The impact several rookies are making on the NHL is one of the main storylines of the 2024-25 season. Each week, NHL.com will examine topics related to this season's chapter in Rookie Watch.
This week, a look at seven impactful rookies who weren't selected in the first or second round of the NHL Draft (listed alphabetically):
Jackson BlakeRW, Carolina Hurricanes: The fourth-round pick (No. 109) in the 2021 NHL Draft has earned his spot in the lineup because of his relentless work ethic, especially in his own zone. He also provided some offensive spark, with 10 points (seven goals, three assists) in the bottom six while averaging 11:34 of ice time. Carolina has 59.5 percent of its shot attempts at 5-for-5 when Blake is on the ice. The 21-year-old right winger, the son of retired NHL forward Jason Blake, scored his first NHL goal in his third game, a 4-2 win over the New Jersey Devils on Oct. 15. Blake led the University of North Dakota in goals (22), assists (38), and points (60) as a sophomore last season, when he was a finalist for the Hobie Baker Award as the best NCAA Division I men's ice hockey player. . player.
“There are reasons why guys make the NHL quicker or quicker, or they find out they need to contribute more than just being able to pull up and put up a top corner. It's a whole game,” the Carolina captain said. Jordan Steel The athlete said. “Every little aspect helps you win, and the details are what this group does really well. He came in and did that. That's why he's here and why everyone seems to trust him.”
Isaiah GeorgeD, New York Islanders: George (6-1, 196), a fourth-round pick (No. 98) in the 2022 NHL Draft, has done enough to earn the trust of coach Patrick Roy. He was benched in a 3-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on December 10 after 10 shifts and has since been paired with Scott Mayfield. Shows poise and makes good decisions. The 20-year-old has three assists and is tied for sixth on the Islanders with 25 blocked shots in 19 games since being called up from Bridgeport of the American Hockey League on Nov. 5. He had 30 points (six goals, 24 assists). When he was an alternate captain with London for the Ontario Hockey League in 2023-24. He had 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in 18 playoff games to help the Knights to the OHL championship last season.
“As a young kid, he did a great job of keeping his feet moving,” Islanders defenseman Ryan Bullock said. “He moves with the puck. He's ready to make plays with the puck. You can see his confidence growing change after change.”
Nikolai KovalenkoRW, San Jose Sharks: The sixth-round pick (No. 171) in the 2018 NHL Draft was acquired by the Sharks in a trade with the Colorado Avalanche on December 9 that included four players and two draft picks. He is the son of retired NHL forward Andrey Kovalenko. The 25-year-old (5-10, 180), who is relentless on the puck and plays well on both ends of the ice, had eight points (four goals, four assists), 34 digs, and 13 blocked shots. , eight steals while averaging 12:00 ice time in 28 games with Colorado; He has four assists and is averaging 12:07 of ice time in three games with San Jose. He's also taken eight penalties this season, more than a Sharks rookie McLean Celebrini (seven). Kovalenko played for Torpedo of the Continental Hockey League before arriving in North America, where he had 35 points (11 goals, 24 assists) in 42 games last season before joining Colorado of the American Hockey League, where he had three points (1 goal). . ) in four matches.
Victor ManciniD, New York Rangers: Mancini has been a useful piece in a third pairing role with five points (one goal, four assists) in 15 NHL games. He tied for seventh on the Rangers with 20 blocked shots and averaged 15:05 of ice time. Selected in the fifth round (No. 159) of the 2022 draft, the 22-year-old played three seasons at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, where he had 10 points (four goals, six assists) and 78 steals in 40 games. Games as juniors in 2023-24. Mancini was named NCHC Academic All-Conference and an outstanding scholar at Nebraska-Omaha in 2022-23. The player, who appears mature beyond his years, signed a two-year contract with Rangers on April 2.
“It's about his skating, his size, his balance with the puck,” New York coach Peter Laviolette said. “He plays a physical game within his own element. He's big and tough to play against. He does the right things with the puck and is very coachable.”
2024-12-16 14:06:42
