N.H.L. Enters Another Abbreviated Season

Rookies take on greater importance.

A flat salary cap, internal financial constraints and other factors will lead teams to accelerate a trend in the N.H.L.: leaning on entry-level players. A well-developed young player can become a significant contributor, or even a star, for a salary not much above the league minimum, and for up to three years.

The year’s most prominent hopefuls to win the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year include two Rangers: Alexis Lafreniére, the top selection in the 2020 draft, and Igor Shesterkin, a goaltender who debuted last season. Shesterkin has played fewer than 25 career games, so he is still classified as a rookie.

Three stars at the World Junior Championships, which became a preseason event rather than a midseason one, could make an impact as soon as this season. The German forward Tim Stützle, drafted No. 3 over all by Ottawa in 2020, and the Canadian center Dylan Cozens, selected at No. 7 in 2019 by Buffalo, dominated at the tournament. The United States won the tournament behind Trevor Zegras, the Anaheim Ducks center prospect who led the tournament in scoring and tied for the career lead in assists and points by an American.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/13/sports/hockey/2021-nhl-season-preview.html