The Rookie of the Year has got to be the Sherpa's favourite distinction in the league. The new up-and-coming talent in the league gives us all something to look after all the old dinosaurs retire... yeah, I'm talking to you,
Chris Chelios. Wednesday's announcement of the rookie crop wasn't a big surprise, really. Although Don Cherry's rant about Carey Price being there did make a lot of sense, unfortunately it wasn't to be.
Well, he was the Sherpa's pre-season favourite for the Calder Trophy, but some injuries really held him back this season.
Jonathan Toews came in with a boatload of expectations and talent to match, but he missed 18 games during the year. He still finished third in rookie scoring with 54 points, including a rookie-high 24 goals. His sophomore year will be something else by the looks of things.
Earning the chance to play with the league's best player on a nightly basis is certainly worth mentioning in the rookie category and
Nicklas Backstrom had that distinction bestowed upon him this year. Backstrom took over for
Michael Nylander midway through the season as the Capitals number one centre and made great use of his time there. Backstrom finished the year with 69 points (14G, 55A) in all 82 games this season, but he falls short, ever so slightly.
Taking the scoring lead of a rock bottom team and making the team his own is quite the accomplishment, which makes
Patrick Kane the Sherpa's choice for the Calder Trophy. He led all rookies with 72 points (21G, 51A) and really showed off some serious talent in Chicago. Since he didn't really have a big superstar to aid him and played on an opposite line with his rookie teammate, so his numbers looked pretty darn good.
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