NHL Rookies Cementing a Roster Spot Early in 2014-15 Season
2014 first overall pick Aaron Ekblad is one of the most highly touted rookies in this year's freshman class at the NHL level. He's played key minutes early in Florida, and the state of the blue line means he isn't going anywhere else anytime soon.
What other rookies are looking like they belong early in this 2014-15 NHL campaign? The following slideshow looks at some of the most impressive starts from NHL rookies. We break down not just what they've done, but what their role is on their teams and where they project as the season continues.
Read on to see which players are making a good first impression.
Andre Burakovsky, Washington Capitals
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Where he's playing: Burakovsky is centering Washington's second offensive line, between Brooks Laich and Marcus Johansson. He's also getting power-play time as a regular part of the second unit. He's producing offence in the role, with four points through three games.
Where he fits long-term: As long as the scoring keeps up, there's no reason Burakovsky can't stay all year. He'll be pushed by fellow rookie Evgeny Kuznetsov, but with the Nicklas Backstom/Alex Ovechkin duo taking on heavy minutes and Jason Chimera/Joel Ward anchoring a tough assignments line, there's a spot here for a capable rookie.
Anthony Duclair, New York Rangers
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Where he's playing: Injuries have forced some creativity in New York, where Martin St. Louis is centering the Rangers' top line, flanked on one side by veteran scorer Rick Nash and on the other by Duclair. Duclair's also getting power-play time, and while none of his six shots have resulted in goals he does have three helpers.
Where he fits long-term: Duclair's top-line days are likely limited; at some point the Rangers will get healthy down the middle and then he'll be shifted down the lineup. But Alain Vigneault is famous for running three offensive lines and, with the way Duclair as performed so far, he's bound to find a home on one of them.
Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators
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Where he's playing: Forsberg has been playing on the Predators' second line, alongside Derek Roy and Craig Smith, as well as picking up power-play duties. He's presently tied for the team lead with four points through three games.
Where he fits long-term: As much as Forsberg is having success where he is, it's entirely possible he won't stay there. Nashville's top line, centered by Mike Ribeiro and featuring James Neal, is struggling to score, and that might result in an elevation for the young winger.
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Tanner Pearson, Los Angeles Kings
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Where he's playing: There doesn't seem to be a commentator in the NHL who doesn't like saying "That '70's Line" in reference to Pearson, Jeff Carter and Tyler Toffoli. It's a unit that was incredibly effective in the 2014 postseason and has continued to show well. Pearson is getting spot duty on both special teams and leads the Kings with six points.
Where he fits long-term: That line was incredibly successful in the Kings' 2014 Stanley Cup win; there's no reason to expect Darryl Sutter to move away from it.
Stuart Percy, Toronto Maple Leafs
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Where he's playing: Percy is averaging better than 21 minutes per game, which includes time in all situations. At evens he's on the Leafs' second pairing with Roman Polak, but he's also getting regular shifts on the power play and penalty kill.
Where he fits long-term: It's a little surprising to see Percy in such a prominent role at such a young age (he only turned 21 in May), but as long as Percy plays the way he has to date it's hard to slide him down the lineup. A job on the third pairing at some point in the season wouldn't surprise, however.
Damon Severson, New Jersey Devils
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Where he's playing: Severson has the best in mentors, playing alongside the hugely underappreciated Andy Greene in the Devils' top four. On balance, he's the team's fifth defenceman at the moment, averaging roughly 19 minutes per night and playing in all situations.
Where he fits long-term: Severson's impressive showing early makes things harder on the Devils. It would have been easy to demote him if he showed poorly, given the presence of Adam Larsson on the roster, but instead Severson's pushing hard to stay for the season.
Chris Terry, Carolina Hurricanes
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Where he's playing: Terry has been largely confined to the fourth line, alongside defensive centre Jay McClement and most recently winger Zach Boychuk. He's had some scraps of power-play time but ranks dead last among forwards in even-strength ice time at just over nine minutes per game. Despite this, he's managed two goals and an assist.
Where he fits long-term: Carolina has decent depth on the wings, but this is also a team that looks like a possible contender for last place in the NHL. Terry's start has earned him a longer look, and if he keeps scoring he'll move up the lines eventually.
Dustin Tokarski, Montreal Canadiens
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Where he's playing: Tokarski seemed like a lock for the Montreal backup job since last year's playoffs when the coach opted to start him over veteran Peter Budaj after an injury felled starter Carey Price. The Habs eventually moved Budaj out of town and installed Tokarski in the job full-time.
Where he fits long-term: It's really early, but nothing Tokarski has done so far indicates he's a bad fit for his current tole. He won his lone start, turning aside 29 of 30 shots against Washington. There's no chance he usurps Price, though.
Statistics via NaturalStatTrick.com and NHL.com.
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