Top 15 NHL Rookies To Watch While Connor McDavid Is Injured
By Daniel Friedman
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Rookie phenom Connor McDavid will miss extensive time recovering from surgery, but luckily for you, there are a number of talented freshmen this season.
Perhaps some of them will get more attention now, but if you're wondering who to focus on, here's a primer on my top 15 rookies to watch in his absence:
15. Noah Hanifin – Defenseman, Carolina Hurricanes
Drafted: First round, fifth overall (2015)
Age:18
2015-16 stats: 2 points (0 goals, 2 assists) in 11 games
Analysis: He's a steady defenseman with puck-moving skills. Defensemen take time to develop, but his development will be fun to watch
14. Jared McCann – Center, Vancouver Canucks
Drafted: First round, 24th overall (2014)
Age: 19
2015-16 stats: 6 points (5 goals, 1 assist) in 11 games
Analysis: He is not afraid to go hard to the net and is willing to pick up the trash in front. He has a heck of a wrist shot.
13. Anthony Duclair – Left Wing, Arizona Coyotes
Drafted: Third round, 80th overall (2013)
Age: 20
2015-16 stats: 7 points (5 goals, 2 assists) in 11 games
Analysis: A pure goal scorer. There is strong chemistry between him and Max Domi in Arizona.
12. Robby Fabbri – Center, St. Louis Blues
Drafted: First round, 21st overall (2014)
Age: 19
2015-16 stats: 3 points (2 goal, 1 assist) in seven games
Analysis: He missed some time early with a concussion, but he'll work his way back into the mix. He has a phenomenal release.
11. Darnell Nurse – Defenseman, Edmonton Oilers
Drafted: First round, seventh overall (2013)
Age: 20 2015-16 stats: 2 points (1 goal, 1 assist) in six games
Analysis: He was called up recently, and it's doubtful he's going back down, as he has already shown his offensive ability. He's not afraid to be physical, either.
10. Oscar Lindberg – Center, New York Rangers
Drafted: Second round, 57th overall (2010)
Age: 24
2015-16 Stats: 9 points (6 goals, 3 assists) in 12 games
Analysis: He has flown under the radar and is quietly producing. He's a crafty skater and playmaker, and is versatile.
9. Colton Parayko – Defenseman, St. Louis Blues
Drafted: Third round, 86th overall (2012)
Age: 22
2015-16 stats: 9 points (4 goals, 5 assists) in 13 games
Analysis: If there's a wild card on this list, it's Parayko. At 6-foot-5 and 226 pounds, he's certainly an imposing presence. He's also been racking up points early on, but is that indicative of what's to come, or is he just getting the bounces right now? It'll be fun to see how things play out.
8. Sam Reinhart – Center, Buffalo Sabres
Drafted: First round, second overall (2014)
Age: 19
2015-16 stats: 5 points (2 goals, 3 assists) in 12 games
Analysis: He didn't stick around for very long in 2014, going back to juniors after nine games. But now he's back in the NHL for his first full-time gig, and has gotten little to no attention due to the plethora of young talent both on his team (Jack Eichel) and around the league. He's had a solid start to his season.
7. Sam Bennett – Center, Calgary Flames
Drafted: First round, fourth overall (2014)
Age: 19
2015-16 stats: 7 points (2 goals, 5 assists) in 12 games
Analysis: He got his first taste of NHL hockey in the playoffs last spring and showed he's capable of making plays. Just a dozen games into the season, he's showing it again.
6. Leon Draisaitl – Center, Edmonton Oilers
Drafted: First round, third overall (2014)
Age: 20
2015-16 stats: 7 points (3 goals, 4 assists) in three games
Analysis: Similarly to Reinhart in Buffalo, Draisaitl has been overshadowed in Edmonton by a cerebral stud (Connor McDavid), but he's a talented player as well. With McDavid out for at least a couple of months due to a broken clavicle, the Oilers need Draisaitl to step up. Fortunately for them, he already has.
5. Dylan Larkin – Center, Detroit Red Wings
Drafted: First round, 15th overall (2014)
Age: 19
2015-16 stats: 9 points (4 goals, 5 assists) in 12 games
Analysis: Arguably the most complete player on this list. He's putting up points but has also impressed without the puck and been very responsible in all three zones.
4. Nikolaj Ehlers – Right Wing, Winnipeg Jets
Drafted: First round, ninth overall (2014)
Age: 19
2015-16 stats: 9 points (4 goals, 5 assists) in 13 games
Analysis: He's probably the best skater in the NHL, and can make quality plays at top speed. He has that "wow" factor to him that makes you jump out of your seat whenever he has the puck.
3. Artemi Panarin – Left Wing, Chicago Blackhawks
Drafted: Undrafted
Age: 24
2015-16 stats: 11 points (2 goals, 9 assists) in 13 games
Analysis: A KHL import from Russia, he's certainly benefited from playing alongside Jonathan Toews (and, at times, Patrick Kane). But he's also shown that he's pretty darn good in his own right. He's a fantastic puckhandler.
2. Max Domi – Left Wing, Arizona Coyotes
Drafted: First round, 12th overall (2013)
Age: 20
2015-16 stats: 11 points (5 goals, 6 assists) in 11 games
Analysis: Clicking at a point-per-game pace, Domi is excelling as a playmaker, and has meshed with Duclair. He can shoot and make things happen in traffic that most players can't.
1. Jack Eichel – Center, Buffalo Sabres
Drafted: First round, second overall (2015)
Age: 19
2015-16 Stats: 4 points (4 goals, 0 assists) in 12 games
Analysis: It's only a matter of time before he emerges as the leader of the pack.
