Just askin' here. Are you guys OK with Panarin being classified as a "rookie"? Isn't it high time we drop the "NHL is the only real pro league in the world" thing and admitted that Panarin is no rookie? The KHL really is a 'pro' hockey league? I can accept that maybe it's just old me, but I think Larkin (or possibly even McDavid) are getting 'screwed'.
How about you guys?
@radoran
I hear you. I can still clearly recall the awful arguments and name-calling that went on when this issue came up originally. Maybe we should leave a sleeping dog lie?
I'm just agreeing with what Scott said. He was already an established pro, not a true rookie. IMHO that's why he has the 'record'.
I'm also saying I agree that using whatever the NHL's 'criteria' was, Gretzky should have won in his rookie year as Scott also said. Typical NHL.
To be fair Selanne was not a rookie per se. He was an NHL rookie, yes, but a 'rookie'? No. If you take him out of the picture (the NHL should have done that back then), who is next?
This team has to stop the Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde thing. They have zero talent and if they don't play hard every game and every shift they will get their head handed to them.
Great piece, Prof. As a Leafs fan I am glad to see them getting their due. I also point out that they made the biggest move of all the teams, and in the correct direction. Carey price is back and I bet next month will find the Habs on the top (bottom) of this list. The biggest surprise so far, to me, is the Buffalo Sabres. I was sure they'd finish dead last this year but it doesn't look that way at the moment..
How the NHL landscape has changed over the years. Leafs have no scoring at all. But, Habs #1? Seriously? And I think you should flip #6 and #7. Parity = mediocrity = boring.... NHL = No Hitting League. We need a juggernaut to make things interesting.....
One of my all-time favourite teams to watch. As much of a Leafs fan as I was then (and still am), I really enjoyed watching these guys play. That was hockey! Led by Bernie Parent and Bob Clarke. Sorry to see those days go.....