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DECEMBER 15, 2005 - Calder Candidates
2005-2006 presents the NHL with one its finest classes of rookies in recent memory.
Sidney Crosby, drafted first overall by Pittsburgh earlier this year, was the most talked-about rookie since Eric Lindros. Unbelievably, the 18-year-old Center is proving to be well worth the hype. Dubbed "The Next One" by the media, Crosby plays along side a 40-year-old legend in Mario Lemieux. Although the Pens have disappointed the fading fanbase, Crosby has not-- averaging a point-a-game through the first third of the season. Sid 'The Kid" has displayed a hockey sense far beyond his years. His offensive awareness and play-making ability would lead you to believe he has played in this league for decades, and yet he hasn't even been alive that long. Crosby's stick-handling ability and scoring touch rank among the best in the world.
The first overall pick in 2004, Alexander Ovechkin, has been lighting the lamp consistently for the Washington Capitals. Ovechkin, 19, is already one of the most exceptional all-around players in the league. Alex "The Great" shows as much consistency with scoring goals as he does taking the body. Fearless on the ice, Ovechkin brings a tough physical game to pair up with his phenomenal finesse. The passion and intensity of this youngster are on par with the most seasoned and skilled veterans in the league. He plays Left Wing on Washington's top line, and has unquestionably been his team's most valuable player thus far.
A darkhorse in the race for Rookie of the Year comes from New York by way of Sweden. Henrik Lundqvist, 23, had proven himself on the international level before taking the NHL by storm. In 04-05, Lundqvist led the Frolunda Indians to the Swedish Elite League Championship, going 12-2 in the post-season with a 1.05 Goals Against Average, and a .962 Save Percentage. This year, his early season heroics have made him an instant crowd favorite at Madison Square Garden. Henrik is a huge reason behind the Rangers surprising success, and is beginning to hear his name mentioned with Crosby and Ovechkin as one of the sensational first-year NHLers.
In addition to "the big three," there are several others throughout the league worthy of mentioning. Dion Phaneuf in Calgary and Brent Seabrook in Chicago are two of the best new defenseman out there. Both players are integral parts of their teams power play, and are logging large amounts of ice time to shut down the oppositions top lines. Petr Prucha of the Rangers and Marek Svatos in Colorado are both extremely talented Right Wingers from the Czech Republic in their NHL debuts. Prucha and Svatos join Crosby and Ovechkin to comprise the select group of NHL rookies with goal totals already reaching the teens. Two other names worth mentioning are Alex Steen, Toronto Center, and Tomas Vanek, Buffalo Left Wing; each player has already picked up 20 points in the young season. As things continue to unfold, the leading candidate(s) will likely develop more clarity. However, with the amount of exceptional prodigies in the league, it is not going to be an easy decision when choosing who walks away with this year's Calder Trophy.