NHL Rookies To Watch This Past 2023-2024 Season

The 2024 NHL season introduced a wave of fresh talent, with rookies stepping into major roles across the league. These new faces have brought a blend of skill, energy, and determination, revitalizing their teams and making significant contributions. The playoffs showcased these rookies’ abilities under pressure, proving that they can compete at the highest level. This year’s crop of rookies has been exceptional, and their performances have set the stage for promising careers in the NHL. Here’s a detailed analysis of the Top 10 Best NHL rookies right now, each making significant impacts on their respective teams based on their performance throughout the playoffs and regular season.

Honorable Mention

Dmitri Voronkov

Team: Columbus Blue Jackets

Previous Ranking: 10

Left wing Dmitri Voronkov transitioned smoothly to the NHL, bringing physicality and scoring touch to the Blue Jackets. In his 75 games, Voronkov registered 18 goals and 16 assists, including six power-play goals.

His gritty style and offensive contributions made him a valuable asset for Columbus, particularly in high-pressure situations where his robust play along the boards was essential.

Top 10 NHL Rookies 2024 Rankings

10. Joseph Woll

Team: Toronto Maple Leafs

Previous Ranking: Honorale Mention

Joseph Woll had a breakthrough season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, finally solidifying his role as a reliable goaltender after making sporadic appearances in the previous two seasons.

His steady play between the pipes gave the Leafs much-needed confidence in their goaltending future.

Woll’s consistency and calm demeanor under pressure were crucial in several key games, earning him praise and an expanding role as he continues to refine his skills. He even made three appearances in the playoffs and finished with only two goals allowed and a .964 save percentage.

9. Samuel Ersson

Team: Philadelphia Flyers

Previous Ranking: 8

Samuel Ersson stepped up as a rookie goaltender for the Philadelphia Flyers, demonstrating flashes of brilliance in his first full season.

His reflexes and composure under pressure kept the Flyers competitive in tightly contested games. Ersson’s ability to make key saves and his top 20 W-L-OTL record, including four shutouts, showcased his potential as a future star in the league.

8. Pyotr Kochetkov

Team: Carolina Hurricanes

Previous Ranking: 9

Pyotr Kochetkov emerged as a promising young goaltender for the Carolina Hurricanes, showcasing agility and technical skill beyond his years. Kochetkov’s reliability in critical moments was evident, as he compiled a 23-13-4 record with four shutouts.

His performances throughout the season and playoffs suggest a bright future as he continues to develop his game at the highest level. In his sole postseason appearance against the New York Rangers, he held his own in a tough 3-2 OT loss, finishing with 22 saves.

7. Leo Carlsson

Team: Anaheim Ducks

Previous Ranking: 7

Leo Carlsson made an immediate impact with the Anaheim Ducks, utilizing his size and skill to become a prominent forward. At just 19, Carlsson’s offensive awareness and puck protection led to significant contributions, resulting in a 29-point season. His promising rookie campaign suggests a bright future as he looks to build on his strong start.

6. Connor Zary

Team: Calgary Flames

Previous Ranking: 6

Connor Zary proved to be a reliable scorer for the Calgary Flames, displaying a keen sense for being in the right place at the right time. His scoring touch and ability to finish plays were vital for Calgary, contributing 14 goals and 20 assists in 63 games. Zary’s development in the minors paid off, establishing him as a future cornerstone for the Flames.

5. Logan Cooley

Team: Arizona Coyotes

Previous Ranking: 4

Logan Cooley brought speed and creativity to the Arizona Coyotes, becoming a constant offensive threat. His agility and puck-handling skills were evident in his 13 power-play points, including 10 assists.

Cooley’s development over the season saw him take on more responsibilities, and his impact in special teams play and game-winning goals highlighted his potential as a future star.

4. Marco Rossi

Team: Minnesota Wild

Previous Ranking: 5

Marco Rossi adapted quickly to the NHL, showcasing his playmaking skills and high hockey IQ. Centering a top line for the Wild, facilitating plays and displaying a high hockey IQ that belies his rookie status.

Rossi scored 21 goals and added 19 assists, becoming a key component of their offense. His ability to facilitate plays and his top 10 penalty minutes among rookies highlight his aggressive style and potential for future success.

3. Luke Hughes

Team: New Jersey Devils

Previous Ranking: 3

Defenseman Luke Hughes has made an impressive transition to the NHL, quickly establishing himself as a crucial component of the Devils’ defensive lineup. His exceptional skating ability and offensive skills have significantly bolstered his team’s performance.

Hughes’ dual-threat capability has made him an invaluable asset. Over the season, Hughes managed to score nine goals and recorded an impressive 38 assists, the second highest among rookies, only one behind the top rookies on this list.

As the 2020 fourth-overall pick, Hughes has shown immense potential and is expected to have a bright future ahead. His goal is to continue his successful career in New Jersey, where he aims to play alongside his brother, Jack Hughes, forming a formidable sibling duo on the team.

2. Brock Faber

Team: Minnesota Wild 

Previous Ranking: 2

Brock Faber has been a steadying force on the blue line for the Minnesota Wild, excelling in his role as a top-pairing defenseman. Renowned for his composure and defensive acumen, Faber’s impact has been significant throughout the season.

Playing in all 82 games, he demonstrated remarkable endurance and consistency, leading all rookies in ice time and ranking fifth overall in the NHL. Faber’s performances have cemented his status as a key player for Minnesota’s future, showcasing his potential to be a mainstay on their blue line for years to come.

His poise under pressure and strong defensive skills have solidified the Wild’s defensive unit and set a high standard for rookie defensemen across the league. As he continues to develop, Faber is poised to become a significant influence on the team’s success moving forward.

1. Connor Bedard

Team: Chicago Blackhawks

Previous Ranking: 1

As the 2023 first overall pick, Connor Bedard has not disappointed, quickly becoming the centerpiece of the Blackhawks’ rebuild.

Connor Bedard has fully justified the hype surrounding his selection as the first overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, swiftly establishing himself as the linchpin of the Chicago Blackhawks’ rebuilding efforts.

His extraordinary accuracy when shooting and his intuitive grasp of the game have propelled him to the forefront among rookies, leading in both goals and total points. Bedard’s impact on the ice has been transformative, significantly enhancing the performance of his teammates and marking him as an undeniable standout.

His exceptional array of skills and his profound influence on the game underscore his position as the premier rookie of the year and herald his future as a superstar in the NHL.

How would you rank the best NHL Rookies of the 2023-2024 season? Rank below to be added in the NHL Power Rankings.

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