Stars' Dynamic Young Forward Is Currently Leading The NHL's Rookie Points Race

Heading into the 2024-25 regular season, two NHL rookie forwards – San Jose’s Macklin Celebrini and Philadelphia’s Matvei Michkov – were favorites to win the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league’s best first-year player. However, after his first 13 games of the year, Dallas Stars left winger Logan Stankoven leads all rookies with 10 assists and 12 points – and he could wind up winning the Calder.

The 21-year-old Stankoven is averaging only 15:49 of ice time – up from the 14:40 average he posted last season in his first 24 NHL games – and he’s currently leading the Stars in assists and is second in points behind Matt Duchene. As per THN Lineups, Stankoven currently slots in as Dallas’ second-line right winger, but Stars coach Peter DeBoer appears comfortable using Stankoven in most situations, as Stankoven has averaged 2:17 on the power play this year.

Related: Projecting The Stars: Logan Stankoven

Stankoven has posted three multi-point games this season, including a three-point outing against Nashville on the first game of Dallas’ season. Like all rookies, he’s gone through some dry spells – being held off the scoresheet in four games this year – but Stankoven has looked every bit like a difference-maker for the Stars.

Stankoven posted eight assists and 14 points last year, and he’s going to quickly beat his point total in the next few games. Celebrini and Michkov are higher-profile rookies, but Stankoven is respected by his peers, and he should turn the Calder race into a three-horse competition.

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