2023 NHL Early Rookie Standouts

By: Michael A. Chase Jr.

10/21/2023

We're more than a week into the 2023-2024 NHL season and one story that has developed is the play of several rookies across the league. 1st overall pick Conner Bedard is and will continue to steal the headlines amongst young players, but other youngsters have shined in the early stages. TUSV looks at four rookies currently taking full advantage of their opportunity at the NHL level. Detailing their production and quality of play these young players have exhibited thus far in the early season.

Logan Cooley – Center Arizona Coyotes

The 2022 3rd overall pick of the 2022 NHL Draft made the Coyotes opening night roster after posting 4 goals and 6 points in 5 preseason games. Thus far the Arizona coaching staff has shown no fear of playing significant minutes and he has been steady in terms of his production. Cooley on average is getting 18:37 of ice time per game, which ranks 8th among Arizona skaters and 4th among forwards. He is also averaging 21.0 shifts per game which is tied for 4th among forwards. Plus, the fact his ice time has increased over each of the first three games shows the trust he is earning from his coaches. In terms of point production Cooley is averaging a point per game posting 4 assists over his first 4 career games. This included a 2 assists effort in his NHL debut versus New Jersey. Now he is still in search of his first NHL goal, but Cooley has quickly established himself as a player that must see as much ice as possible for Arizona. 

Ridly Greig – Center Ottawa Senators

Greig was the 28th overall pick by Ottawa in the 2020 NHL Draft and the 21-year-old center is quickly finding a home in the bottom six of the Senators lineup. Greig does have some NHL experience as he made his NHL debut last year playing in 20 games. He put up 2 goals and 9 points in just under 13 minutes of ice time showing much promise. This year he has received 15:11 of ice time on average in the 4 games for the Senators. This is while playing at least 19 shifts in all four games this season. He has tallied 3 assists and a +4 plus/minus showing off good puck retrieval skills and being very strong on the forecheck, especially in the dirty areas. He specifically is on a 3-game point streak and is building confidence by the shift. If he continues this recent surge, he will make a climb up the lineup later in the year.

Matthew Phillips – Winger Washington Capitals

The story of Matthew Phillips has been a great one to watch unfold so far as the former 166th overall pick of the 6th round in the 2016 Draft by Calgary is making history. The 5'8" 160 lbs. winger is the smallest player to ever play in the NHL. Despite the lack of size, he surprisingly made the roster for the Capitals and has earned much praise from his head coach and teammates. Plus, the fact he has equaled his games played total with Calgary at three is a milestone. His speed and quickness has been on display through the club's first three games and his breakout effort came against his former franchise. Phillips's 2 points on the season came against the Flames in a Washington victory. He scored his first career NHL Goal and provided the assist on the game-tying goal in the game. He has found a nice home playing just over 17 shifts and 12:40 a game on the Capitals 3rd line. Now while he does not get major minutes his impact in a Caps lineup that needed to add youth and speed this offseason has been invaluable. It will be interesting to see if this young 25-year-old can stick long-term for the Caps but he has been a spark plug the Capitals will continue to need.

Henry Thrun – Defenseman San Jose Sharks

The final player to mention is 22-year-old defenseman Henry Thrun of the San Jose Sharks. Thrun is a 4th Round, 101st overall pick of Anaheim from the 2019 Draft, and is getting a chance for his first extended look at the NHL level. He did play 8 games last season for San Jose posting 2 assists and a -3 plus/minus in 19:51 time on ice. Now in 2 games this year he has already posted 2 assists and a -1 plus/minus. He is doing this while playing 18:32 a game and playing over 24 shifts through their first 2 games. The hope is that this young player firmly establishes himself as a stable piece in their defense core. He has offensive upside and has shown solid physicality and defensive instincts that will grow over the year. In the end for a San Jose team looking to build their next core that will be contenders for years, Thrun is getting a shot to be part of that group.