Top NHL rookies of the 2010-11 Season
Taylor Hall (Edmonton Oilers’ Left Wing) who has the number one overall pick in the 2010 NHL Draft, didn't score his first goal until his 7th professional hockey game. Hall
is getting tons of attention, but it may take some time for him to adjust to the NHL. Not everyone can be Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who lit up the league for 39 goals and 63 assists in his 2005-06 rookie campaign. The NHL rookies of 2010-11
are deep and talented. Here are the names of 5 Players (not named Taylor Hall) that hockey fans and fantasy hockey owners should know for this year and beyond.
1. Jeff Skinner, Carolina Hurricanes’ Right Wing
Jeff Skinner led all rookies in points through the first month plus of the season. Skinner, who is making an early bid for the Calder Trophy, has recently hit a skid
by going three consecutive games without a point. Skinner has 19 points so far in this NHL Season that makes him an unwonted player in the League. Only Carolina's team captain, Eric Staal, has more points (25) than Skinner (19). Skinner continued his impressive
rookie campaign with a game-winning goal and an assist on the power play in 3-0 win over Boston on November 26 In the 2010 Ontario Hockey League playoffs, Skinner tied for the league lead in goals (20) and finished tied for second overall in points (33) behind
Windsor Spitfires Taylor Hall (No. 2 ranked). Skinner has good handling skills and accurate shot. He is an immediate impact player and fantasy hockey contributor.
2. Tyler Seguin, Boston Bruins’ Center
Tyler Seguin has four goals and three assists through 19 games, which projects to only 38 points thus far. However, some scouts rank him higher than Taylor Hall, whom he beat out for the
Red Tilson Trophy as the Ontario Hockey Leagues' outstanding player (OHL) for the 2009-10 season. He finished the regular season tied for the league lead with 106 points (48-58--106), becoming the first player in Plymouth franchise history to lead the OHL
in scoring. His 48 goals in 63 games ranked third in the OHL in 2009-10. Sequin has displayed flashes of his offensive upside, in particular with his explosive speed and dangerous shot.
3. John Carlson, Washington Capitals’ Defenseman
Among the NHL rookies, John Carlson leads Capitals’ defensemen at +8 so far. He has points in back-to-back games (1g-1a) and leads the team in blocked shots. Unlike some of the other promising
rookies this season, John Carlson is a mature 20 year old with experience playing in the American Hockey League in addition to the World Junior Hockey Championship (WJHC). Carlson is the player who scored the game-winning goal in overtime of the 2010 WJHC
Gold Medal game to beat Canada. That should help him make a smooth transition to the NHL and contribute to fantasy hockey teams.
4. Jordan Eberle, Edmonton Oilers’ Right Wing
Jordan Eberle (Taylor Hall’s fellow rookie teammate) is adjusting just fine to the NHL. Eberle had a goal and an assist against Calgary Flames on October 7 in his first NHL game and was
named first star. He has been ranked 5th overall in Western Hockey League (WHL) scoring with 42 goals and tied for 2nd overall with 9 game-winning goals this season.
5. Tyler Ennis, Buffalo Sabres’ Left Wing
Tyler Ennis (5ft 9”) is similar in stature and skill set to Tampa Bay Lightning's Martin St. Louis (A fast and determined skater; his amateur hockey resume is long and impressive). Ennis
scored three goals in 4 games from November 10 – November 15. He was named to the 2008 Eastern Conference First All-Star Team after finishing second in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with 43 goals and 4th overall with 91 points. Drafted 26th overall
by the Sabres, Ennis is going to be a star.
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