Fantasy Hockey Quasi-Early Trends and Pretends 5.0 (NHL Power Rankings)

We are just over 17% into the 2015-2016 NHL season.

Rookie watch. Much like the most recent MLB season, some of the rookies who have showcased their talent in the 17% of the season we have seen have shown us some good stuff.

1.       Aaron Eckblad won the Calder trophy last year so I went two years back to Nathan Mackinnon who won the trophy in 2014 with 63 points. Fourteen games into that season he had 9 points.

2.       Mark Stone, Johnny Gaudreau and Filip Forsberg finished in the top three last year all within one point of each other at 63 and 64 respectively. 14 games into last year: Mark Stone: 9 points, Johnny Gaudreau - 9points. Filip Forsberg - 15points

3.       So far 14(ish) games into this season: Artem Panarin - 15points, Connor McDavid - 12points, Oscar Lindberg - 11points, Max Domi - 11points, Colton Parayko - 10points, Dylan Larkin - 10points, Nikolaj Ehlers - 9points, Sam Bennett - 9points.

4.       Amongst these players I see all of them except for one exceeding 50 points. Connor will not get to 50 due to his recent injury which will have him sidelined for a few months.

5.       Highs: Artem Panarin is on a line with Patrick Kane right now. Dylan Larkin remains on the top line with Justin Abdelkader and Henrik Zetterberg (at least until later this week when Pavel Datsyuk returns). Max Domi is seeing Power Play 1 time in Arizona now.

6.       Lows: Pavel Datsyuk's return later this week could mean Dylan dropping to a lower line (but some rumors have him remaining and Abdelkader moving down which would be a HUGE plus). Oscar Lindberg continues to play on the Rangers 3^rd line. Connor McDavid's injury will defer the inevitable: Jack Eichel vs. Connor McDavid that we bestow upon Gretzky vs. Lemieux and Crosby vs. Ovechkin for another year.

7.       Sam Bennett is 14% owned. Oscar Lindberg is 27% owned. Dylan Larkin is around 50% owned. Nikolaj Ehlers is around 50% owned. Artemi Panarin is around 60% owned. Max Domi is 73% owned. Colton Parayko is around 76% owned.

8.       Nikolaj Ehlers had 101points last year in the QMJHL. 104points the year before that. Artemi had 20 points in 20 playoff KHL games last year. Dylan Larkin was thrown straight into the AHL playoffs last year where he notched 5points in 6 games played. Oscar Lindberg scored 16 points in 15 playoffs games last year after scoring 56 points during the season.  Colton Parayko put up 7 points in his first AHL 17 games last year.  Finally, Max Domi put up 102 points with the London Knights of the OHL last year.

9.       Colin Miller has 7 points (2^nd highest among rookies). He's playing on the TOP Boston line alongside Zdeno Chara. He scored 52points with the Monarchs last year and added another 10 playoff points.

10.   If you fell asleep at the wheel I saved the best for last: MIKE CONDON. Rookie goalie filling in Montreal right now. 7game started. 6 wins. 11goals against over 173 saves for a .940svpct and a 1.57GAA. He won't be in forever but should get 1-2 more starts with Carey Price out.

The great point of all of this: these guys aren't showing much of a "learning curve" just like we saw in baseball. Programs have done an increasingly better job of preparing these guys to hit the ice flying from day 1. Expect at least 2 of this crew to usurp the 63 point mark this year. I have no doubt that one or two will taper off as these paces are quite impressive but it does not hurt to put faith in rookies this year.

NHL Power Rankings

Keep your eyes on these guys too:
Frank Vatrano with a great debut:
http://www.foxsports.com/nhl/story/boston-bruins-frank-vatrano-dazzling-in-bruins-debut-110915?cmpid=feed:-sports-Fox-Deportes

Hobie Baker finalist last year:
http://blackhawkup.com/2015/10/27/chicago-blackhawks-prospect-tanner-kero-honored/

Potential helper for Toronto at some point this season?
http://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/2015/11/9/9698022/garret-sparks-honored-with-ccm-ahl-player-of-the-week