MOST IMPACTFUL ROOKIES : TOP 5

Jared Rotenberg

5. Lucas Raymond, Forward (Right-Wing), Detroit Red Wings

Considering that this player is currently sitting within the top three in rookie scoring this season, this placement may be somewhat shocking, however in 5th place in terms of the most impactful rookies, I have right winger Lucas Raymond of the Detroit Red Wings. Raymond has 23 goals, 33 assists, for a total of 56 points in the 81 games he’s played so far this season. While he has been absolutely phenomenal this season, showing immense flashes of skill while playing on the Red Wings first line, it is the struggles of the team that holds him to this position on my list.

He is a great offensive player with quick hands, a great shot, and phenomenal playmaking ability, and his success has been displayed both 5-on-5 and on the first powerplay unit. However, with his offense failing to contribute to much success, and with the great seasons that others in this rookie class are putting up, he ultimately falls on my list. Still with this being said I would not be shocked if he is a nominee for the Calder trophy, and he absolutely does have a very bright future ahead (as do many of the players on this list).

4. Tanner Jeannot, Forward (Left-Wing), Nashville Predators

Sitting just outside of the top 3, we have the undrafted left winger of the Nashville Predators, Tanner Jeannot. Despite sitting sixth place in rookie points, Jeannot leads all rookies in goals with 24. Along with his goals, he has 17 assists for a total of 41 points in the 80 games he’s played so far this season. Jeannot has been absolutely phenomenal this season filling many different roles for the Nashville Predators who have fought their way into a playoff spot in the competitive Central Division.

He currently sits on the third line, where he has been scoring goals in bunches while also providing them with physicality and grit. Jeannot, much like other rookies on this list, plays on the Nashville Predators second powerplay unit. What sets Jeannot apart from most other rookies on this list revolves around the fact that he plays a prominent role on the team’s penalty kill. His success on the overachieving Nashville Predators and the multiple roles he plays on this team is the reason that I consider him the 4th most impactful rookie this season.

3. Trevor Zegras, Forward (Center), Anaheim Ducks

In 3rd place on the most impactful rookies list, and the first player that I believe will be a nominee for the Calder Memorial Trophy, I have Trevor Zegras of the Anaheim Ducks. Zegras has been one of the most creative players in the National Hockey League this season, single-handedly inserting a burst of fun and a breath of fresh air into the rebuilding Ducks roster. This season Zegras currently sits second in rookie scoring with 23 goals, 37 assists for a total of 60 points in the 74 games he’s played.

He's been a key part of the Ducks top 6 this season, centering their second line and being a component on their first powerplay unit. He may not be the strongest defensive player, but he is absolutely incredible offensively with some of the quickest hands in the National Hockey League, and the immediate influence that he has had on the Anaheim Ducks young roster has led me to deem him the 3rd most impactful rookie of this season.

2. Michael Bunting, Forward (Left-Wing), Toronto Maple Leafs

The runner-up in regards to the most impactful rookies this season is 26 year old forward Michael Bunting of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who does in fact fit the qualifications of rookie and is most certainly eligible for the Calder trophy. This season Bunting leads all rookies with 23 goals, 40 assists for a total of 63 points. Bunting's hard working demeanor, and immense offensive production this season has led him to be rewarded with a spot on the Toronto Maple Leafs first line alongside the likes of Mitchell Marner and Auston Matthews. While playing with these players does certainly inflate his stat totals, his hard work to earn a spot next to these players cannot be ignored.

While on a line with these superstars, he has been the player providing the physicality and getting under the skin of opposing players, a very valuable quality to have. Bunting plays a fearless style, is incredibly strong defensively and in puck battles, and as well has been a phenomenal complimentary piece to the stars within the Leafs lineup. He has been extremely impactful in filling the role left vacant by the departure of Zach Hyman last offseason. He has been amazing at both 5-on-5 and on the Leafs second powerplay unit, and with his offensive ability and gritty play, Bunting must be declared as the second most impactful rookie in the NHL this season, and the runner-up for the Calder trophy in my opinion.

1. Moritz Seider, Defenseman, Detroit Red Wings

Last but most certainly not least, in first place, my pick for the most impactful rookie as well as my selection for the Calder Memorial Trophy, we have rookie defenseman from the Detroit Red Wings, Moritz Seider. Seider is the only defenseman on this list, and his impact on the back end of the rebuilding Detroit Red Wings has made him the most impactful rookie this season in my opinion with both his defensive and offensive success. Seider currently sits fourth in rookie scoring with 6 goals, 43 assists for a total of 49 points in the 81 games he’s played so far this season. In just his first season with the team, he has immediately become the best and most impactful defenseman on the team.

He is the first pairing right defenseman on the Red Wings, is the defenseman on the first powerplay unit, as well as he is also on the Red Wings first penalty kill. At just 21 years old, he leads the entire Red Wings roster in time on ice per game with an average of 23 minutes and 4 seconds per night, proving just how impactful he is to their team. Now, there is a valid argument that detracts from Seider being the most impactful rookie, and this of course is the fact that the Red Wings currently sit 25th place in the entire NHL, with only 31 wins and 72 points in the 81 games they’ve played so far this season. Still, despite the fact that the Red Wings are still a rebuilding team who are not yet very good, the fact that a rookie player is relied on so heavily in so many different areas of the ice leads me to declare him as the most impactful rookie of the 2021-22 season, and thus my prediction to walk away with the Calder by the time the NHL awards roll around this June.