Arizona Coyotes rookies making a difference all around

WINNIPEG – Youth continues to invade the NHL with every team using at least one rookie this season, and the Coyotes have been at the forefront of the movement.

On the brink of Saturday’s four-game road trip finale against the Jets, the six rookies who have dressed this season for the Coyotes have chipped in 19 goals and 37 points – tops in the league entering action Friday.

Wingers Max Domi and Anthony Duclair are responsible for the bulk of the scoring. Actually, their combined 28 points is more than the production all other teams in the NHL are receiving from their first-year players other than the Blackhawks.

But the boost from the youngsters hasn’t been limited to the offensive zone.

Winger Jordan Martinook and defenseman Klas Dahlbeck have also been valuable contributors, filling out a rookie class that has emerged through the early part of the season as a well-rounded addition to the Coyotes.

“It’s a cool contrast to look at, to see the two of them and the two of us,” Martinook said. “You need guys like them, obviously, to put the puck in the net, and you need guys like us to keep it out. It’s been awesome to be here and to have an impact the way that all of us have, it’s been good.

“To be on a team that’s winning and over .500, you can’t ask for more than that.”

Goals and assists are some of the go-to barometers for gauging a rookie’s transition to the NHL. They’re certainly two categories examined when sizing up candidates for the Calder Trophy as the league’s best newcomer.

And the Coyotes haven’t failed those litmus tests.

After Thursday’s 3-2 win over the Canadiens, Domi led all rookies in goals (eight) and ranked second in points (16). Duclair tied for the second-most goals (seven) and tied for fourth in points (12).

What’s more, the duo is helping the Coyotes when the climate isn’t always easy.

Domi has 11 points in 12 road games, and six of Duclair’s seven goals have come away from home.

“Max and Duke have been incredible, and we’re so fortunate to have them the way that they’re playing,” captain Shane Doan said.

But it takes more than goal scorers to construct a cohesive group, and the Coyotes have some up-and-comers delivering in the areas that can get overlooked.

Martinook logged 4:35 of ice time on the penalty kill in the win over the Canadiens with 2:01 of that work coming in the third period when the Coyotes were trying to prevent a Montreal rally.

“I’m trying to be the best forechecker every night,” Martinook said. “That’s something I need to do to be successful, and sometimes it shows up on the score sheet but sometimes it doesn’t. It’s just something I need to do every night for me to be successful, for me to keep my role here.”

Dahlbeck has also found a niche in his first full season in the NHL.

He took a season-high 32 shifts against the Canadiens and averages three minutes on the penalty kill per game – highest among all rookies who’ve played at least 10 games.

“He’s a great skater,” coach Dave Tippett said. “He’s a strong guy. He’s hard to play against. The games that he plays well, you can see the other team doesn’t like to play against him.”

The established players such as defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, center Martin Hanzal and winger Mikkel Boedker are counted on to pace the Coyotes, and they have definitely been a factor in the team’s successes.

But the rookies haven’t disappointed.

That’s an encouraging sign for the present and the future.

“All of our guys have integrated pretty well,” Tippett said. “And if you look at it, they’ve all had an impact on what we’re doing as an organization.”

Reach the reporter at sarah.mclellan@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8276. Follow her at twitter.com/azc_mclellan.

Coyotes at Jets

When: 5 p.m.

Where: MTS Centre.

TV/radio: Fox Sports Arizona/KTAR-AM (620).

Coyotes update: Defenseman Nicklas Grossmann, who’s missed the past six games with a lower-body injury, is doubtful to play against the Jets. “But he’s getting closer,” Tippett said. The Coyotes will decide which goaltender will start against the Jets Saturday morning. Goalie Mike Smith didn’t practice Friday.

Jets update: Winnipeg snapped a six-game losing streak Wednesday with a 4-1 win over Vancouver. The skid came after a promising start for the Jets as they grabbed victories in four of their first five games. Winnipeg is 4-1 when scoring first. Winger Blake Wheeler leads the team with 21 points, while center Bryan Little paces the bunch with nine goals. Little has six goals and three assists in 11 career games against the Coyotes. Last season, the Jets won two of their three meetings with the Coyotes.