From Kevin Allen of USA Today late yesterday afternoon:

“Have you seen a better crop of rookies than we have this year, because I know I haven’t,” St. Louis Blues President John Davidson said to me earlier today.

My answer is that I haven’t seen a rookie class that goes as deep as the 2008-09 group.

Anaheim’s Bobby Ryan is a rookie 30-goal scorer, and there are six other rookies with 20 or more goals. James Neal of Dallas has 24 goals and you never hear his name. Matt Hunwick is plus-18 on Boston’s defense and he has received no attention because Columbus goalie Steve Mason has been nearly invincible and Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne has been nearly as impressive. Ryan is also in contention for the Calder Trophy, and Boston’s Blake Wheeler will receive votes because he’s a 20-goal man, plus he’s plus-36.

Read Allen’s whole post at Mucking and Grinding here.

JD is right;  this class is better than many have realized.  Just reading all the quality players up above and you’d think these players have been around for a few years now.  The fact that Mason is going to win the Calder speaks to how good he has been, because Bobby Ryan looks like he is going to be a 40+ goal scorer for a long, long time and Pekka Rinne may end up getting the Predators into the playoffs.

Richard Pollock

Share
Published by
Richard Pollock

Recent Posts

Winnipeg Jets claim Kaapo Kahkonen off waivers; can immediately assign him to the Moose

With the Avs putting him on waivers the Jets have reclaimed the netminder they signed…

7 hours ago

Winnipeg Jets Afternoon Links

Getting you set up for tonight’s Jets game.

8 hours ago

Game 16: Winnipeg Jets vs New York Rangers pre-game report

A look at the projected lineup with all the latest game info.

11 hours ago

Winnipeg Jets Morning Papers

Keeping you up-to-date with all the latest pro hockey news in Manitoba.

14 hours ago