Nikolai Knyzhov, D, San Jose Sharks: The 23-year-old is a prototypical defenseman. He's third among Sharks defensemen with 35 hits and sixth with 28 blocked shots. He also has four assists and 19 shots on goal in 30 games.
Knyzhov (6-foot-2, 218 pounds) signed an entry-level contact July 2, 2019, after playing two seasons in Russia, including three games with SKA St. Petersburg in the Kontinental Hockey League in 2018-19. He scored five points (one goal, four assists) and was a plus-4 in 33 games with San Jose of the American Hockey League last season, which earned him a three-game call-up to the Sharks in March before the season was paused due to the coronavirus pandemic. He averaged 10:49 of ice time, but his average of 7.39 blocked shots per 60 minutes of ice time led San Jose defensemen.
"He's a big guy with great feet and he plays a heavy game down low," Sharks coach Bob Boughner said. "All young guys are going to make some mistakes and there's going to be some room for improvement, but it's our job to keep developing them. I think he's handled himself pretty well under some pressure (against) some good teams in trying to be a steady guy in the NHL."
Kevin Lankinen, G, Chicago Blackhawks: Lankinen is 10-7-4 with a 2.87 goals-against average, a .914 save percentage and one shutout in 21 games after entering training camp as the third goalie on the depth chart behind Malcolm Subban and Collin Delia.
The 25-year-old signed a two-year contract with the Blackhawks on May 21, 2018 after playing in Liiga, the top professional league in Finland, the previous five seasons. Lankinen (6-2, 185) signed a two-year contract to remain with Chicago on April 2, 2020.
"He's such a hard-working and driven individual, it's not surprising, really," Blackhawks developmental goaltending coach Peter Aubry said. "Especially with the consistency component. He brings the same thing day in and day out, whether he has a practice jersey on or a game jersey on. I feel really good about the fact that he's doing it day in and day out."
Nico Sturm, F, Minnesota Wild: The 25-year-old has been a productive bottom-six forward this season, scoring six points (three goals, three assists) in 27 games, with 21 hits and 37 shots on goal.
Sturm (6-3, 207) signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the Wild on April 1, 2019. He signed another one-year contract last season and scored 32 points (12 goals, 20 assists) in 55 games as a rookie with Iowa of the AHL. He signed a two-year contract Oct. 5, 2020.
"He's got an element that we really like and that's speed and work," Wild coach Dean Evason said. "We have seen him progress here. He had a real good year obviously in Iowa and played well in the (2020 Stanley Cup Playoff) bubble. He's a very versatile guy."
Pius Suter, F, Chicago Blackhawks: Suter is second among NHL rookies with eight goals, tied for first with three game-winning goals and tied for eighth with 13 points in 32 games. The 24-year-old is averaging 16:21 of ice time per game and has been centering the Blackhawks' No. 1 line, along with Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat.
Suter (5-11, 176) signed a one-year contract July 16, 2020, after he led National League, the top professional league in Switzerland, with 30 goals and 53 points and was named the league's most valuable player.
"He's improved his mobility from last year to this year," Blackhawks coach Jeremy Colliton said. "He's a very smart player, he's really good around the net, but his skating has allowed him to drive play and get through the neutral zone, get out of defensive, D, Ottawa Senators:** The 25-year-old right-handed shot has scored seven points (two goals, five assists) in 17:03 of ice time in 25 games this season.
Zub (6-2, 203) signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the Senators on May 1, 2020, after he scored 13 goals with SKA St. Petersburg, tied for second among KHL defensemen last season, and led the league with a plus-35 rating.
"There's such a thing as gamers, and some guys are good practice players," Senators coach D.J. Smith said. "Then the game comes and they're just OK. And then there's other guys. He's not flashy. To me [Zub's] a gamer. When the game is on, he's so much more competitive and he doesn't give you an inch out there."
