There are so many intriguing stories set to play out this year, over the 2009-2010 NHL season. One of the more interesting stories will be the rookie of the year race (let’s face it, can we can’t spend another year waiting to see if Marian Hossa made the right choice signing in Chicago).
While I don’t believe this summer’s draft was a strong as the year previous – the 2008 draft saw Steve Stamkos, Drew Doughty, Zach Bogosian, Tyler Myers, Luke Schenn round out the first five selections – 2009’s draft was still a very strong draft. Of course John Tavares went first (did anyone seriously think the New York Islanders and Garth Snow would select anyone else?) and Matt Duchene’s dream came true, being selected by his favourite team growing up (Colorado Avalanche). And Brian Burke didn’t get Brayden Schenn (the Los Angeles Kings drafted him). That was funny.
So who of that crop will be this year’s rookie of the year? Will it be someone else drafted in a previous year? My colleague, Fantana, already did a great job of previewing this season’s rookies. But without a doubt, I think the Tampa Bay Lightning’s 2nd overall pick, Victor Hedman, will be this year’s rookie of the year.
Victor Hedman - this year's NHL rookie of the year?
Victor Hedman – Tampa Bay Lightning
By far the most ‘NHL-ready’ player from this season’s draft, Hedman is probably the biggest (new) defenseman set to debut in the NHL (Tyler Myers of the Buffalo Sabres comes close). Aside from his experience in the Swedish Elite League, Hedman is set up to succeed with a team the Lightning can actually be competitive with this season. Having Hedman play along side Mattias Ohlund will help with is transition to North-American hockey, as well as off ice adjustments. In part, for Hedman to succeed, goals need to be generated by the forwards and Tampa has a few stars – Vincent Lecavalier, Marty St. Louis, and Steve Stamkos. Add in players like Ryan Malone and you have a balanced attack. I think Hedman needs to develop a bigger mean streak (he should probably watch more videos of Chris Pronger in the playoffs) and if he can, his mobility, size, and skill will all flourish. I like John Tavares, but in New York, he’ll have to do everything on his own. I don’t believe the Islanders have insultated Tavares as well as the Tampa Bay Lightning have with Victor Hedman. The pressure will be significantly lower than Tavares and the weaker Southeast division may play a little role in stat-padding for Hedman, too.
Victor Hedman will be the NHL’s 2009-2010 rookie of the year. Who’s your pick?
Stay classy, NHL rookies.
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Nice call on Hedman, after the dust settles and the world realizes that Tavares isn’t quite the great Ontario hope then Hedman will get his due. I’m still laughing that Burke didn’t get Brett Lindros, er, I mean Brayden Schenn.
Cody… Hodgson.
Case closed.
@ Opiated: I thought about Hodgson a bit… and I like what Vancouver are doing and the kinds of players they are bringing in. I think they need one more legitimate (read: not Mats Sundin) top 6 forward.
@ SL: Harsh. I like it. I think Tavares will be great, but he can’t do everything by himself. Not when other great defenseman in the East include Chara, Schenn, Myers, Suban, Markov… Redden (that was definitely a joke) – you get the idea.
Ya the Islanders are still a young team and nowhere near challenging. Tavares will be good and I’m a huge fan of his but like Stamkos it’ll probably take a while for him to break out on a team like the Isles. Hedman came in the perfect time with the Lightning. The more I think about it the less I think Tampa will be out of playoffs contention next year
I like the Hodgson pick and Hedman will have a great season as well. However, I’m going off the board on this one. I’m picking James van Riemsdyk from Philadelphia to win the Calder Trophy.
Don’t forget that Simeon Varlamov of Washington is technically still considered a rookie and he could challenge for the top rookie award.
I think Hedman is going to have a good season–but something to think about. Its EXTREMELY hard for a defenseman to get recognition for the Calder. Drew Doughty was on the Kings PK, PP and led them in ice-time last season. He was on the ice for every single important shit of the game, and he wasnt even a finalist.
On top of that, Doughty had the the advantage of being a known quantity. With his play in the WJC, alot of members of the media already had him on their radar. They knew what to expect with him. Hedman doest have the same “hometown” type advantage. I’m not saying that he wont be deserving, but I’d be shocked if he earned the recognition.
Cody Hodgson looks like a good pick. From this year’s draft, keep an eye on Matt Duchene… he’s going to have every opportunity to succeed.
Hey Matt! I think the biggest difference between Doughty and Hedman will be the fact that Doughty plays on the west coast and Hedman on the east. Its well known that the media doesn’t seen as much of the western conference as the east and I don’t care what anyone says, it affects their voting! I think that’s the bigger block (rather than a defenseman winning the trophy).
Fantana has been talking up Hodgson all weekend… he could easily contend for the Calder.
As far as Duchene, do you see him making it? I’m not sure he plays in the NHL this year.
I see VanRiesdyk making a run at it, philly has a lot of firepower and will likely rub off on this kid. Unfortunately for Hedman, hes going to a team where players go to die. As for Duchene and Tavares, they may have tricks under their sleeves but this is the NHL not junior hockey. They’ll probably be no better than Stamkos was last year, especially with no supporting cast on those weak teams. The reason why they were top picks….
@ Genius – So its not just a cleaver name? (Sorry about the Wayne’s World reference.) My only concern with JVR is Philly’s depth. Where will he play in their line up? Is he good enough for top 6 minutes? I don’t think he’s guaranteed top 9 minutes. He won’t be that effective getting 8 minutes or less a game.
That’s basically why I picked Hedman – he’s guaranteed top 4 minutes and is well insulated with Meszaros,Walker and Ohlund.
People, John Tavares is the 2010 rookie of the year.
I’d say its down to him, JVR, and Matt Duchene.
matt duchene as nhl rookie of the year in colorado..everyone including myself, (who is a self proclaimed die hard avs fan), predicted this team to tank miserably. the emergence of duchene and the play of anderson play a large part in how quickly this team has begun to rebuild. super fast skater ! intelligent with and without the puck. a better all aroung player by far that tavares. will win the rookie scoring race unless injured..DUCHENE for the Calder…
@ Clarksy To think how far Duchene has come in a year (remember he how wasn’t good enough for the Canadian WJC team) in incredible. And I think he’ll show similar growth in the NHL. His defensive play (check out his +/-) leaves something to be desired, but he’s still a kid and will learn.
But, right now Tyler Myers gets my Calder vote – over Tavares and Duchene.
Hedman has not been stand out at all. Tyler Meyers has surpassed him by far and there are two other rookie D’s in front of him in points.
As an Avs fan I’m going to pull for Duchene getting the Calder. He and Tavares are tied for points right now, though Tavares has more goals and Duchene has more assists.
Yeah, but call on my part about Hedman. I agree Myers has to be the favorite at this point, with Duchene and Tavares closely behind. Thanks Lola!
You people forget that Jimmy Howard is in this race very very deeply also…………..
I think either tavares or duchene. U gotta think though that duchene has a pretty good team and iles r pretty bad. The tampa bay might have a goalie in the race Tokarski he was good going in for ninamayki stopped all 12 shots if they give him more games i think he could be in good contenton also if the lighting smatin up and give him the chance and myers might allso have a chance best d ive seen ina while
By the way. Matt Duchene is leading rookies in points with 34.
Isn’t he amazing? Duchene seems to be getting better as the year goes on. His buzz at the draft last year grew like wildfire and now I’m getting it. I always thought he was great, but I didn’t think he was or could be a franchise player.
No mention of Nicklas Bergfors? Guy’s been doing real well in New Jersey. Think a case could be made for him.
Good point, Rich. To be fair, this article was written in September when I had zero idea who Bergfors was.
If I were to rewrite the article now, Bergfors would certainly be in the running… although at this moment, I have Myers pegged to win this with Duchene closely following. In the 3rd/4th spot would be Bergfors and Tavares.
Jimmy Howard
matt duchene is the rookie points leader. however he plays for a playoff contender.. Tavares has put up 17 goals/ and assists for a bottom dwelling ny islanders. Taveras been in a major slump but those are very respectable numbers for a terrible team. My choice would be Hedman for rookie of the year. If taveras can add some points and possibly get the isles in playoff contention then be hard not to go with him