It's a Canadian Game

I've been hearing Ruff's name around a lot of places such as New York, Vancouver, and Dallas but I oddly haven't heard much in terms of Ron Wilson, which I find odd. It seems Ruff and Vigneault have been names rumoured to be coming close to finding other work with other teams. It will be interesting to see if Wilson's starts getting more attention. I am a Leaf fan and though he never brought us to the post-season I was always a fan of Ron Wilson.

It has been a trend all season in my eyes, but on the big stage it seemed even more obvious. Dion does not hustle when he should, he consistently coughs up the puck and is all around a liability in his own end. He is overrated in my eyes (and according to a poll by the NHL last year, everyone else) He is not worth 6 million. He could be used to bring in a top 6 forward to play with Kessel or elsewhere. I think he has to go captain or not what do you think?

Yes I am a Leaf fan!

a rough outing tonight, but when the team is outshot 45-23 and Neiderberger is still named the game's number one star you can't put blame on the tender. Colts to find that offensive spark and have a solid game tomorrow in Barrie.

GO COLTS GO!

GO COLTS GO!

What blows my mind is the linesman was sitting right there on the line watching it. Did you have your whistle on mute? and the other thing that frustrates me is the point made that if Nashville says anything they will get fined. That's ridiculous, when the NHL does something like that it makes it look like their on the linesman's side, which to me says they don't care that they screwed up and cost Colorado the game and a very important 2 points. .... just no excuses for that

Interesting, I always knew that there was some kind of cut off and a certain amount of games, but I had never really looked into it. Thanks for that.

I would agree that the Sabres have been a one line team. Guys such as Vanek, Pominville, Hodgson, and Miller have been steady, but one player who seems to be lost now and I have been surprised when watching him (when I watch them play the Leafs) is Tyler Myers. He is turning the puck over a lot he isn't being the offensive dinomo he can be and he seems fairly slow (which comes with his big size).

Now one thing I think could be done, and I don't think it is the biggest reason for their poor play, is bring in a new coach. Ruff has been a decent coach, but what worries me for the Sabres is that he has been with the team for years and they haven't done anything exceptional besides making it to the cup final in '97. Coaches in this league get fired all the time for a lot less, Ruff has become a favourite among the players and fans alike but I think maybe a new face behind the bench might bring a spark to the Sabres lineup.

@jammer2 I'd agree, but would Holtby still be considered a rookie? He was Washington's back up last year and played the entire playoffs for them.

@yave1964 turns out Gallagher is now out with a concussion, I guess that goes any hope he had at the title

ACG....would you like this topic to have a poll?

I would love that, I tried to for the blog, but it isn't working

yea as a Leaf fan I disagree with Gallagher.. jks jks Yea kid looks good, had a nice goal against Philly last night. Also i definitely think I should have added Dougie Hamilton to the list, hes been stellar for Boston

*I wanted to blog this, but it wouldn't post, but still wanted to get it out there... let me know what you think*

Even though we are only about a month into the NHL season we have already seen many rookie players make huge strides and contributions to their NHL teams. With these hot starts, many young names are already receiving some consideration for rookie of the year honours. So with that in mind, let’s have a look at a few of the players likely to receive Calder Cup consideration come seasons end.

Vladimir Tarasenko (St. Louis Blues) RW

Tarasenko has probably been the biggest surprise among this year’s rookie class as he has come out of the gate flying. Tarasenko opened the season with an impressive 10 points in his first 8 games. Now although Tarasenko has since cooled down, recording just 1 point in his last 5 games, he has been a solid force for the Blues.

Tarasenko is a -2; however this stat doesn’t seem too bad, especially when you consider that only four players on the Blues roster have a plus rating. The speedy Russian has also given a boost to the Blues’ powerplay, chipping in for two goals this season. Tarasenko has tremendous offensive upside and if the Blues hope to return to the post season they might need to rely on this young forward’s soft hands.

Damien Brunner (Detroit Red Wings) C

Brunner has been another big surprise for the Red Wings. The Swiss native, like many great Red wings before him, seems to be the result of great scouting. Brunner was signed as a free agent on July 1^st last summer and 13 games into this season Brunner has already put up 6 goals and 9 points.

On January 21^st he showed the hockey world his true skill when he scored the shootout winner against the Columbus Blue Jackets on a move that was very reminiscent of fellow Red Wing teammate Pavel Datsyuk. Brunner is obviously fitting in in Detroit and playing amongst veterans like Datsyuk and Zetterberg can only help this 26 year old rookie strive this season and onward.

Brunner’s shootout goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets

Corey Conachor (Tampa Bay Lightning) C

Conacchor is a kid who seems to have come out of nowhere. Conachor made a splash last season as a rookie with the Norfolk Admirals, leading the league in scoring, being named AHL MVP, and rookie of the year honours. It now seems like Conachor hasn’t slowed down from this pace.

Conachor has 12 points in his first 13 games and leads the Lightning with two game winning goals. Conachor, like Brunner, was signed by the Lightning as a free agent and has provided some great secondary scoring, giving some relief to stars Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis.

Nail Yakupov (Edmonton Oilers) RW

Yakupov has already started his season with some controversy. Many players and media alike were upset about his goal celebration against the L.A. Kings earlier this season after he scored a beauty goal knocking the puck out of mid-air to tie the game with under four seconds to play. Whether you’re a fan or not though, there is no debating that Yakupov is a highly skilled forward and he is proving it.

Yakupov has amassed 5 goals and 8 points in his first 13 games and has not looked out of place playing on a very young Edmonton team. Despite having a team worst -7 plus/minus rating, Yakupov has been a stellar force on Edmonton’s powerplay, amassing 3 goals with the man advantage. Yakupov also leads the team with a 22% shooting percentage, meaning when he gets the chance Yakupov can bury the puck. Yakupov, along with the rest of the Oiler squad will continue to mature and grow accustom to the NHL and as they do Edmonton may be on the verge of a dynasty they haven’t seen since the Gretzky- Messier years.

Justin Schultz (Edmonton Oilers) D

At the end of last season Justin Schultz was part of a giant bidding war with almost every team hoping to acquire the talented defenseman’s services. After much negotiation Schultz signed with the Edmonton Oilers, many were surprised he would agree to sign with such a young team. However, Schultz tore up the AHL this season and has not looked out of place on the Oilers back end.

Schultz has helped to quarterback the Edmonton powerplay and so far has amassed 8 points in 11 games including a team best, 4 powerplay goals. Schultz has also averaged over 23 minutes of ice-time which also leads all Oiler skaters. Schultz in his first professional season has already become a staple on Edmonton’s backend and looks to be an important piece in Edmonton’s push to make the playoffs for the first time since 2006.

There is no question that these five players will likely go on to have very successful NHL careers and although the season is still very young, these five incredible talents are already turning heads. So, don’t be surprised if come June these names are given some serious Calder Trophy consideration.

Who do you think will win rookie of the year? Someone listed above or is someone else making a splash?

Some of this year’s rookies’ first goals

Well with Kipper CALGARY wouldn't have interest in Luongo, but rather than that I'd say anything else could be possible

Exactly

@flyercanuck I know, way to shut me up. That's the Subban I have been waiting for. For the first time since the tournament started I am feeling confident in Subban.

Yea unfortunately, I don't see Binnington starting now and Spott has made it clear that he is going to run with Subban, but like @flyercanuck and I said to start, Subban has not done anything spectacular and what has ok goaltending got Canada the last three years? Not gold

Canada is 2 games deep into the World Junior Championship and they have started with wins over Germany and Slovakia with scores 9-3 and 6-3. So far Subban has started both games (with the likelihood of playing out the entire tournament) and has allowed 3 goals on 28 shots in both games with a save percentage under .900. Subban has yet to look like the same goalie that fans have seen in Belleville this year. He had a shaky camp, putting up the worst numbers of the three goalies in camp. So, with his lack-luster performance to date is it too late to give Jordan Binnington (who looked good in his tune-up game against Sweden) or is it too late to bring him in now that Canada's final two games are against strong American and Russian teams?

@hf101 not if... when

One name that I always remember is Jordin Tootoo in 2003 watching him throwing his body all over the place and also chipping in on the scoreboard too. Plus the cheers of "Tootoo" in the stands and the nickname the "Tootoo Train". Definitely worth an honourable mention in my book.

Some good names, first I have to send a vote to my favourite player of all-time, Alexander Mogilny also Housley and Lafontaine were both amazing players putting up great numbers in Buffalo. And (although I hate him and still believe he was never as good as his numbers suggested) Dominik Hasek has some of the best goaltending stats of all-time with the largest chunk of his career spent in Buffalo so you have to give him a nod.

It would have been great if the guy gave him a hug back... haha

@yave1964 Good stuff man, really didn't know much of anything about the Flames so good to hear about a bunch of players that were unknown to me. Reading this I would say that Vail needs to very much be considered. I don't care who you are if you have, an at least close to, point per game career you obviously did something right and have some skill.

@Podein25 well good to hear

@flyercanuck first I must start off you're from Barrie, no kidding I'm from Innisfil. Secondly, it really is a shame that Keefe never became the player he looked like he could be, but it is great to hear that he is doing well. It's also a crying shame to see how Frost has completely screwed over the careers of 2 good guys. Danton is trying to get back in to hockey, but because of everything he has been through no one wants to take him on. Hope the best for both.

Go Colts Go!!

@flyercanuck oh yea, for the first time all year I kinda hope the lockout doesn't end til after the tournament. Canada will be stacked and hell if I need to wake up at 4:00 am to watch the games then so be it