Dominik Kubalik came out of nowhere for the Chicago Blackhawks. Even though Kubalik is 24, he is considered a rookie under the NHL rules. He’s only played 44 NHL games, all during the 2019-20 NHL season.
This is the team’s oldest rookie to be in this conversation since Artemi Panarin in 2015-16. In Panarin’s case, he did play in the KHL. That is a pro-league in Russia. Again, under the NHL rules, he was considered a rookie.
Kubalik is tied for most goals for rookies this season with 16. He has 26-points during his amazing 44 game stretch this season.