In the first running of theScore's NHL Rookie Power Rankings, editor Ian McLaren orders the top first-year players from around the league this season - with extra consideration given to their performances this month.
10. Mikhail Sergachev
| GP | G | A | P | P/PG | 5-ON-5 CF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 57 | 8 | 23 | 31 | 0.54 | 53.54 |
The Tampa Bay Lightning made a bit of a gamble in trading Jonathan Drouin to Montreal for this young, highly-touted yet unproven defenserman, but Sergachev has fit right in, and sits within the top-25 in scoring among all players at his position.
He does rank sixth on the Lightning in terms of average ice time on the blue line, but his production in limited minutes suggests even bigger things to come.
9. Danton Heinen
| GP | G | A | P | P/PG | 5-ON-5 CF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52 | 12 | 26 | 38 | 0.73 | 55.19 |
The Boston Bruins are exceeding expectations this season based in part on the contributions of several youngsters, with Heinen fitting in well on the third line.
He isn't the flashiest rookie, and maybe not even the most talented first-year forward on his team (honorable mention to Jake DeBrusk), but Heinen knows his role, plays it well, and his contributions are proving to be a boon for the Bruins.
8. Kyle Connor
| GP | G | A | P | P/PG | 5-ON-5 CF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53 | 21 | 17 | 38 | 0.72 | 47.78 |
Connor's addition to the Jets top six gives Winnipeg head coach Paul Maurice an abundance of offensive threats.
The 21-year-old does not look out of place on the top line with Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele, and recently earned praise from the captain.
"I really liked Kyle Connor tonight. He was all over the puck and it makes a really big difference for our line when he's skating like that." Blake Wheeler on fresh lines and an old running mate.
— Murat (@WPGMurat) February 17, 2018
7. Nico Hischier
| GP | G | A | P | P/PG | 5-ON-5 CF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59 | 13 | 26 | 39 | 0.66 | 50.31 |
The first overall pick from the 2017 draft has been an important contributor for the upstart New Jersey Devils.
With a goal Sunday against Carolina, he extended his point streak to five games, wherein he's recorded four goals and four assists.
He's doing this while assuming first-line center duties, having gained the trust of head coach John Hynes at both ends of the ice, which is no small feat for a rookie.
6. Alex DeBrincat
| GP | G | A | P | P/PG | 5-ON-5 CF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59 | 22 | 17 | 39 | 0.66 | 54.58 |
The Chicago Blackhawks sure appear to have lucked out at the 2016 draft, as the highly-skilled yet undersized DeBrincat fell to 39th overall.
As of late, he's been one of the hottest scorers around the league, period.
Alex DeBrincat scores his eighth goal in 11 games, and ties Yanni Gourde for second among rookies with 22 goals. #Blackhawks
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) February 18, 2018
5. Clayton Keller
| GP | G | A | P | P/PG | 5-ON-5 CF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59 | 17 | 27 | 44 | 0.75 | 46.74 |
Keller has slowed down a bit following a howling start with the Arizona Coyotes, but the fact he's excelling offensively on a team that remains in the NHL's basement is a testament to how good a player he is.
If and when the Coyotes ever make good on years of building, the seventh pick from the 2016 draft is sure to be right at the center of it.
4. Yanni Gourde
| GP | G | A | P | P/PG | 5-ON-5 CF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59 | 22 | 22 | 44 | 0.75 | 51.65 |
Perhaps the most surprising name on this list is Gourde, who continues to defy expectations wherever he plays.
Undrafted at both the junior and pro levels, Gourde is putting up numbers for the Tampa Bay Lightning in the same way he did in the QMJHL and AHL: in bunches.
The depth scoring and defensive responsibility he brings is one of the many reasons why the Lightning are favored to win the Stanley Cup in 2018.
3. Charlie McAvoy
| GP | G | A | P | P/PG | 5-ON-5 CF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52 | 5 | 21 | 26 | 0.50 | 56.01 |
This stud defenseman is playing on the Bruins top pair alongside Zdeno Chara, and McAVoy is averaging around 22:30 per game, considerably more ice time than his peers.
McAvoy's proven to be a positive possession player with a strong game at both ends of the ice, and his plus-23 is sure to impress even the more traditional analysts.
Once he starts firing the puck with more regularity (61 shots in 52 games), he'll be an even greater forece to be reckoned with. As it stands, he should be a finalist in the rookie of the year voting.
2. Brock Boeser
| GP | G | A | P | P/PG | 5-ON-5 CF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 | 27 | 22 | 49 | 0.89 | 47.4 |
Only eight players have scored more goals than Boeser, who recently earned All-Star Game MVP honors.
The Vancouver Canucks did very well to snag this marksman with the 23rd pick at the 2015 draft, and he's emerging not only as a massive piece in the rebuild, but as one of the most consistent scorers in the game.
And that flow, too. Magical.
1. Mathew Barzal
| GP | G | A | P | P/PG | 5-ON-5 CF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 | 16 | 46 | 62 | 1.03 | 51.93 |
In what we have seen is a strong rookie class, Barzal has established himself as the clear favorite to win the Calder Trophy as the best first-year player of 2017-18.
It's not just the amount of points he's piling up, but the dominant manner in which he's able to do it; the New York Islanders forward has recorded three five-point games, and it's become evident that these kinds of offensive outbursts are no fluke.
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)
(Advanced stats courtesy: Corsica Hockey)
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