With the first month of the season past and an already heated rookie race heating up Los Angeles Kings rookie forward Tanner Pearson was named rookie of the month.  Pearson has amassed 7 goals, 2 assists for 9 points in 12 games played; additional stats that may play in your league include 23 shots, 1 PPG, 1 GWG and 6 PIM.  Pearson has a unrealistic 30% shooting percentage so expect some drop off in that goals category while he will pick up some assists. Pearson is eligible as a rookie as he has not played more than 25 regular season games in his career; Pearson also has 25 career playoff games to his name as well.  Being one of the few rookies who have a Stanley cup ring chipping in with 4 goals and 8 assists in the playoffs last season.  Pearson is a key component to the Kings potent “That 70’s line” playing with Jeff Carter and Tyler Toffoli and has a +10 rating on the season so far.  Pearson has been held scoreless in his last five games so look for him to get out of this small slump with a big game in the next week or two.

Leading rookie scoring is Nashville Predators center Filip Forsberg with 3 goals, 8 assists for 11 points in 11 games played.  Additional stats include leading the league in plus/minus with a +13 rating, 1 PPG, 1 GWG and 29 shots.  Forsberg is currently playing left wing with James Neal and Mike Ribeiro on Nashville’s top line.

There is a three way tie for third in rookie scoring with Calgary Flames Johnny Gaudreau, Washington Capitals Andre Burakovsky and New Jersey Devils defensemen Damon Severson. 

Johnny Gaudreau aka Johnny Hockey got off to a slow start to the season with no points and only a single shot in his first 5 games, he was then a healthy scratch in game 6.  In the last 7 games since being a healthy scratch Gaudreau has amassed 8 points, 2 goals and 6 assists with a +7 rating, 18 shots, 1 PPG, 2 GWG, 0 PIM.  He has been playing the last few games with fellow rookie Markus Granlund and veteran Jiri Hudler on Calgary’s second line.  Gaudreau has been one of Calgary’s best players and is the epitomy of exciting to watch because everytime he has the puck something can and very often will happen.

The Washington Capitals center Andre Burakovsky has entered his first NHL season with 2 goals and 6 assists for 8 points in his first 11 games.  Burakovsky has a modest +3 rating, 1 PPG, 15 shots and 6 PIM while centering Jason Chimera and Joel Ward on Washington’s third line.  His ice time has remained steady throughout the beginning of the season however he played a season low of 7:42 against Arizona on November 2.

An exciting surprise for the New Jersey Devils has been the play of defensemen Damon Severson with 4 goals and 4 assists for 8 points in 11 games he is leading rookie defensemen in points.  All his goals have come on even strength and he has a strong +6 rating, 32 shots, 6 PIM.  Severson would be a great addition to your fantasy team as he is currently tied for 10^th in defensemen scoring league wide.  He is partnered up with veteran Andy Greene on the Devils top pairing.