Arseny Gritsyuk might be sitting 10th in the NHL rookie scoring race, but don’t let that number fool you-his impact on the New Jersey Devils runs much deeper than the stat sheet suggests.
Through 48 games this season, Gritsyuk has posted nine goals and 12 assists, totaling 21 points. Solid numbers for a first-year player adjusting to the North American game, but they only scratch the surface of what he’s brought to this Devils squad.
Logging just under 15 minutes of ice time per game (14:57 to be exact), Gritsyuk has carved out a consistent role in a Devils lineup that’s been searching for secondary scoring and stability. His 44.4% faceoff win rate isn’t eye-popping, and his -5 plus/minus rating shows there’s still work to be done in the defensive zone, but his offensive activity-106 shots on goal so far-speaks to a player who’s not afraid to create chances.
To put his production in context, he’s currently eighth on the team in both goals and assists, and tied for seventh in total points alongside Connor Brown. Not bad for a 24-year-old rookie making the leap from international play to the NHL grind. His transition has been impressively smooth, especially considering the adjustment period many players face when coming over from overseas.
What’s really stood out, though, is how well Gritsyuk has meshed with his current linemates, Cody Glass and Lenni Hämeenaho. That trio has started to click in recent games, showcasing Gritsyuk’s ability to adapt his game and complement different playing styles. Whether it’s finding soft spots in the offensive zone or making the extra pass to keep a play alive, he’s proving he can be more than just a scorer-he’s a facilitator and a connector on the ice.
And if you zoom out beyond the Devils’ locker room, Gritsyuk’s value becomes even clearer. According to league tracking, he currently leads all NHL players in individual impact on shot attempts.
That’s a huge indicator of how often his presence on the ice tilts play in his team’s favor. He might not be racking up points at the same pace as Ivan Demidov-who leads rookies with 42 points in 52 games-but Gritsyuk is making his minutes count in meaningful ways.
At this point in the season, with 52 games in the books, it’s fair to say Gritsyuk has done more than just earn his spot-he’s become a quietly vital piece of the Devils’ puzzle. Whether or not he climbs the rookie leaderboard, he’s already proven he belongs.