Top 10 NHL Rookies – March 2022 Rankings

Ranking the best NHL Rookies deserving of the Calder Trophy so far in the 2021-2022 NHL season. Michael Bunting leads the way in the NHL Rookie Ladder for this month of March

By fan rankings | March 21, 2022

The NHL draft provides new superstar power every year. The rookies come from different backgrounds and many of them have professional experience when they join the NHL. Some of them are capable of making a difference right away in getting a superstar status from the very beginning.

Here are the top 10 rookies of the 2021-2022 season who are frontrunners for the Calder Memorial Trophy.

Honorable Mention

Alex Newhook

Team: Colorado Avalanche

Jamie Drysdale

Team: Anaheim Ducks

Top 10 NHL Rookies

10. Seth Jarvis

Team: Carolina Hurricanes

Seth Jarvis has had injury problems in his rookie season but has already made an impact with the Carolina Hurricanes. Playing on a title contender has taken its toll regarding his minutes but he is building a winning mentality from the very start of his career.

9. Cole Caufield

Team: Montreal Canadiens

Another young player who is developing well with the Montreal Canadiens is Cole Caufield. His work ethic and attitude are what make him stand out despite his small body frame. Caufield has seen limited time at the beginning of the season but has made his way up in the rotation.

8. Vasily Podkolzin

Team: Vancouver Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks are not having their best season so far but if there is something they can be excited about, that’s definitely Vasily Podkolzin. The 20-year-old Russian has shown major improvement since the beginning of the season and besides the slow adaptation to Vancouver has proven that will be a valuable asset in their fight for the playoffs this season.

7. Tanner Jeannot

Team: Nashville Predators

Tanner Jeannot is leading all rookies by far in penalty minutes and has a solid 33 points for the Nashville Predators which ranks him seventh among all rookies. He is a regular in the Predators lineup from the very beginning of the season and has had a chance to have an overtime goal already.

6. Dawson Mercer

Team: New Jersey Devils

Dawson Mercer has just turned this season and is taking full benefit of the Devils current situation. The Team is out of the playoff conversation and Mercer is expanding his role with the team. He is ranked sixth among the rookies with 34 points.

5. Anton Lundell

Team: Florida Panthers

Anton Lundell has found his place in one of the best teams this season – the Florida Panthers. The young Finish has 14 goals so far in the season with the star-packed Panthers and will have a chance to make an impact in the playoffs in his very first season.

4. Moritz Seider

Team: Detroit Red Wings

The best young German player since Leon Draisaitl, Seider is making an impact in his first season in Detroit. The Red Wings are not having their best season but the good thing is that Seider is getting a lot of playing time which is great for his development. He is already among the top 30 players with 29 assists so far in the season.

3. Trevor Zegras

Team: Anaheim Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks see Zegras as their future star and the 20-year-old has shown potential to meet the expectations. The 20-year-old still doesn’t have a NHL-ready body but his progress is obvious night in and night out. He is the fourth-best rookie with 16 goals so far in the season.

2. Lucas Raymond

Team: Detroit Red Wings

Being only 19-years-old Lucas Raymond is definitely the new big thing in the NHL. The Swed is having an amazing rookie season with the Detroit Red Wings and is one of the key players that still keep the Wings in the playoff conversation as he is the third-best scorer on the team.

1. Michael Bunting

Team: Toronto Maple Leafs

Michael Bunting has emerged as one of the key players of the Toronto Maple Leafs despite the fact that he plays alongside the best scorer in the league Auston Matthews. Bunting has shown a high level of maturity in his game and leads all rookies in both goals and assists.

How would you rank these National Hockey League rookies so far in the 2021-2022 season? Rank below to be added in the Power Rankings and to have a chance to win a gift card to LAZADA, Amazon, Fanatics.com, or more that is specific to you. Join the contest by ranking below.