Rookie Watch: Canucks' Hughes best in Pacific Division

The play of several high-profile rookies, including forwards Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils and Kaapo Kakko of the New York Rangers, the No. 1 and No. 2 picks of the 2019 NHL Draft, respectively, is one of the major storylines of the 2019-20 season. Each Monday, NHL.com will examine topics related to this season's class in the Rookie Watch.
With the NHL pausing the 2019-20 regular season on March 12 due to concerns about the coronavirus, we continue our look at the top NHL rookies in each division. This week, the top six in the Pacific Division (player ranking on Nov. 25 in parentheses after team):

1. Quinn Hughes, D, Vancouver Canucks (1): The No. 7 pick in the 2018 NHL Draft leads rookies in assists (45), points (53) and power-play points (25) in 68 games. The 20-year-old ranks second on the Canucks in average ice time (21:53) and sixth in takeaways (35). Vancouver controls 52.5 percent of all shots attempted when he's on the ice.
"I think he's handled the part of being a pro well and I'm not surprised by that," said University of Michigan coach Mel Pearson, who coached Hughes for two seasons there (2017-19). "You have to find ways to make sure you're taking care of yourself so when the game comes around, you can perform, and boy, has he performed. What Quinn has done, in a hockey market like Vancouver, with the pressure, and with a young team like that, he's got my vote for Rookie of the Year."

2. Ethan Bear, D, Edmonton Oilers (2): The fifth-round pick (No. 124) in the 2015 NHL Draft leads rookies in average ice time (21:58) and has 21 points (five goals, 16 assists) and 99 shots on goal in 71 games. The 22-year-old right-hand shot ranks first among Pacific Division rookies with 106 blocked shots and 44 takeaways.
"He trained like a true pro [last] summer, and I think he's really reaping the benefits now," Oilers forward Zack Kassian told CBC Sports. "He's really engaged and is a driven, driven kid. He's excited to be here."
3. Blake Lizotte, C, Los Angeles Kings (6): The 21-year-old from Lindstrom, Minnesota, signed a three-year, entry-level contract April 2 after two seasons at St. Cloud State University of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference. He ranks second among rookies in the division with 23 points (six goals, 17 assists), leads with two shorthanded goals and 19 penalties drawn and is fourth in takeaways (22) in 65 games.
"It doesn't matter what team he's on, coaches are going to talk about his commitment to the game and team," Kings coach Todd McLellan said. "He's quick, turns on a dime. He doesn't have a lot of offense yet and I think that can come. But the fact he can pester good players and make it hard on them is something we relish."

4. Sam Steel, F, Anaheim Ducks (4): The 22-year-old is third among rookie scorers in the division with 22 points (six goals, 16 assists) in 65 games, first among first-year forwards in the division in ice time (15:33) and takeaways (25) and second in blocked shots (25). The No. 30 pick in the 2016 NHL Draft leads rookies in the division with a 50.3 face-off winning percentage (369-for-734), including 50.5 percent (333-for-660) at even strength.
"He's doing a lot of little things well right now and I think he fully understands this League is a different beast than anything that he's had to go through before," Ducks coach Dallas Eakins said. "The one thing I'll say is when you give him something, he tries to implement it right away. I think he's his best teacher and takes great pride in the details."
5. Matt Roy, D, Los Angeles Kings (NR): The right-hand shot, chosen in the seventh round (No. 194) of the 2015 draft, is first on the Kings with 100 blocked shots and first among rookies with 132 hits. The 25-year-old leads rookies in the division at plus-16, is second in shots on goals (112) in 70 games and has 18 points (four goals, 14 assists) averaging 18:07 in ice time in a top-four role. He played three seasons at Michigan Tech (2014-17) before his first full professional season in the American Hockey League with Ontario in 2017-18.
"Obviously, you hope all your draft picks turn out to be NHLers, but the analytics show which players generally make it," Kings director of player personnel Nelson Emerson told the Los Angeles Times. "The fact that Matty was drafted in the seventh round in 2015, and now he's doing what he is ... this is excellent."
6. Thatcher Demko, G, Vancouver Canucks (5):The 24-year-old, selected in the second round (No. 36) of the 2014 NHL Draft, ranks third among all rookie goalies in saves (744) and shots against (822). He's 13-10-2 with a 3.06 goals-against average and .905 save percentage in 27 games (25 starts).
RELATED: [Top rookies in the Atlantic Division | Top rookies in the Central Division]

Head to Head comparison

Who has been the top rookie forward in the NHL this season? Though there might be several to consider, it would appear Dominik Kubalik of the Chicago Blackhawks and Victor Olofsson of the Buffalo Sabres each top the list after making huge contributions.

Dominik Kubalik, F, Chicago Blackhawks

Games: 68
G-A-P: 30-16-46
Shots on goal: 157
Average ice time:14:22
Telling stat: Leads all NHL rookies with 38 even-strength points (26 goals, 12 assists).

Victor Olofsson, F, Buffalo Sabres

Games: 54
G-A-P: 20-22-42
Shots on goal: 127
Average ice time: 18:23
Telling stat: Leads all NHL rookies with 11 power-play goals; is first among first-year forwards with a 0.78 points-per game average.

Morreale's Calder Trophy frontrunners

1. Cale Makar, D, Colorado Avalanche:Leads rookies in points per game (0.88) with at least five games played, and all rookie defensemen in goals (12), power-play goals (four) and even-strength goals (eight).
2. Quinn Hughes, D, Vancouver Canucks:Ranks first among rookies with 53 points (eight goals, 45 assists) and 25 power-play points (three goals, 22 assists) in 68 games.
3. Dominik Kubalik, F, Chicago Blackhawks: Ranks first among rookies with 30 goals and 157 shots on goal and is third with 46 points in 68 games.