Andre Burakovsky provides Capitals rookie impact
When Barry Trotz was coaching the Nashville Predators, he saw enough of the Detroit Red Wings' Henrik Zetterberg to appreciate his value as a multidimensional center.
Now with the Washington Capitals, Trotz is pleased to discover he has a Swedish rookie with the same mindset.
"(Andre) Burakovsky has a very high compete level," Trotz said. "He's very intelligent. He's relentless on pucks. He reminds me of a Zetterberg-type of player."
With two goals and three assists in his first three games, Burakovsky, 19, has been among the most impressive rookies in the first week of the NHL season.
The Capitals moved Burakovsky from wing to center during their development camp, and he looked comfortable there. They decided to make the move permanent. He is the son of former Ottawa Senators player Robert Burakovsky — a coach now — and seems to have developed an advanced hockey IQ growing up in that environment.
"He is a smart player with tons of talent, and I see him moving up quickly," Trotz said.
Washington's higher-profile rookie, Evgeny Kuznetsov, also has three assists. He has averaged 11 minutes, 32 seconds a game as he adjusts to the NHL. He was a dynamic presence in the Russia-based Kontinental Hockey League, but some of his KHL magic doesn't translate as well in the North American game.
"You have a lot more time over there, and when you have a high skill level, you can make these high-end plays and you can skate with the puck," Trotz said. "He's learning you don't have the time and space that you have over there."
Kuznetsov has also been moved to center, where he has more responsibility.
"He has adjusted really well," Trotz said. "He has taken the initiative to get better. He's been watching some of the great centermen in the league. I know everyone we play he watches. And he's been watching Nicklas Backstrom a lot. He's been a sponge."
Other high-performing rookies this season:
Tanner Pearson (Los Angeles Kings): He was an essential contributor to the Kings' Stanley Cup championship success, but qualifies as a rookie because he had played 25 regular-season games, the maximum allowed to remain eligible. Pearson, 22, had three goals last season, but this season, he has four goals and six points in his first four games to lead NHL rookies.
Filip Forsberg (Nashville): Playing on a line with Derek Roy and Craig Smith, Forsberg, 20, has a goal and three assists in his first three games. He's on the second power-play unit. Averaging 16:01 a game, Forsberg is playing a few more shifts per game than most rookie forwards.
Damon Severson (New Jersey Devils): Severson, 20, has established him as a regular on the Devils' defense. His ice time has gone up in each of his three games. He played 21:41 and scored twice in his last game. He's a team-best plus 5.
Stuart Percy (Toronto Maple Leafs): The defenseman hasn't played fewer than 20 minutes in his first four games. He looks to be an efficient, dependable performer, a much-needed addition for a team that struggled defensively last season.