This Just In: Seth Jones Is The Man

An analysis of the 2013 NHL Rookie Class

Courtesy CBSsports.com

By Marnitz Kotze

Every summer we gather around the idiot box and watch everyone and their dog attempts to predict who the first round draft picks will be. Generally speaking, their predictions are usually spot on but the production expectations for the top draft picks don't always pan out. Let's take a look at some of the top rookies one month into the season.

Tomas Hertl-San Jose Sharks

No, this isn't based solely on his between-the-legs breakaway goal, but it's definitely worth noting. Drafted 17th overall in 2012, Hertl has 8 goals and 3 assists and is +8 on the season. That puts him 30th overall in scoring (best among rookies) which becomes more especially impressive considering he only averages 14 minutes a game. His insertion into the lineup came following a decent preseason performance and an ACL injury to winger Raffi Torres. Hertl thanked head coach Todd McLellan for the chance by becoming the youngest Shark player to score two goals in a game since Patrick Marleau did it in 1999. Then he had the four goal game (capped by that stellar goal), becoming the youngest player to do so since 1988 (Jimmy Carson, LA Kings). Obviously Hertl won't continue scoring at the rate of he has. If he does, Teemu Selanne will assassinate him similarly to this poor glove

As long as Hertl can be consistent, there is no reason why he shouldn't be part of the Calder conversation come Vegas time. If he stays this good? He'll run away with the award by January.

Sean Monahan-Calgary Flames

The Calgary Flames are going nowhere and they made a risky move in keeping Monahan in the NHL. During a season in which they're supposed to be rebuilding, to keep Monahan in the lineup is to essentially pay him an entry level contract and not give him more time in juniors to refine his game. Doesn't seem like the best player development method to me, but hey, I just blog, what do I know? Anyway, the sixth over all draft pick is having a great season considering the amount of talent he has to compete with on his team. 10 points in 11 games puts him in second behind Hertl in rookie scoring and his face-off numbers are pretty solid at 42 percent, oh and did I mention he's second in team scoring playing as a third line centre while only averaging 15 minutes played?! In all honesty, I don't think Monahan is going to continue at the same rate that he has been but one month in Calgary has got to like what they're seeing out of Sean.

Nathan MacKinnon - Colorado Avalanche

Courtesy ctv.ca

Being the first overall pick always has its pressures and MacKinnon is in some elite company with the likes of Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, and Taylor Hall. So how has the rookie responded one month into the season? While he is only 6th overall in scoring among rookies, I wouldn't call his lack of points as a direct result of his skill-set. It is difficult to contend for points on the second best team in the league when you play on the third line behind Matt Duchene and Paul Stastny, who, by the way are kind of a big deal and aren't giving up ice time any time soon. Which brings me to the next point: He's only averaging 13.5 minutes a game on the Avs checking line so his point totals are in keeping with his situational usage. The bottom line is that he has a really unique combination of sense, skill, and speed that makes him a very special player and the team around him will only help further his game into that of one of the elite forwards of the league.

Seth Jones - Nashville Predators

A wise man once said that winning the Calder isn't all about scoring. Okay, I made that up and the exact opposite is probably true, but scoring isn't what put Seth Jones on my radar. Statistically speaking - offensively and defensively - one month into the season Seth Jones is the best defenceman on a Nashville Predators team that includes Shea Weber. I'll give you a moment for that to sink in.....Good.

Now, while I could argue that compared to other d-men around the league, Jones' defensive numbers aren't stellar, you have to take into consideration the situations he is playing in. He is averaging 24.76 minutes a game, which is far and away better than any other rookie and only four minutes less than the highest average in the league. He plays 46 percent of all the Preds penalty kills and starts more defensive zone face-offs than any other player on the team, (again more than Weber). This really shows how much faith Barry Trotz has in Jones because the reality is he plays in all the key situations and isn't a liability on the ice (always the struggle for rookie defenceman). He has benefited well from playing alongside Weber and one can only hope he shows Jones how to shoot a puck through the net soon. Although, he probably won't get consideration for the Calder, having David Poile as both your GM and the U.S.A Olympic team's can't hurt your chances for a spot on that roster.

Honourable Mentions

While these rookies aren't the big stories that the above players are, they still deserve a shout out. "I'm like what up rooks." 2 Chainz anyone? No? Okay moving on.

Marc Arcobello - 10 assists through 13 games places him 4th in the league in assists. Not bad company to be in, especially for a player that was never drafted

Alex Chiasson - The winger has 9 points in 12 games, while playing for the struggling Dallas Stars. Lindy Ruff and Jim Nill have got to like what they have seen out of Alex so far this season and be optimistic for the future. It's too bad his best highlight is getting robbed by Ryan Miller.

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Marnitz Kotze is probably the most famous South African to immigrate to Canada since Steve Nash. Follow him on Twitter at @marnitzkotze