NHL rookies to watch in 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs

With the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs starting Monday, NHL.com takes a look at 11 rookies who could have a big impact in the postseason.

Matt Boldy not only set a Minnesota Wild record for most points by a rookie in a game this season, but he was an offensive catalyst down the stretch to help the club qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The 21-year-old forward finished the season with 39 points (15 goals, 24 assists) in 47 games. He's been the NHL rookie scoring leader since March 29 with 15 points (three goals, 12 assists) in his final 14 regular-season games, and was first among rookies with an average of 0.83 points per game (minimum 10 games) this season. Boldy had four points (three goals, one assist) in a 7-4 win against the Detroit Red Wings on Feb. 14 to set the Minnesota record for most points by a rookie in a game.
Boldy hopes to continue his offensive magic and join rookies who have played a significant role in a championship season. The list includes forward Brad Marchand (19 points; 11 goals, eight assists in 25 games) for the Boston Bruins in 2011; forward Tyler Toffoli (14 points; seven goals, seven assists in 26 games) for the Los Angeles Kings in 2014; forward Jake Guentzel (21 points; 13 goals, eight assists in 25 games) for the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2017; goalie Jordan Binnington (16-10, 2.46 goals-against average, .914 save percentage in 26 games) for the St. Louis Blues in 2019; and forward Ross Colton (six points; four goals, two assists in 23 games) for the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2021.
Here are the rookies to watch in the playoffs:
Matt Boldy, F, Minnesota Wild: Boldy became the fourth rookie in Wild history to score three goals in one game, joining Justin Fontaine (Jan. 9, 2014), Kirill Kaprizov (March 12, 2021) and Rem Pitlick (Nov. 13, 2021). Boldy scored a goal and had four shots on goal in his NHL debut, a 3-2 win at the Bruins on Jan. 6. He averaged 15:23 of ice time per game this season and earned a top-six role.
Michael Bunting, F, Toronto Maple Leafs: The 26-year-old left wing did not play in the final three regular-season games because of a lower-body injury but is expected to be ready for the playoffs. He led NHL rookies with 63 points (23 goals, 40 assists), 58 even-strength points and 45 penalties drawn, and was sixth with 36 takeaways in 79 games. Bunting played on Toronto's top line with Auston Matthews and Mitchell Marner and averaged 15:33 of ice time per game.
He finished second in informal voting among 17 NHL.com writers
for the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year with 57 points (one first-place vote).
Alexandre Carrier, D, Nashville Predators: The 25-year-old averaged 20:59 of ice time in 77 games, was third among rookie defensemen with 27 assists and 30 points, and tied for third with 124 blocked shots (Jake Middleton, Wild). Carrier had two assists and 16 shots on goal in six postseason games with the Predators last season.
Sean Durzi, D, Los Angeles Kings:Durzi scored 27 points (three goals, 24 assists) -- the most points by a Kings rookie defenseman since Drew Doughty scored 27 (six goals, 21 assists) in 2008-09 -- and averaged 19:36 of ice time in 64 games. The 23-year-old ranked fourth among rookies with 15 power-play points (two goals, 13 assists) and was fifth with 121 blocked shots.
Martin Fehervary, D, Washington Capitals: Fehervary was second among rookies with 251 hits in 79 games, behind forward Tanner Jeannot of the Nashville Predators (318). He averaged 19:39 of ice time with a plus-15 rating and played on the top pair with John Carlson. The 22-year-old scored 17 points (eight goals, nine assists) and was sixth among rookies with 117 blocked shots. He averaged 1:47 of shorthanded ice time per game, third among Capitals defensemen.
Seth Jarvis, F, Carolina Hurricanes: The 20-year-old ranked ninth among rookies with 40 points (17 goals, 23 assists) in 68 games playing right wing on a line with center Sebastian Aho and left wing Andrei Svechnikov. He was eighth among rookies with 34 even-strength points (15 goals, 29 assists) and fourth in shooting percentage (15.5 percent; minimum 20 games played). Jarvis, who averaged 13:53 of ice time, finished the regular season with a seven-game point streak (three goals, four assists). Three other rookies in Hurricanes/Harford Whalers history had a streak that long (Ron Francis, 1981-82; Sylvain Turgeon, 1983-84; Scott Young, 1988-89).
Tanner Jeannot, F, Nashville Predators: The 24-year-old left wing gets to the net and is physical. He led rookies with 24 goals and 318 hits, and was first among rookie forwards with 64 blocked shots in 81 games. He tied three players for the rookie lead in game-winning goals (five) and tied Trevor Zegras of the Anaheim Ducks for second with in penalties drawn (28), behind Bunting. Jeannot, who was undrafted, was eighth among rookies with 41 points and averaged 15:59 of ice time.
Arthur Kaliyev, F, Los Angeles Kings: Among rookies, the 20-year old was first with 194 shots on goal, second to Zegras with six power-play goals and tied for 12th with
Vasily Podkolzin
of the Vancouver Canucks with 14 goals in 80 games. His 27 points tied Durzi for the Kings rookie lead, and he averaged 12:39 of ice time. Los Angeles controlled 58.5 percent of shot attempts at 5-on-5 with Kaliyev on the ice.
Anton Lundell, F, Florida Panthers: The 20-year-old ranked fifth among rookies with 44 points (18 goals, 26 assists) in 65 games and was second among rookie forwards with 56 blocked shots, behind Jeannot. Lundell finished fifth among rookies in face-off winning percentage (44.7 percent; minimum 400 attempts), and was second in face-off attempts (748) and wins (334), behind Cole Sillinger (779 face-offs, 362 wins) of the Columbus Blue Jackets in each category. The prototypical two-way forward was first among rookies with 59 takeaways and averaged 15:44 of ice time.
Alex Newhook, F, Colorado Avalanche:Newhook was 11th among rookie forwards with 33 points (13 goals, 20 assists) in 71 games. The 21-year-old tied four Avalanche players for second with five game-winning goals and averaged 13:34 of ice time, playing left wing or center in a top-nine role.
Jeremy Swayman, G, Boston Bruins:The 23-year-old led rookie goalies in wins (23) and goals-against average (2.41; minimum five games). He had a .914 save percentage with three shutouts in 41 games (39 starts). Swayman went 15-7-1 with a 2.46 GAA, .913 save percentage, and two shutouts in 23 games (22 starts) after Tuukka Rask retired Feb. 10 following complications from surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right hip. He finished fourth in the NHL.com voting for the Calder Trophy with 24 points.