CBSSports.com: Max Domi, Anthony Duclair among NHL’s top rookies
Mar 19, 2016, 3:05 PM
Arizona Coyotes' Anthony Duclair, front, smiles as he goes to celebrate a goal scored by Michael Stone against San Jose Sharks' Martin Jones, left, as Sharks' Justin Braun, right, looks on during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, March 17, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
The Arizona Coyotes have two players on the latest list of top rookies in the NHL, according CBS Sports’ Chris Peters.
Peters ranks Coyotes’ left-winger Max Domi as the fifth best rookie, calling it a close debate between Domi and Detroit Red Wings rookie Dylan Larkin. Peters said that neither has been overly-incredible the last month after having tremendous performances prior.
In the end, Domi’s edge in total points this season gave him the advantage here. He is third in rookie scoring with 45 points so far this season. It’s never surprising to see rookies trail off towards the end of the year and the Coyotes’ drop in team performance certainly didn’t help either. There’s no question he’s going to be a great pro, but it’s looking less likely that Domi ends up in the Calder conversation by year’s end.
Through 69 games, Domi has scored 17 goals with 28 assists and 45 points.
Joining Domi on Peters’ rankings is fellow left-winger Anthony Duclair, who is 17-20-37 through 69 games.
Like Domi and Larkin, Duclair has seen his numbers dip in the latter stages of the season. He has seven points over the last month, but has gone long stretches between games with a point. He is now seventh in rookie scoring as Connor McDavid has passed him despite playing 33 fewer games. Despite the downward trend in the late stages of the season, Coyotes fans can keep dreaming about the future of a forward corps led by Domi and Duclair.
Peters has Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere as the top rookie. His 0.76 points per game marks the best scoring rate for a defenseman since 1992-93.
