The 10 Most Unsung NHL Rookies in the 2015-16 Season
NHL fans know the top rookies by heart. From top draft picks such as Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers and Jack Eichel of the Buffalo Sabres to emerging talents like Shayne Gostisbehere of the Philadelphia Flyers, incredible performances have captured the imaginations of the fans since October.
Far below that group lie some names who may end up being famous players in the years to come. Unsung heroes often start as productive rookies who play secondary roles early and spike later in the year. Joonas Donskoi of the San Jose Sharks isn't famous yet, but he will be soon if he keeps performing the way is.
Here are the top 10 unsung rookies—in team alphabetical order—in the NHL this season.
Louis Domingue, G, Arizona Coyotes
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Where Did He Come From? Louis Domingue of the Arizona Coyotes was chosen in the fifth round of the 2010 draft.
What Are the Numbers? Domingue has a save percentage of .914, which ranks him No. 5 among rookie goalies who have played in 20 or more games this season. He stabilized the Coyotes' goaltending situation during what has been a trying year.
What Kind of Player Is He? He is a big goalie—6'3", 210 pounds—and has posted 20 quality starts among his 35 this season. NHL.com reported he was rookie of the month in January, and if he can deliver more consistently, he should have a productive NHL career—likely in a backup role.
Jordan Martinook, C, Arizona Coyotes
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Where Did He Come From? Jordan Martinook was drafted by the Arizona Coyotes in the second round of the 2012 draft. He played eight NHL games last season, which makes 2015-16 his rookie campaign.
What Are the Numbers? Martinook has been an effective NHL player this season, scoring nine goals and 24 points in 76 games. He also has 50 takeaways, which suggests he is a difficult player to deal with when he is chasing the puck.
What Kind of Player Is He? He projected as a checking forward based on his minor league career, and that remains his likely role. The offense he posted this year as a rookie makes him more interesting—and if he can post 30-point seasons with his aggressive style, he will hang around the NHL for quite a long time.
Jake McCabe, D, Buffalo Sabres
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Where Did He Come From? Jake McCabe was chosen No. 44 overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2012 draft.
What Are the Numbers? He has four goals and 14 points in 73 games this season. McCabe patrols the Buffalo blue line 19 minutes per night, and his possession number—via Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com—shows he is faring well compared to his Buffalo teammates.
What Kind of Player Is He? McCabe is a good skater and an effective two-way defenseman, plus he plays a rugged style. Buffalo is building a strong defensive unit around intelligent players just like him, and his early success bodes well for the future.
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Jaccob Slavin, D, Carolina Hurricanes
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Where Did He Come From? Jaccob Slavin was drafted in the fourth round of the 2012 draft by the Carolina Hurricanes.
What Are the Numbers? Slavin is an incredible story for Carolina. He is playing almost 21 minutes per night, and he is over 50 percent in possession—as a rookie. He has played 59 games and has one goal and 18 points.
What Kind of Player Is He? He is a mobile defender with size—6'2", 205 pounds—and did have some offensive success before turning pro. He displays a nice range of skills and defensive acumen, all aided by his skating ability. In this way, Slavin is the modern prototype of an NHL defender.
Mattias Janmark, C, Dallas Stars
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Where Did He Come From? Mattias Janmark was originally drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in 2013. He was dealt to the Dallas Stars at the trade deadline in 2015 and came over to North America for the AHL playoffs in the spring of 2015.
What Are the Numbers? Janmark emerged as a regular with the Stars this season, scoring 15 goals and posting 29 points in 72 games. He has not done well in the faceoff circle, but he does have 27 even-strength points.
What Kind of Player Is He? His career in the NHL will probably involve filling a variety of roles. Janmark has shown some offensive ability and can play center or wing. He is also aggressive on the forecheck. If he can improve on this year's point totals, he could emerge in more of a feature role next year.
Brandon Davidson, D, Edmonton Oilers
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Where Did He Come From? Brandon Davidson of the Edmonton Oilers was selected No. 162 overall in the 2010 draft.
What Are the Numbers? On a team badly in need of capable defenders, Davidson has emerged as a solid option. Playing over 19 capable minutes per night, he scored four goals and 11 points in 51 games. He was also well over 50 percent in possession before a lower-body injury sent him to the sidelines.
What Kind of Player Is He? Davidson is a two-way defender with good speed and a plus shot. He stands out among the young Edmonton defensemen in terms of his calm demeanor and solid decision-making in the heat of battle. As an older prospect (24), he has learned the job in the AHL and appears poised for a solid NHL career.
Joonas Donskoi, RW, San Jose Sharks
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Where Did He Come From? Joonas Donskoi of the San Jose Sharks was drafted No. 99 overall in 2010 by the Florida Panthers. He stayed in his home country of Finland until the spring of 2015 when—as a free agent—he signed with San Jose.
What Are the Numbers? Donskoi has played in 72 NHL games this year, with 11 goals and 35 points. He is playing just over 14 minutes per night for the Sharks and is effective.
What Kind of Player Is He? His calling card is skating, and he caught the eye of NHL scouts at the 2015 World Hockey Championships. At 23, he had developed in Finland and turned the corner offensively in the Sm-Liiga. Those two things were enough for San Jose to grab him, and he is flourishing as a hardworking winger with some offensive ability.
Robby Fabbri, C, St. Louis Blues
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Where Did He Come From? Robby Fabbri of the St. Louis Blues was chosen No. 21 overall in the 2014 draft.
What Are the Numbers? He has 18 goals and 37 points in 71 games this season. The amazing thing about Fabbri is that he has posted these numbers while averaging just a little over 13 minutes per night. The Blues have slow-played his deployment this season, and the lack of minutes obscures his actual offensive ability.
What Kind of Player Is He? Fabbri is a substantial offensive prospect and should be in the conversation with the famous rookies this year. As shown by Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com, he is among the Blues' best forwards at even-strength offense this year.
Philipp Grubauer, G, Washington Capitals
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Where Did He Come From? The Washington Capitals drafted Philipp Grubauer in the fourth round of the 2010 draft.
What Are the Numbers? Grubauer is ranked No. 1 in save percentage among rookie goalies with 20 or more games this season. In a rather unusual career, he appeared in three seasons before this one while still qualifying as an NHL rookie.
What Kind of Player Is He? He is an athletic goaltender—NHL teams use that player-type as the modern template—but at 6'1", 182 pounds he is slightly smaller than most of the emerging goalies. He was susceptible to high shots on his glove hand but is gaining consistency in this area.
Connor Hellebuyck, G, Winnipeg Jets
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Where Did He Come From? Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets was chosen No. 130 overall in the 2012 draft.
What Are the Numbers? He ranks No. 3 among rookie goalies in save percentage with .918—among players who have played in 20 games or more. He has also been the most effective goalie overall for the Jets this season.
What Kind of Player Is He? Hellebucyk is a consistent goaltender, going all the way back to his college career. He has 14 quality starts in 26 outings and could be the No. 1 goalie in Winnipeg as early as next season.
Advanced stats via Hockey-Reference.com and Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com.
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