10 Rookie Debuts in the NHL to Look Out

NHL season is incoming and rookie players are anticipating their jump to the big leagues. The three finalist of the Calder Trophy were Cale Maker, Quinn Hughes, and Dominik Kubalik, already establishing in our list of 10 rookie players to look out for. 

CALE MAKAR, COLORADO AVALANCHE

Already establishing himself as the leading rookie this season is Cale Maker, as the leading candidate for the Calder Trophy. Known for his smooth skating and his league record for career playoff points by a rookie (21 over two years) also scoring three-winning goals in the 2020 playoffs — another record for rookie D-men. 

QUINN HUGHES, VANCOUVER CANUCKS

Also one of the best rookie options, scoring nine of his 16 playoff points with the man advatantage. 

DENIS GURIANOV, DALLAS STARS

Scoring the most goals in the 2020 NHL playoffs who led with 18 goals in 17 games. Most notable was a four a four-goal, five-point performance in Game 6 against Calgary in the round, and also had a five-game point streak into Game 7 against the Avs. 

DOMINIK KUBALIK, CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

Kubalik was a seventh-round pick by L.A. in 2013 who was traded to Chicago in 2019 for a fifth-round pick. Then he went out and scored 30 goals in 68 games in the regular season – to lead all rookies – and then added four more goals (and eight points) in nine playoff games. The Hawks would be wise to give him more than 14 minutes a game next season.

NICK SUZUKI, MONTREAL CANADIENS

Suzuki asserted himself as the regular season unfolded, including a stretch from mid-November through mid-February in which he produced 34 points in 45 games. He hit the scoresheet with four goals and seven points in the playoffs, and his continued ascent – as well as the post-season emergence of sophomore Jesperi Kotkaniemi – gives the Havs hope that they’ve found their top-line centers for the foreseeable future.

VLADISLAV GAVRIKOV, COLUMBUS BLUE. JACKETS 

Averaging 23:21 per playoff game, more. Than any other NHL rookie including Makar and Hughes. 

DILLON DUBE, CALGARY FLAMES 

Dube has scored 4 goals in 10 playoffs contests for the flames.

PHILIPE MYERS, PHILLADELPHIA FLYERS

His team, the flyers have progressively been dependent on him as the defensive side ever since playoffs have progressed. Has added some offense for good measure, scoring three times in 16 games. 

KIRBY DACH, CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS 

Dach was the No.3 overall pick in the 2019 draft and collected six points in nine games as the Blackhawks. 

NICHOLAS ROY, VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS 

Has collected 7 points in 16 layoff games overall.