Rookie Watch: Teams relying on youth

The play of several high-profile rookies, including forwards Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils and Kaapo Kakko of the New York Rangers, the No. 1 and No. 2 picks of the 2019 NHL Draft, respectively, is one of the major storylines of the 2019-20 season. Each Monday, NHL.com will examine topics related to this season's class in the Rookie Watch.

With the NHL pausing the 2019-20 regular season on March 12 due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus, here is a look at the top five NHL teams with the most games played by rookies:

1. Columbus Blue Jackets

Total games played by rookies: 328 (13 players)

Players: Forwards Emil Bemstrom, Liam Foudy, Ryan MacInnis, Eric Robinson, Kole Sherwood, Kevin Stenlund, Alexandre Texier, Calvin Thurkauf; defensemen Gabriel Carlsson, Vladislav Gavrikov, Andrew Peeke; goalies Matiss Kivlenieks, Elvis Merzlikins

Rookie on the rise:Foudy, an exceptional skater chosen No. 18 in the 2018 NHL Draft, could be the one to watch next season. He scored 68 points (28 goals, 40 assists) in 45 games for London of the Ontario Hockey League and four points (three goals, one assist) in seven games to help Canada to a first-place finish at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship. The 20-year-old has one assist and three shots on goal in two games with the Blue Jackets this season.

2. Chicago Blackhawks

Total games played by rookies: 303 (nine players)

Players:Forwards Kirby Dach, Brandon Hagel, Matthew Highmore, Dominik Kubalik, Alex Nylander; defensemen Nicolas Beaudin, Adam Boqvist, Lucas Carlsson, Video: NYR@CBJ: Merzlikins slides across to stone Zibanejad

Rookie on the rise: The first-year player who could make significant strides next season is Dach, a two-way center who was the No. 3 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. Dach scored 23 points (eight goals, 15 assists), 20 even-strength points (eight goals, 12 assists) and 101 shots on goal, averaging 14:16 of ice time in 64 games. The 19-year-old leads all Blackhawks rookies with 38 takeaways, is third with 23 blocked shots and fourth with 33 hits.

3. New York Rangers

Total games played by rookies: 250 (seven players)

Players: Forwards Julien Gauthier, Video: NYR@CBJ: Merzlikins slides across to stone Zibanejad, Kaapo Kakko; defensemen Adam Fox, Video: NYR@CBJ: Merzlikins slides across to stone Zibanejad, Ryan Lindgren; goalie Igor Shesterkin

Rookie on the rise:There's no denying that Fox has been one of the biggest surprises among all NHL rookies and likely will be a part of the foundation on the Rangers defense for many years. However, the one rookie who could make an even bigger impact next season is Shesterkin, a fourth-round pick (No. 118) in the 2014 NHL Draft. The 24-year-old is 10-2-0 and has the third-lowest goals-against average (2.52) and second highest save percentage (.932) among rookie goalies who have started at least 10 games.

4. Los Angeles Kings

Total games played by rookies: 241 (11 players)

Players: Forwards Video: NYR@CBJ: Merzlikins slides across to stone Zibanejad, Video: NYR@CBJ: Merzlikins slides across to stone Zibanejad, Blake Lizotte, Trevor Moore, Nikolai Prokhorkin, Gabriel Vilardi; defensemen Mikey Anderson, Video: NYR@CBJ: Merzlikins slides across to stone Zibanejad, Video: NYR@CBJ: Merzlikins slides across to stone Zibanejad, Matt Roy; goalie Cal Petersen

Rookie on the rise: Lizotte has scored 23 points (six goals, 17 assists) in 65 games and Roy has 132 hits and 100 blocked shots in 70 games. However, the player to watch next season might be Anderson. A fourth-round pick (No. 103) in the 2017 NHL Draft, he's averaged 18:09 of ice time in six games for the Kings and has one goal and nine shots on goal with a plus-4 rating. Anderson, a steady and positionally sound puck mover, scored 15 points (three goals, 12 assists) in 53 games for Ontario of the American Hockey League this season.

5. Philadelphia Flyers

Total games played by rookies:231 (11 players)

Players:Forwards Nicolas Aube-Kubel, Video: NYR@CBJ: Merzlikins slides across to stone Zibanejad, Joel Farabee, Video: NYR@CBJ: Merzlikins slides across to stone Zibanejad, Video: NYR@CBJ: Merzlikins slides across to stone Zibanejad, Video: NYR@CBJ: Merzlikins slides across to stone Zibanejad, Video: NYR@CBJ: Merzlikins slides across to stone Zibanejad, Video: NYR@CBJ: Merzlikins slides across to stone Zibanejad; defensemen Video: NYR@CBJ: Merzlikins slides across to stone Zibanejad, Samuel Morin, Philippe Myers

Rookie on the rise: The Flyers have had several rookies contribute, particularly Farabee (21 points in 52 games) and Myers (16 points, plus-17 rating in 50 games). But Frost, the No. 27 pick in the 2017 draft, has taken advantage of his opportunity and could be the one to watch next season. The 20-year-old center has seven points (two goals, five assists), 31 shots on goal and ranks fourth among Flyers rookies with 10 takeaways while averaging 13:41 of ice time in 20 games. He has scored 29 points (13 goals, 16 assists) in 41 games with Lehigh Valley (AHL) this season.

Head to Head comparison

The two top Canada-born NHL rookie point scorers are Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar and Montreal Canadiens forward Nick Suzuki.

Although Suzuki has played 14 more games, Makar ranks ahead of him in most categories. The two play different positions, but the comparison is interesting:

Cale Makar, D, Colorado Avalanche

Games:57

G-A-Pts:12-38-50

Shots on goal:121

Average ice time:21:01

Telling stat:Has 19 power-play points (four goals, 15 assists) and a 9.9 shooting percentage.

Nick Suzuki, F, Montreal Canadiens

Games:71

G-A-Pts: 13-28-41

Shots on goal: 138

Average ice time:15:59

Telling stat:Has 14 power-play points (six goals, eight assists) and a 9.4 shooting percentage.

Morreale's Calder Trophy frontrunners

1. Cale Makar, D, Colorado Avalanche: Leads rookies in points per game (0.88; minimum 10 games played), and all rookie defensemen in goals (12), power-play goals (four) and even-strength goals (eight).

2. Quinn Hughes, D, Vancouver Canucks: Ranks first among rookies with 53 points (eight goals, 45 assists) and 25 power-play points (three goals, 22 assists) in 68 games.

3. Dominik Kubalik, F, Chicago Blackhawks:Ranks first among rookies with 30 goals, 38 even-strength points and 157 shots on goal and is third with 46 points in 68 games.