Joe Soriano
O.J. Lewis2010 PSW Calder Trophy
April 18th 2011 14:43
The NHL season is over, and I am going to kick off my awards with the NHL's rookie of the year. The Calder Memorial Trophy is given to this player, and there were a few deserving candidates like Jeff Skinner, Logan Couture, and Michael Grabner. Only one of these great rookies can win this award, but they will all shape the landscape of the NHL for years to come.
Carolina Hurricanes Center Jeff Skinner
Skinner led all rookies with 63 points, and Skinner also had the 2nd highest shooting percentage of all rookies that have played at least 50 games. Jeff Skinner has earned the respect of his teammates and has already become influential in the Canes' locker room. He's got a lot of potential still, and he has been the most complete rookie on the ice so far this year. No rookie matched Skinner's five games with at least 3 points.
Although Logan Couture scored more goals and Michael Grabner had more assists, Skinner was able to balance both scoring and passing to become one of the best options on a team that features superstar Eric Staal, Jussi Jokinen, and Tuomo Ruutu. Skinner, Staal, and Ruutu make up one of the best center trios in the entire league. Still, Skinner had the second most points on the Hurricanes as well as the best shooting percentage on the team of all players with at least 20 games played. Jeff Skinner showed that he is already cool in the clutch with a team leading 40 percent conversion rate in the shootout (minimum 4 attempts).
The 18 year-old center became the first player of that age to make the All-Star team since Steve Yzerman, and that's only a mere fraction of it. Jeff Skinner became the youngest player in all four major American professional sports to make an All-Star team. That's impressive. Skinner is a great goal-scorer that knows the game really well, especially for a young rookie, and he has good leg strength which makes it difficult to push him down. Skinner will play the physical game even though he may not be the tallest guy out there at 5-10.
Carolina Hurricanes Center Jeff Skinner
Skinner led all rookies with 63 points, and Skinner also had the 2nd highest shooting percentage of all rookies that have played at least 50 games. Jeff Skinner has earned the respect of his teammates and has already become influential in the Canes' locker room. He's got a lot of potential still, and he has been the most complete rookie on the ice so far this year. No rookie matched Skinner's five games with at least 3 points.
Although Logan Couture scored more goals and Michael Grabner had more assists, Skinner was able to balance both scoring and passing to become one of the best options on a team that features superstar Eric Staal, Jussi Jokinen, and Tuomo Ruutu. Skinner, Staal, and Ruutu make up one of the best center trios in the entire league. Still, Skinner had the second most points on the Hurricanes as well as the best shooting percentage on the team of all players with at least 20 games played. Jeff Skinner showed that he is already cool in the clutch with a team leading 40 percent conversion rate in the shootout (minimum 4 attempts).
The 18 year-old center became the first player of that age to make the All-Star team since Steve Yzerman, and that's only a mere fraction of it. Jeff Skinner became the youngest player in all four major American professional sports to make an All-Star team. That's impressive. Skinner is a great goal-scorer that knows the game really well, especially for a young rookie, and he has good leg strength which makes it difficult to push him down. Skinner will play the physical game even though he may not be the tallest guy out there at 5-10.
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