(Games through Dec. 22)
Kakko, who did not play Sunday against the Anaheim Ducks because of a lower-body injury, has gone 16 games without a goal. He has six assists and 28 shots on goal in that span, when he averaged 15:53 of ice time. Hughes has gone 18 games without a goal. He has four assists and 37 shots on goal in that span, when he averaged 16:08 of ice time.
Jack Hughes, C, New Jersey Devils
Games: 32
G-A-Pts: 4-9-13
Shots on goal: 65
Avg. ice time: 16:00
Telling stat: He ranks second in average ice time among rookie forwards.
Quotable: "[Hughes] can skate and anyone that can skate gives himself a chance and if he can keep his pace, he'll find ways to create offense. The hard part for young players in this league is just figuring out the 200-foot game but he'll figure that out in time. You don't become No. 1 in the world ever without being able to figure that out." -- Ottawa Senators coach D.J. Smith
Kaapo Kakko, RW, New York Rangers
Games: 32
G-A-Pts: 6-8-14
Shots on goal: 58
Avg. ice time: 15:36
Telling stat: He ranks eighth among NHL rookies in power-play points per 60 minutes (5.56).
Quotable: "I think he's doing really well. Having two teenagers, I can relate to how hard it must be to walk into the best league in the world and make an impact. I think the coaches have done a really good job with him, I think his teammates have done a really good job with bringing him along, helping him. Really encouraged by where it's going, and his future." -- Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton