. He can’t do things overnight. It has to be step by step. Sometimes it’s just playing games.”
Washington Capitals defenceman Cole Hutson
Much like his brother (and recent Calder Trophy winner) Lane, the younger Hutson is instant offence from the back end. Hutson’s 27 scoring chances and 52 slot-driving plays rank second and eighth, respectively, at his position.
The Capitals have won Hutson’s five-on-five minutes 15-12 on the scoreboard, generating 56.5 per cent of the expected goals as well. Last Sunday, Hutson’s offensive impact at five-on-five was on display when Washington had a 35-9 advantage in shot attempts against the Minnesota Wild when he was on the ice, including a 13-1 edge in high-danger scoring chances.
Hutson, who leads all rookies in average ice time at 19:21 per game, is not being asked to do much heavy lifting defensively. Coach Spencer Carbery plans on easing Hutson into tough defensive situations.
“He’s going to get there,” Carbery told reporters. “I have no doubt he’s going to be able to play in all situations, play more minutes. Early in his rookie campaign, it’s about us as a coaching staff making sure that we’re putting him in positions on the ice to be successful and not putting him in a spot where we’ve put our team in a susceptible situation, protecting the lead.”
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Gavin McKenna
The combination of McKenna’s No. 1 pick status and hockey-crazed Toronto means that his every move is highly scrutinized. McKenna has 11 points in 17 games and shown flashes of his immense talent, especially on the power play (five points). His play at five-on-five remains a work in progress; Toronto has been outscored 11-5 and generated 36.9 per cent of the expected goals during McKenna’s minutes.
Unlike recent No. 1 overall forwards such as Macklin Celebrini and Connor Bedard, McKenna is not the focal point of his team. The Maple Leafs have shuffled McKenna from line to line, playing him with seven different forwards for at least 30 minutes at even strength.
“The things you see from (McKenna), it’s not hard to forecast out and see that he could be a top player in this league one day,” Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka told reporters. “I think the idea that 18-year-olds come in, even if they’re first overall picks and they’re ready to dictate outcomes and be superstars, if you actually look at it, it’s pretty rare and almost never happens.”
All stats via Sportlogiq/Teamworks
