October is over and so much has changed. When one first looked at the Calder Trophy race (best rookie), it looked to be Nico Hischier versus Nolan Patrick. There was Clayton Keller as a good third choice.
However, it is clear that everything up is down again. Or is that the other way around? Keller was named the rookie of the month for October. He is not the only rookie making a statement.
The field is tough to narrow down but here are three of the players one may keep an eye on in our “Rookie Watch”.
Rookie Of The Month
Clayton Keller — Arizona Coyotes — Center
As of press time, the Arizona forward had nine goals and 15 points. Keller received top line ice time and has speed in abundance. His pickpocket effort on Nico Hischier raised, even more, eyebrows last week.
Do not look into Arizona’s record too much. Everyone has kind of knocked Keller a bit in that regard. The -9 for plus/minus does not diminish his effort so far this year. His production has been fun to watch and yet so few saw this coming. Projections were high but not this high.
It will be intriguing to see how teams focus on Keller going forward. He is playing just about 20 minutes a night currently as the center is the focal point of Arizona’s offense. Even his possession metrics are a good 4% above team relative.
There is a good chance that Keller tops 50 points and beyond. He is the current front-runner for the Calder Trophy. On the other hand, there is some considerable competition.
Mikhail Sergachev — Tampa Bay Lightning — Defenseman
Montreal was getting Jonathan Drouin and the initial thought was they won the trade. Wrong! So far, Sergachev has ten points on the young season. Drouin is sputtering in the meantime.
Also, Sergachev has produced using his myriad of shots and ability to rush the puck up the ice. His offensive zone usage is up to 70% in the early going. That may back off some. Average ice time has been a shade under 13 1/2 minutes a night.
Getting some occasional ice time with Victor Hedman has helped Sergachev in ways most cannot see. The little plays that the young defenseman has been able to make have been so important. There will be rough patches and already one or two have shown up. His production should regress but how much? That is the question.
Jesper Bratt — New Jersey Devils — Left Wing
Will Butcher and Jesper Bratt started out incredibly hot. Bratt shocked many with a couple three-point efforts on the young season. Chemistry with Taylor Hall has only aided his offensive potential. His speed is matched by his skills as far as his hands.
Furthermore, Bratt has proven to be one of New Jersey’s best penalty killers. There is this feeling that the forward can play on any line and thrive. It is incredible to think he was a sixth-round pick from 2016. His training camp turned a lot of heads even from opposing teams.
Can he continue the point production? That remains debatable but his versatility is hard to dispute. Bratt will not shoot 26.7% all year obviously. His possession metrics are a bit troubling too at 1-2% below New Jersey’s relative average. There will be dips but again the Swede can play on any line. That helps!
