The New Jersey Devils knew they might be getting a good player when they signed Will Butcher as a free agent. Even they probably weren’t expecting one of the hottest starts by an NHL defenseman in recent memory, though.
Will Butcher records 2nd-most assists by NHL rookie in 1st 6 games since 1988
And the only guy ahead of him was a 31-year-old Russian superstar.
Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
Butcher recorded his ninth assist of the season on a Drew Stafford goal in the Devils’ game against the Lightning on Tuesday, their sixth of the season. He’s now posted the most assists by any defenseman, and the second-most assists by any player, in their first six NHL games over the past 30 years, per Hockey-Reference’s Play Index.
It’s an incredible start for a player who was on the open market just a couple months ago. Butcher starred at Denver as a senior, winning the Hobey Baker Trophy and leading the Pioneers to a national championship, but even in training camp it wasn’t clear how he would fit into the Devils’ lineup.
Now there’s little doubt that Butcher is a key part of this team. Other than Sergei Makarov, who was a 31-year-old Russian superstar making his NHL debut in 1990, no player has recorded more assists in his first six games in the last three decades. Butcher’s nine points is also the most by a defenseman over the same period. It’s the same number of points that Sidney Crosby had in his first six games.
Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
Butcher may not be a top-pairing defenseman yet — he only averages 15:44 of ice time and less than one shot on goal per game — and he may never get there. But as a 22-year-old making the immediate leap from the college game to the NHL, he’s shown the hockey I.Q. and deft touch with the puck to create plays and be a producer from the backend.
The goal on Tuesday was not the first time Butcher has set up Stafford, who praised the rookie blue liner recently to NJ.com.
“He’s a good player,” Stafford said. “You guys are seeing that. Doesn’t really surprise me anymore. He’s a heck of a player, so for him to have the success that he’s had so far — granted, it’s power play — but that’s something I feel like he can ride as far as he can.”
Butcher’s numbers may slow down soon, but he’s already done enough to cement his place in New Jersey. It’s a big part of why the Devils have been one of the league’s surprise teams so far.
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