Here are the sensations of the NHL’s early season – a big surprise in the points exchange

Connor Bedard has been racking up points at a fast pace in the early season. PDO

The NHL season has progressed by 13–16 games, depending on the team, and the early season has been exceptionally surprising.

Several young players have risen to the top of the league in an instant, and at the same time, the dynamics of almost the entire series has been turned on its head – at least for the early season.

In terms of clubs, the Montreal Canadiens (3rd), Pittsburgh Penguins (4th), Anaheim Ducks (5th) and Utah Mammoth (8th) can be counted among the surprises.

The Canadiens, Ducks and Mammoths have a common denominator: a brave, hungry and energetic team, where they have dared to give more responsibility to the young guard.

The exception is the Penguins, whose success is still based on an experienced body. The team’s ranks are still dominated by familiar veterans: Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, Erik Karlsson and Bryan Rust. Still, the club has managed to keep its ground in the rejuvenated NHL.

Of the aforementioned clubs, only the Canadiens reached the playoffs last season, so the current regular season ranking is a clear surprise for many.

In particular, the rise of players under the age of 22 to star roles has been the biggest topic of conversation this fall.

Young stars are taking over the NHL

If the stories of recent years have told Connor McDavid’s, by Nathan MacKinnon and by Auston Matthews from superstars like them, now they’ll be joined by a new generation ready to take the next step.

Twosome Macklin’s Celebrini and Connor Bedard has taken the entire NHL point exchange to his name. The Canadian youngsters have shown tremendous power in the early season and are currently redeeming the expectations that were already placed on their shoulders during the reservation days.

The 19-year-old Celebrini has been the soul of the San Jose Sharks’ attack and has risen to the top of the league’s scoring market with 9+14=23. His game combines a mature game vision and a rare composure, which already make him one of the most versatile attackers in the series.

Bedard, 20, on the other hand, has answered the call in Chicago after hitting 8+14=22 in 15 games. Last season, he was criticized for the shortcomings of his defensive playing, but now the plus-minus balance of +10 speaks volumes about his developed comprehensiveness.

Bedard is starting to look like the player he was touted to be for years, a true franchise star.

New names are emerging from Anaheim

The Ducks are one of the biggest sensations of the early season, and the youth guard is at the center of it.

Only 20 years old Leo Carlsson has grown into the leader of his team in no time. The Swedish center has hit 6+14=20 in 13 games and is on his way to a breakthrough season in his career.

Another of the Ducks’ young stars, Cutter Gauthieron the other hand, has made headlines with his wild scoring streak.

The 21-year-old winger has scored 11+7=18 in 13 matches, and reached the ten-goal mark after just twelve games – the first player under the age of 21 since 2018, when McDavid and Matthews achieved the same.

Gauthier leads the entire NHL scoring market with eleven goals together with Penguins legend Crosby.

Gauthier, who moved from Philadelphia to Anaheim, has immediately found his place in the new environment, and his movement and shooting power are one of the reasons why the Ducks have emerged as a genuine playoff contender.

New faces on the defensive side

Along with the attackers, the defense has also seen the rise of young people.

Colorado Avalanche Cale Makar still holds the top spot in the points exchange, but behind him in the statistics shines a name that is still quite new to many: Lane Hutson.

The 21-year-old Canadiens defender has continued from where he left off in his brilliant rookie season, recording 1+12 performances in 14 games. Hutson’s movement, confidence on the puck and bold offensive play have made him one of the most entertaining young defenders in the league.

Another emerging name is Matthew Schaeferwhich was booked as the number one name in the NHL last summer.

Only 18 years old, the defender of the New York Islanders has surprised with his maturity and immediately became one of the most talked about rookies in the series. Schaefer is tenth in the defensemen’s points market (5+6=11), but even more significant is that he leads the entire NHL defensemen’s goal market with his five hits.

The youngster has immediately taken on a big role in the Islanders’ back line as well, as he is averaging more than 22 minutes of playing time per game, which is more than any other defender in the club.