The NHL has a new face leading its 2026-27 rookie class in scoring.
Washington Capitals defenseman Cole Hutson recorded three assists in the team’s 7-4 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night, taking the top spot on the league’s leaderboard from Toronto Maple Leafs forward Gavin McKenna. Hutson now has 15 points (5g, 10a) in 18 games, leading all rookies in points per game (0.83).
Hutson is also the lone defenseman in the top 13 rookie scorers. Since the 1943-44 season, only four defenders have ever led all rookies in scoring over the course of a full season: Lane Hutson (66 points in 2024-25), Quinn Hughes (53 points in 2019-20), Brian Leetch (71 points in 1988-89), and Bobby Orr (41 points in 1966-67).
NHL rookie scoring leaders
| Player | GP | G | A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cole Hutson | 18 | 5 | 10 | 15 |
| Gavin McKenna | 22 | 6 | 7 | 13 |
| Roman Kantserov | 20 | 9 | 3 | 12 |
| Trevor Connelly | 21 | 7 | 5 | 12 |
| James Hagens | 17 | 6 | 6 | 12 |
| Ivar Stenberg | 22 | 6 | 6 | 12 |
| Victor Eklund | 19 | 7 | 4 | 11 |
| Michael Brandsegg-Nygård | 21 | 4 | 7 | 11 |
| Anton Frondell | 20 | 4 | 6 | 10 |
| TJ Hughes | 21 | 2 | 8 | 10 |
Hutson got his scoring started with the secondary helper on Ryan Leonard‘s slap shot goal 14:34 into Saturday’s first period.
After carving into New Jersey’s zone, Hutson dropped the puck to Dylan Strome, who fed Leonard at the top of the right faceoff circle for a one-time blast. The assist extended Hutson’s point streak to three games, tying the career-best streak he set earlier this season.
Cole Hutson’s first assist against the Devils
Hutson grabbed his second assist just 4:06 later in the first period.
Boone Jenner fired a rebound chance wide on his backhand, and Hutson, already pushed up deep into New Jersey’s zone, collected the puck off the back boards and sent it back into the crease from behind the net. From there, Anthony Beauvillier scooped home a tap-in tally into an empty net.
Cole Hutson’s second assist against the Devils
Hutson capped off his scoring for the night with another primary assist, finding Ilya Protas on a third-period power play just 1:22 into the final frame. Protas beat Connor Hellebuyck from a bad angle after Hutson set him up from the point.
Cole Hutson’s third assist against the Devils
With the three-point performance, Hutson became the first Capitals rookie defenseman to register a three-assist game since Mikhail Tatarinov on December 7, 1990.
Hutson is also the first rookie defenseman in general to record a three-assist game since his brother Lane tallied three assists for the Montreal Canadiens on April 1, 2025.
Hutson, who recently said he believes he isn’t playing well enough, is on pace to record 70 points (23g, 47a) this season, which would surpass the 66 points Lane put up for Montreal when he won the 2025 Calder Trophy. Only two rookie defenders have ever had a 70-point season: Larry Murphy (76) in 1980-81 and Brian Leetch (71) in 1988-89.
The 20-year-old Hutson will look to extend his career-best point streak and add to his rookie-scoring lead against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday night. Hutson has played the Lightning only once in his 32-game career and has not yet recorded a point against them.
