by The impact multiple rookies are making on the NHL is one of the top stories of the 2022-23 season. Each week, NHL.com will examine topics related to this season’s class on the Rookie Watch.
This week, a look at the top six Canadian-born debutants (listed in alphabetical order):
Calen AddisonD, Minnesota Wild: A second-round pick (No. 53) by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Addison (5-foot-11, 173 pounds) leads first-year players at his rank in assists (23), points (26) and points power-play points (18, all assists) in 51 games. Minnesota controls 51.4 percent of all field goals attempted (5-on-5) when the 22-year-old right fielder is on the ice. A native of Brandon, Manitoba, he has dominated among freshmen in power play, then leading in primary assists (nine) and average ice time (3:44). He was acquired by the Wild with left wing Alex Galchenyuk and a 2021 NHL Entry Draft (Carson Lambos) in a trade to the Penguins for left wing. Jason Zucker on February 10, 2020.
Video: [email protected]: Addison scores point in 2nd
Kent JohnsonF, Columbus Blue Jackets: The #5 pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft is third among Canadian-born rookies with 26 points (11 goals, 15 assists) and second in uniform strength points (20), averaging a 13:52 all-time ice in 50 games. The 20-year-old was born in Port Moody, British Columbia and can play as a wing or centre. He had five points (one goal, four assists) in five games at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, seven points (four goals, three assists) in 10 games at the 2022 IIHF World Championships, and nine points (three goals, six assists) in seven games to help Canada win the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship in August.
Johnson, skating on a line with the center Cole Sillinger and left wing Kirill Marchenko, had 64 points (17 goals, 47 assists) in 58 games over two seasons at the University of Michigan. His 15.5 shooting percentage is first among Canadian rookies who played at least 10 games.
Video: [email protected]: Johnson points to lead
Wyatt JohnstonF, Dallas Stars: The Toronto-born forward is sixth in the rookie rankings with 23 points (13 goals, 10 assists) in 54 games and second with 29 points, six behind the American-born forward Noah Cates (Philadelphia Flyers, 35). Johnston leads all Canadian-born rookies with 11 even-strength goals and is second with 100 shots on goal, averaging 14:50 ice time as the left wing center Jamie Benn and right wing Ty Delandrea. The 19-year-old is the fourth teen to play for general manager Jim Nill since arriving in Dallas in 2013, joining Miro Heiskanen, Denis Gurianov It is Valeri Nichushkin. Considered a two-way 200-footer, the #23 pick in the 2021 draft led all Ontario Hockey League skaters with 124 points (46 goals, 78 assists) in 68 games for Windsor in 2021-22.
Video: [email protected]: Johnston puts Stars ahead on power play
Cole PerfettiF, Winnipeg Jets: He is second among Canada’s rookies with 29 points (seven goals, 22 assists) and first with 24 points (six goals) in 48 games. The No. 10 pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft is tied for fifth among Canada rookies with 19 takeaways and ranks 10th with 22 blocks. Born in Whitby, Ont., Perfetti plays frontline for the Jets at center Pierre Luc Dubois and left wing Kyle Connor, and average 14:52 ice time. The 21-year-old has bounced back this season after playing in 18 NHL games and 17 American Hockey League games last season with an upper body injury.
Video: [email protected]: Perfetti shoots PPG from an angle
power of owenD, Buffalo Sabers: Born in Mississauga, Ontario, and drafted No. 1 in the 2021 draft, Power doesn’t have the flamboyant offensive numbers like some of the others on this list, but he deserves how much he’s meant to the Sabers’ blue line this season. He leads all rookies in average ice time (23:35) and is first among Canadian-born rookie defensemen with 77 shots on goal while playing in a defensive pair with Henri Jokiharju. He is second among Canadian-born defensemen with 19 points (three goals, 16 assists) and is tied with Kaidan Guhle of the Montreal Canadiens for first with 14 points. The 20-year-old is second in blocks (57) and tied for fourth (19) among Canada’s first-year players. Buffalo controls 53.8 percent of all 5-on-5 shots attempted when Power is on ice.
Video: [email protected]: Power gives Sabers lead in Q2
Logan ThompsonG, Vegas Golden Knights: He leads rookie goalkeepers in wins (20), starts (35), shots on goal (1,093) and saves (999). Thompson is second among Canada rookies who have played at least 15 games with a . 914 save percentage and first with a 2.66 goals-against average in 36 games, but he is week to week with a lower body injury in the 5-1 win against the Wild on Thursday.
A Calgary native, Thompson is one of two rookies with at least one shutout (Pyotr Kochetkov, Carolina Hurricanes, three). The 25-year-old (6ft-4, 205lbs) was undrafted after four seasons with Brandon of the Western Hockey League and attended Brock University to play in a Canadian college league, U Sports, which offers opportunities for Canadian Hockey League. and graduates of the Canadian Junior Hockey League. He finished 18-6-0 with a 2.22 GAA and . 934 save percentage in 24 games and was named U Sports Rookie of the Year and Goaltender of the Year for 2018-19. After two seasons in the ECHL, he signed an initial two-year deal with Vegas on July 13, 2020, and then a three-year deal on January 30, 2022.
Thompson was among 15 first-time entrants into the 2023 Honda NHL All-Star Game on February 4.
Video: [email protected]: Thompson steals Palmieri at the post
