Sam Steel, ANA -- The Ducks center leads all rookie forwards in time on ice per game (16:47) and in defensive zone face-off wins (9). Steel has no points through the first week of the NHL season but his 5-on-5 zone starts percentage (41.38) shows that he is starting in the defensive zone nearly 60% of his shifts, an indicator that he is relied upon to play a two-way game.
Antti Suomela, SJS -- The San Jose Sharks center leads rookie skaters in 5-on-5 shot attempts percentage with 78.05 and is third among all NHL skaters in shot attempts (46). He ranks fifth in face-off wins among rookies (14) and tied for third in shots on goal (10). If Suomela continues to drive possession, he could see an increase in ice time from his 10:56 per game.
Andrei Svechnikov, CAR --The Hurricanes right wing is one of three rookie forwards to be playing at a point per game pace or better (minimum three games). He ranks tied for fifth in shots on goal (7), fifth in goals per 60 (2.51) and sixth in assists per 60 (2.51) among rookie forwards. Svechnikov is producing despite playing 11:56 per game (38th among rookies).
Brady Tkachuk, OTT -- The Ottawa Senators left wing missed the first two games of the season with a lower-body injury. Despite missing time, he ranks first in goals per 60 (4.24) and fourth in 5-on-5 shot attempts (10) among rookie forwards. He ranks 10th among rookie forwards in time on ice per game (14:09) and is skating on the top line with center Matt Duchene and wing Mikkel Boedker.