Rookies are Taking Over the NHL

Theres been a lot of talk about rookies this season so let’s explore how rookies on a few teams are doing in comparison to the older players. Let’s take a look at the Ducks, Red Wings, and Blue Jackets. Each of these teams have a rookie who has outshined some older players.

On the Ducks, rookies Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale have had incredible seasons so far. Zegras has 9 goals and 18 assists for a total of 27 points in his 32 games played, making him second on his team for points this year. Drysdale has 3 goals and 13 assists for a total of 16 points in his 38 games played, making him 9th on his team for overall points. Drysdale is also averaging 19:15 minutes on ice per game making him the 4th on his team in time on ice.

On the Red Wings, Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider have also had amazing seasons. Raymond has 10 goals and 20 assists for 30 points in his 36 games played making him second on his team for points this year. Seider has 3 goals and 20 assists for a total of 23 points in 36 games, putting him in 4th for points this season on his team. Seider also averages 22:28 minutes on ice per game making him second on his team but only by 18 seconds.

Lastly on the Blue Jackets, Cole Sillinger has had a pretty good season. Sillinger has 5 goals and 7 assists for a total of 12 points in his 33 games played, placing him in 12th for overall points on his team.

So what does all of this mean? Well, on each of these teams it’s clearly shown that the rookies are doing some of the best work and putting up more points and ice time than some of the vets, even on a few teams, the coaches have opted out of putting in the more experienced players for a game since their rookies are doing so well. Raymond is tied for 43rd in the league in points, only one point behind big players like Patrick Kane. Zegras is tied for 63rd in the league with big players like Alex DeBrincat and David Pastrnak and above players like Patrice Bergeron and Sidney Crosby.