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I came across this article today, outlining the ten best rookie seasons. Among the names mentioned of the current rookies, is Penguins player, Sidney Crosby. I felt the organization went a little ***-ho when he started, seeing as they were comparing him to Lemieux and Gretzky. But from the article, he or one of the other outstanding rookies, may be up for a top 10 spot.
Due to the lockout, two rookie classes (2004, 2005) are providing plenty of excitement in the NHL this season. Alexander Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby, Peter Prucha, Dion Phaneuf, Marek Svatos and Henrik Lundqvist are enjoying outstanding debut campaigns. By season's end, if not sooner, we may conclude that one or more members of this crop should be included when compiling a list of the best rookie seasons of all time.
Indeed, there have been many memorable rookies in NHL history. So many, in fact, that selecting the 10 best among the Calder winners resulted in painful omissions that are sure to elicit debate. What cannot be denied is the impact some of these players had on their teams.
In order to be considered for this list, players had to be eligible for the Calder Trophy, the hardware awarded to the NHL's rookie of the year (which is why Wayne Gretzky's 137-point season in 1979-80 is not included here). The criteria for being Calder-eligible has changed over the years, but the magnitude of these players' seasons has not.
The NHL's top 10 rookie seasons
1. Tony Esposito, G, 1969-70, Blackhawks
2. Mike Bossy, RW, 1977-78, Islanders
3. Teemu Selanne, RW, 1992-93, Jets
4. Terry Sawchuk, G, 1950-51, Red Wings
5. Ken Dryden, G, 1971-72, Canadiens
6. Ray Bourque, D, 1979-80, Bruins
7. Dale Hawerchuk, C, 1981-82, Jets
8. Peter Stastny, C, 1980-81, Nordiques
9. Joe Nieuwendyk, C, 1987-88, Flames
10. Brian Leetch, D, 1988-89, Rangers
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Due to the lockout, two rookie classes (2004, 2005) are providing plenty of excitement in the NHL this season. Alexander Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby, Peter Prucha, Dion Phaneuf, Marek Svatos and Henrik Lundqvist are enjoying outstanding debut campaigns. By season's end, if not sooner, we may conclude that one or more members of this crop should be included when compiling a list of the best rookie seasons of all time.
Indeed, there have been many memorable rookies in NHL history. So many, in fact, that selecting the 10 best among the Calder winners resulted in painful omissions that are sure to elicit debate. What cannot be denied is the impact some of these players had on their teams.
In order to be considered for this list, players had to be eligible for the Calder Trophy, the hardware awarded to the NHL's rookie of the year (which is why Wayne Gretzky's 137-point season in 1979-80 is not included here). The criteria for being Calder-eligible has changed over the years, but the magnitude of these players' seasons has not.
The NHL's top 10 rookie seasons
1. Tony Esposito, G, 1969-70, Blackhawks
2. Mike Bossy, RW, 1977-78, Islanders
3. Teemu Selanne, RW, 1992-93, Jets
4. Terry Sawchuk, G, 1950-51, Red Wings
5. Ken Dryden, G, 1971-72, Canadiens
6. Ray Bourque, D, 1979-80, Bruins
7. Dale Hawerchuk, C, 1981-82, Jets
8. Peter Stastny, C, 1980-81, Nordiques
9. Joe Nieuwendyk, C, 1987-88, Flames
10. Brian Leetch, D, 1988-89, Rangers
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