The impact several rookies are making on the NHL is one of the major storylines of the 2022-23 season. Each week, NHL.com will examine topics related to this season’s class in the Rookie Watch.
This week, the top five rookie goaltenders (in alphabetical order):
Pyotr KochetkovCarolina Hurricanes: A second-round pick (No. 36) in the 2019 NHL Draft, Kochetkov has three shutouts, tying Alex Nedeljkovic (2020-21) for the second-most in a season by a rookie in Hurricanes/Hartford Whalers history, behind Peter Sidorkiewicz. (four in 1988-89). The 23-year-old became Carolina’s first goalie with back-to-back shutouts since 2003 when he defeated the New York Islanders 3-0 on Dec. 10, and the Detroit Red Wings 1-0 three days later. He is 9-1-4 with a 2.01 goals-against average and .923 save percentage in 14 games (13 starts). He signed a four-year, $8 million contract (average annual value $2 million) with the Hurricanes on Nov. 23.
“He’s shown in the little time that he’s been here that he can play,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “(It’s) the whole makeup of the player, his personality, his willingness to work hard and obviously his ability. Goaltending, we know, is so important, so it’s nice to have him in the mix.”
Video: CAR@DET: Kochetkov shuts out Red Wings
Akira SchmidtNew Jersey Devils: A fifth-round selection (No. 136) in the 2018 NHL Draft, Schmid has provided consistent goaltending as the backup to Vitek Vanecek and in the absence of Mackenzie Blackwood, who has been out since Nov. 3 with an MCL sprain. Schmid is 5-3-0 with a 1.96 GAA and .932 save percentage in eight games (six starts). He matched the Devils/Colorado Rockies/Kansas City Scouts record for the longest season-opening winning streak (five) set by Chris Terreri (5-0-0 in 1993-94). Born in Bern, Switzerland, Schmid was 0-4-0 with a 4.83 GAA and .833 save percentage in six games (four starts) last season. The 22-year-old is 0-3-0 with a 2.91 GAA and .904 save percentage in his past three games (two starts).
“He’s young and not really [under] a lot of pressure because he’s coming into relief,” New Jersey coach Lindy Ruff said. “I think sometimes when you become the guy or then all of a sudden you have to be this guy, there’s a little bit more pressure on him. But we have really liked the way he’s played, and he’s making a statement that he can be a consistent NHL goaltender.”
Stuart SkinnerEdmonton Oilers: He’s 9-8-1 with a 2.83 GAA and .915 save percentage in 19 games (18 starts). Jack Campbell. Mike Smith was placed on long-term injured reserve after Skinner was needed. 21, and Mikko Koskinen opted to sign with Lugano in Switzerland in June. The third-round pick (No. 78) of the 2017 NHL Draft is 3-3-1 with a 2.71 GAA and .915 save percentage in his past seven starts. He won a Western Hockey League championship with Swift Current in 2017-18 and worked his way up the Oilers pipeline before playing for Bakersfield in the American Hockey League and 13 NHL games last season (6-6-0, 2.62 GAA, .913 saves percentage).
Logan ThompsonVegas Golden Knights: The 25-year-old became the first rookie goalie to win at least eight games in a calendar month (November) since Elvis Merzlikins for the Columbus Blue Jackets in January 2020 (8-2-0 in 10 games). He earned his opportunity this season after injuries to Robin Lehner and Laurent Brossoit and has helped Vegas to first place in the Pacific Division (22-10-1) under first-year coach Bruce Cassidy. Thompson is 14-8-0 with a 2.64 GAA and .917 save percentage in 22 games.
Thompson, undrafted and signed as a free agent on July 13, 2020, was the favorite to win the Calder Trophy at the first quarter of the season, according to a panel of 14 NHL.com writers.
Video: CHI@VGK: Golden Knights’ goalie makes 27 saves in win
Dan VladarCalgary Flames: The 25-year-old is 4-1-2 with a 2.55 GAA and .917 save percentage in his past seven games (all starts) as the backup to Jacob Markstrom. Vladar, acquired in a trade with the Boston Bruins on July 28, 2021 for a third-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, is 5-4-2 with a 2.81 GAA and .905 save percentage in 11 games (10 starts).
“In my mind, I think Dan Vladar is a No. 1 goalie in the future,” Flames director of goaltending Jordan Sigalet told The Athletic. “I think he’s got the potential to be that. You never really know until you’re given the reins and try and take it. But we definitely see him as No. 1 potential.”
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