Since the end of the first half of the season is close, it’s time to look at the best rookies in the NHL this season. With the exception of Aaron Ekblad, the other four players on this list were drafted before the 2014 NHL entry draft. It takes time for some players to develop and the number one player on the list is no exception. Here is a look at the top five rookies so far this season.
1. Filip Forsberg, RW, Nashville
If the Calder Trophy was awarded today, Forsberg would no doubt be the front runner. With 37 points (14 G, 23 A) in 38 games this season, he’s been a huge reason why the Predators are one of the top teams in the NHL. He’s been apart of one of the better lines in the NHL this season with James Neal and Mike Ribeiro.
Forsberg didn’t look that great last year in Nashville, only putting up 5 points(1 G) in 13 games but he’s turned it around under new coach, Peter Laviolette. Nashville should be happy that they acquired a possible franchise player for next to nothing(Martin Erat and Michael Latta).
2. Johnny Gaudreau, LW, Calgary
Johnny Hockey has been as dynamic of a forward as promised. His speed and skill with the puck is why a lot of people are comparing him to Patrick Kane. Coming from a great collegiate career at Boston College, Gaudreau hasn’t looked intimated in the NHL with 31 points(13 G, 18 A) in 39 games. He’s tied for first on the Flames with three game winning goals. What’s even harder to believe about Gaudreau is that he was a 4th round pick in 2011.
3. Aaron Ekblad, D, Florida
The first overall pick of the 2014 draft has had a solid rookie campaign. He is second on the Panthers in scoring and first among defensemen with 22 points(5 G, 17 A). Ekblad is also averaging just a little over 22 minutes of ice time a game, which is not that common for an 18 year old. The Panthers were in need of a franchise player, and it looks like they found one with Ekblad. He was the top pick in last year’s draft for good reason, he was the most NHL ready. Only Ekblad and Bruins forward David Pastrnak still remain in the NHL from last year’s draft.
4. Michael Hutchinson, G, Winnipeg
At 24 years old, Hutchinson is the oldest of all the players on this list. He also is the only goalie. Hutchinson has been splitting time with Ondrej Pavelec in Winnipeg, even though he’s been mostly better. He’s posted excellent numbers, .936 SV%, 1.88 GAA, and a 10-4-2 record.
The Jets are paying Ondrej Pavelec a lot more money than Hutchinson to be the starting goalie in Winnipeg so that might be the reason for their reluctance to go with Hutchinson full time. He’ll have to continue to prove himself down the stretch if he wants to take Pavelec’s job.
5. John Klingberg, D, Dallas
Only playing in 24 games this season, Klingberg has been very solid for the Stars this season. He is second in scoring for rookie defensemen with 13 points(4 G, 9 A), behind only Aaron Ekblad. Klingberg ranks third in average ice time(21:28) on the Stars defense and is a + 12. He also had a 5 game point streak (3 G, 5 A) in November.
Klingberg was a 5th round pick for Dallas in 2010 and didn’t arrive in the NHL this year until November after some trades and other moves. He has been a nice addition to a previously questionable Dallas defense.
