Jesper Wallstedt, G, Minnesota Wild: The No. 20 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft is 14-7-6 with a 2.78 goals-against average, .912 save percentage and four shutouts in 28 games (27 starts) this season. Wallstedt (6-3, 214) was named the NHL “Rookie of the Month” for November after going 6-0-0 with a League-best 1.14 GAA, .967 save percentage and three shutouts in six games. He’s begun to find a bit of his form again as Filip Gustavsson‘s backup, allowing three goals or fewer in five of his past six starts (2-2-2) dating to Jan. 27. He joined Gustavsson for Team Sweden at the 2026 Winter Olympics, finding his way onto the roster by going 11-2-3 with a 2.21 GAA,.928 save percentage and four shutouts in first 16 games from Oct. 13-Dec. 31. He became the fourth rookie goaltender in NHL history and first in 87 years to have four shutouts over a span of six games, joining Frank Brimsek (Boston Bruins, 1938-39), Dolly Dolson (Detroit Cougars, 1928-29) and Tiny Thompson (Bruins, 1928-29).
“I felt very confident that my game plan and the way I play would be successful in the NHL,” he said in January. “Obviously, with hard work and everything, I felt like I had a good chance. I always trusted, and kind of inside of myself felt, that I would be able to succeed.”
Matthew Wood, F, Nashville Predators: He is 18th among rookies with 24 points (14 goals, 10 assists) and is averaging 11:59 of ice time in 55 games this season as the center on a line with left wing Filip Forsberg and Luke Evangelista. Wood (6-4, 202) is also earning ice time on the second power play (1:39 per game). The 20-year-old right-handed shot was taken No. 15 in the 2023 NHL Draft and recalled from Milwaukee of the AHL on Oct. 23. Wood played six games for the Predators in 2024-25, getting one assist and averaging 11:35 of ice time. He sustained a lower-body injury during training camp, delaying his chance of making the opening-night roster, but has scaled the lineup since his season debut Oct. 23.
“He has an unbelievable shot, and I think he’s getting confidence using his hands, using his body to protect pucks,” Forsberg said. “He’s a big guy. He can do a lot of those things really well.”