This is the second in our five-part series, looking at the contenders for the NHL’s major awards, as we pass the three-quarters mark of the 2011-2012 NHL schedule.
Yesterday, we looked at the leading bench bosses and designated Ottawa Senators’ coach Paul MacLean as the favorite to win the 2012 Jack Adams Trophy.
Today we’re looking at the next wave of National Hockey League stars – the rookies.
Calder Memorial Trophy (Rookie of the Year):
5) Cody Hodgson, Centre, Vancouver Canucks – Ranks third among rookies in goals (16) and fifth in points (33). Was surprising shipped out of Vancouver at the trade deadline for big-winger Zack Kassian. Trade to Buffalo could lead to more ice-time and, maybe, a late season Calder run.
4) Justin Faulk, Defense, Carolina Hurricanes – Leads all rookies in average time on ice (22:43) and ranks first in goals (7) and second in points (17) among rookie rearguards, trailing only Toronto’s Jake Gardiner. Already a big part of Carolina’s blueline.
3) Adam Henrique, Centre, New Jersey Devils – The surprise scoring leader among rookies with 41 points, including a rookie-class leading 26 assists. An all situation performer, who’s earned the trust of his teammates and coaches as evidenced by his 4 short-handed goals, the most by any first year player.
2) Gabriel Landeskog, Left Wing, Colorado Avalanche – The #2 overall pick in the 2011 draft started slow, but has really come on strong during the second half of the season. Sits second in scoring among rookies with 40 points and share’s the goal scoring lead with Matt Read of the Flyers (18). Maybe his most eye-popping numbers are his +/- rating (+21) and shots on goal total (209), where he leads all freshman in both categories by a wide margin.
1) Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Centre, Edmonton Oilers – The top pick in last June’s draft would have wrapped this award up long ago if not for a shoulder injury that cost him 20 games. With 38 points in his first 43 NHL games, Nugent-Hopkins was on pace for 70+ points before being sidelined. Healthy again, the talented pivot should regain the rookie scoring lead and capture his first of what could be many NHL awards.
Why the Leafs should pay any price for Rick Nash
Now I don’t always agree with Sportsnet’s Doug MacLean (even if he does come from the best place on earth), but I think he’s right when he says that the Toronto Maple Leafs should do whatever it takes to acquire Columbus Blue Jackets’ captain Rick Nash.
Since Brian Burke became the General Manager of the Leafs, he’s looked for the one big piece every successful franchise needs to build a Stanley Cup contender around. He was so desperate for that one special player that he made an ill advised deal with Boston for Phil Kessel. Kessel has turned into a fine player, but you’d have to think a rebuilding franchise with Dougie Hamilton and Tyler Seguin in the fold would be better off, long term. Plus, no matter how talented he is, Phil the thrill doesn’t meet the definition of a classic franchise player.
But, as Maclean says, Rick Nash is the type of player that comes around once in the career of an NHL general manager. He’s a true franchise player and trading for him shows your players, your fans and the rest of the league that you are serious about building a team that can bring the first Stanley Cup to Toronto since 1967.
So if the package required includes Jake Gardiner, or Luke Schenn or Nazem Kadri, or Matt Frattin or the Leafs 1st round pick or all of the above, Burke has to ponder it for a moment and then quicky say “Ok”.
Because opportunities to acquire a true franchise type player, just entering his prime, who was born within your own metropolitan area, don’t come all every day.
This is Brian Burke’s chance to change the fortunes of the Leafs franchise forever and make a bold step to fulfill his promise of bringing a championship team to Canada’s largest city.
It’s a good deal – no matter what the cost.