Welcome back to The Journey, where we track the development of prospects as they excel in junior, make the NHL, and push towards stardom.

****

We have hit the quarter mark of the NHL season, and things are starting to take shape. Teams are beginning to show their true colors, some are stepping up as legitimate contenders, while others are stuck in the middle, fighting for a playoff spot. For players, especially rookies, the story is far from set in stone. Their journeys are full of twists and turns, making this the perfect time to check in and see how they're stacking up. So, let's dive in and break down where the NHL's rookies stand at this point in the season. Stats are updated as of November 29.

Goals: The Finishers

Matvei Michkov (Philadelphia Flyers) – 8
Macklin Celebrini (San Jose Sharks) – 8
Jackson Blake (Carolina Hurricanes) – 7

Topping the rookie scoring charts so far is Matvei Michkov and Macklin Celebrini. Michkov has eight goals in 22 games. He's been good on the power play, racking up four on the man advantage. While his even-strength game still needs some fine-tuning, Michkov is already shaping up to be the player everyone expected. Right next to him is Macklin Celebrini, with eight goals as well, despite missing some time due to injury. Celebrini has proven he can deliver right out of the gate, and if he stays healthy, this scoring race could get really interesting.

Then there's Jackson Blake—yeah, didn't see that one coming, did you? The Hurricanes forward has also put up seven goals. With injuries opening up a bigger role for him in Carolina, Blake made the most of his shot. Now that Seth Jarvis is back, his ice time might take a hit, so we'll see how that plays out.

Assists: The Playmakers

Lane Hutson (Montreal Canadiens) – 12
Logan Stankoven (Dallas Stars) – 11
Maxim Tsyplakov (New York Islanders) – 10

Lane Hutson tops the leaderboard with 12 assists, dazzling fans with his puck-moving prowess. His ability to quarterback plays and generate offense from the blue line has been nothing short of elite. Although he hasn't scored yet, it's only a matter of time before Hutson finds the back of the net.

Logan Stankoven continues to shine as a dual-threat forward, contributing 11 assists to complement his goal-scoring efforts.

Maxim Tsyplakov rounds out the top three with 10 assists. The Islanders forward has quietly delivered steady production, hinting at untapped potential. While his numbers don't pop like some of his peers, Tsyplakov's skill set positions him as a reliable playmaker as he develops further.

Points Leaders: The Full Package

Matvei Michkov (Philadelphia Flyers) – 17
Logan Stankoven (Dallas Stars) – 15
Maxim Tsyplakov (New York Islanders) – 13

It's no surprise to see Michkov leading the pack with 17 points. Many worried (including myself) about how he'd fare under John Tortorella's strict system, but so far, it's been going well. Still, it's early, and Michkov will need to sustain this level of play over a grueling season.

Stankoven's 15 points reflect his balanced skill set and ability to thrive in various situations. His high hockey IQ and relentless work ethic have been crucial to his success.

Tsyplakov is holding his own with 13 points, keeping pace with the pack. On a fairly punchless Islanders squad, he's been one of the rare bright spots. It's worth noting, though, that while Tsyplakov is in the Calder race, he's 26—several years older than most of his competition, who are in their early 20s. That maturity level in age definitely helps, but even so, you still need a decent supporting cast and this Islanders team is lacking the production right now. Although he is not listed above, Celebrini is also tied with 13 points but he's done it in 14 games.

Shots on Goal: The Trigger-Happy Rookies

Logan Stankoven (Dallas Stars) – 60
Cutter Gauthier (Anaheim Ducks) – 50
Macklin Celebrini (San Jose Sharks) – 46

Stankoven is leading all rookies with 60 shots, showing off his ability to generate chances. Gauthier isn't far behind with 50 shots, but his production hasn't quite matched the volume. Anaheim's overall struggles are likely dragging him down, though he's starting to turn it around with five points in his last six games. Both Stankoven and Gauthier have shooting percentages in the mid-6% range, which is definitely on the lower side—some puck luck wouldn't hurt.

Then there's Celebrini, who's managed 46 shots despite missing time. It's just another reminder of how lethal he can be when he's in the lineup.

Penalty Minutes: The Agitators

Maveric Lamoureux (Utah Hockey Club) – 42
Matt Stienburg (Colorado Avalanche) – 22
Adam Engstrom (New York Rangers) – 21

Maveric Lamoureux is making his presence felt in a big way, leading the league with 42 penalty minutes. True to his gritty style, he's never one to back down, bringing an edge that makes him a force at both ends of the ice. Lamoureux is ranked third overall in PIM behind Brady Tkachuk and Nikita Zadorov.

Behind him, we've got Matt Stienburg and Adam Enstrom with 22 and 21 PIMs, respectively. Stienburg's physicality adds some bite to the Avalanche lineup, even if his numbers don't quite match Lamoureux's. Meanwhile, Adam Engstrom takes a more measured approach for the Rangers, relying on smart defensive positioning rather than all-out aggression. Different styles, but both getting the job done.

Hits: The Wrecking Crew

Maxim Tsyplakov – 67
Zachary L'Heureux – 58
Emil Heineman – 53

Tsyplakov's 67 hits lead all rookies and is within the top 20 amongst all skaters, showcasing his commitment to playing a physical game. He's proving to be a solid multi-category player, blending offense with grit, a combination fantasy managers should love. L'Heureux and Heineman, tied at 53 hits, bring similar levels of intensity.

Blocked Shots: The Warriors

Lane Hutson (Montreal Canadiens) – 33
Jack St. Ivany (Pittsburgh Penguins) – 25
Marc Del Gaizo (Nashville Predators) – 22

Lane Hutson's 33 blocked shots show he's not shy about putting his body on the line for the team. It is not a lot out of the gate but there may be some potential to become a solid multi-category asset—once he finds his groove in shooting the puck more consistently. Some nights, you'll see him rack up 2-3 hits and a couple of shots on goal, while others, his peripheral stats seem to vanish. It's all part of adjusting to the NHL game. For now, just sit back and enjoy the show as he dazzles with his creativity. The rest will come in time.

Goalie Wins: The Stoppers

Dustin Wolf (Calgary Flames) – 8-3-1
Justus Annunen (Colorado Avalanche) – 6-4-0
Joel Blomqvist (Pittsburgh Penguins) – 3-5-0

Dustin Wolf is leading the pack, recording an impressive 8-3-1 record. He's been a steady presence in net for the Flames, and it's clear he's carving out a future as Calgary's go-to guy between the pipes.

Meanwhile, Justus Annunen has had his moments of brilliance with Colorado but has also hit some rough patches. With both him and Georgiev vying for consistency, the Avalanche's crease is still up for grabs.

As for Joel Blomqvist, he's caught in a tough spot with Pittsburgh, where the team's struggles have left him exposed. Still, he's put up solid numbers despite being part of a squad stuck in limbo, with aging stars and a looming rebuild on the horizon.

Thanks for reading! See you next week. For more content/fantasy hockey analysis, or if there’s a prospect, you’d like me to cover, follow and message me on X @Punters_hockey.