David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports
October is always the best time to start overreacting about your NHL team’s season outlook. The Nashville Predators are in a tailspin and the Winnipeg Jets look like world-beaters, and with that comes all the doomsayers and plan-the-parade types.
However, some things are panning out exactly as they’re supposed to. That’s the case with these five NHLers, who are off to the best starts of their careers. Here’s why you should believe in them:
Cole Caufield, RW, Montreal Canadiens
It’s been a slow and steady rise for the Canadiens’ undersized sniper, but he finally looks the part of an elite NHL goal-scorer with six goals and seven points in seven games.
Consistency is something that takes time for a goal scorer, and he looks to have a few more things figured out playing with improving linemates. Four of his goals have come against quality opponents in Toronto, Boston and the New York Islanders, so he’s not just picking on weak teams either.
His nearly 30 percent shooting rate is due to come down, but he’s shown an incredibly consistent shooting volume that could absolutely yield a 40-goal season. He would be Montreal’s first 40-goal man since Vincent Damphousse lit the lamp 40 times in 1993-94.
Jake Sanderson, D, Ottawa Senators
By last season, Sanderson was already the undisputed No. 1 D-man in Ottawa, clearly usurping Thomas Chabot as a 21-year-old. But with 38 points in 79 games, offensive contributions separated Sanderson from being an elite defender that could stack up to the league’s best.
However, with six power-play points through six games to start 2024-25, Sanderson has emerged as a very, very early Norris Trophy candidate. Especially if that translates into a more competitive Senators team.
While the Sens’ offense has finally started to flow through him, he does need to clean up in his own end to reach the top echelon of NHL defenders. According to moneypuck.com, he’s just barely breaking even in shot-attempt percentage and unblocked shot-attempt percentage.
Dylan Guenther, RW, Utah Hockey Club
The Utah Hockey Club has shot out of a cannon to kick off their inaugural season, and who better than Guenther to score the franchise’s first goal? Drafted ninth overall in 2021, he promises to be a core piece of Utah’s up-and-coming group. He parlayed that quick start into five goals in his first three games.
Guenther has slowed down with just one assist in his past five games, but he’s still…