We might be just 20 games into the 2011-2012 rookie race, but there’ve already been some flat-out stunners. With several marquee freshmen handed plum jobs in their teams’ top-sixes, it’s boom-or-bust time. Here are four of the biggest surprises – good and bad – so far.
Mikael Backlund, Ice Harbor Storm
Backlund is a 2009 draftee who saw 23 games last year (0 goals, 4 assists). This season, with a young Ice Harbor team that’s thin up the middle, he’s had a chance to play a big role. And while the Storm have struggled (6-13-1), Backlund’s played well with second-line minutes, notching 8 goals and 6 assists on the quarter.
Taylor Hall, Great Lakes Pilots
First overall Jeff Skinner has had a decent start for 8-11-1 Nashville, with 12 points in his first 20 games. But where’s second overall Taylor Hall? He’s playing big minutes for the Great Lakes Pilots but has managed just 3 goals and 3 assists so far, is being outscored by teammates like Darren Helm, and sits at a team-worst -11.
Michael Grabner, Baltimore Crab
The fleet Austrian was drafted in 2010 by Vancouver and immediately dealt for a second rounder in 2011, who would become winger Kyle Palmieri. After spending all of last season on reserve, Grabner has started this season well with the Baltimore Crab, with 11 goals in his first 20 games.
Sergei Bobrovsky, Nashville Knights
Bobrovsky was taken 21st overall in 2011 and the expectation was that he’d step in and backstop a young but very talented Nashville team to playoff contention. But no one’s going anywhere with numbers like his: a 4.30 GAA and .887 save percentage. Bobrovsky has been soundly outplayed by Cory Schneider (4 games, 1.76, .927).
Points – Rookies
PLAYER TEAM GP PTS Grabner BAL 20 14 Backlund IHS 20 14 Skinner NAS 20 12 Eberle IHS 20 12 Ennis SCA 20 9 Subban NAS 20 9 Stepan DEL 20 8 McQuaid BAL 20 8 Desharnais SCA 20 8 T.Hall GLP 20 6 Goals - Rookies PLAYER TEAM GP G Grabner BAL 20 11 Skinner NAS 20 8 Backlund IHS 20 8 Subban NAS 20 5 Seguin WPG 20 5 Eberle IHS 20 5 Desharnais SCA 20 5 Ennis SCA 20 4 Stepan DEL 20 4 Johansson BOS 10 3
