(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Written By: Mark “The Hard Hitter” Ritter

Before the 2009-10 NHL season began, the consensus pick for the NHL’s Rookie of the Year/Calder Trophy winner was John Tavares. Tavares, who was selected first overall by the New York Islanders in the 2008-09 NHL Entry Draft, came into the NHL with a tremendous resume and the reputation as being a tremendous competitor.

Tavares was thought to be the favorite, but it would not come without some competition. The other leading candidates to win the Calder Trophy were the Tampa Bay Lightening’s defenseman Victor Hedman and, to a lesser degree, the Colorado Avalanche’s forward Matt Duchesne, each player with tremendous resumes, each one with a great skill-set.

With most NHL teams 10 games into the 2009-10 season, the race for the Calder Trophy has become very clouded with as many as 10 players now in the running.

Let's face it, picking the Calder Trophy winner is never an easy task. It's one thing to "do it" at the junior level, quite another to be an impact player at the NHL level. Many a rookie before them failed to impress and, to be honest, outside of a few no-brainers like Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, Mats Sundin, and Mario Lemieux (to mention a few), picking a blue chip prospect is a crap shoot at the best of times.

This season, with so many players quickly establishing themselves as legitimate candidates, it looks as if the competition for the Calder will be both fierce and deep rooted.

Tavares, Hedman, and Duchesne are all still in the running, that said, based on the early results, none of those players can be considered the favorite. Truth is, there has been a changing of the guard and you might be very surprised at which players have eclipsed them.

Here's is a look at the Calder Trophy leaders after the first 10-12 games of the 2009-10 NHL season:

Michael Del Zotto

Heading into the 2009-10 season Del Zotto was well off the Calder Trophy radar. At 6’0" and 211 pounds, Del Zotto already had NHL size but, being a defenseman, the odds of Del Zotto making the Rangers roster were slim.

Del Zotto, a prototypical offensive defenseman, had a strong preseason and quickly established himself as an offensive threat while adapting to the ultra tough role of NHL defenseman.

Del Zotto has put his offensive tools to good use for the Rangers. His four goals, three of which have come on the power play, through 11 games, ranks him fourth overall amongst NHL defensemen. His 10 points ranks him third overall amongst NHL defensemen and ties him for first overall amongst NHL rookie players.

One stat that jumps off the page is Del Zotto’s shooting percentage which, at 30.8 percent, is the best percentage amongst NHL rookies and fifth amongst all NHL skaters. Combine that with his plus three rating and you have yourself a resume which, early on, makes you a favorite to win the Calder Trophy.

Ryan O’Reilly

O’Reilly, who many felt would be a first round draft choice, ended up being selected in the second round of the NHL entry draft, 33rd overall to the Colorado Avalanche. After his quick start, suffice to say, I think if a few NHL general managers would like another shot at this kid.

Through 11 games, O’Reilly has netted two goals and eight assists for a total of 10 points, tying him for first overall with Del Zotto. More importantly, O’Reilly has played hard in all zones and has impressed everyone with his skating, which was supposed to be his downfall.

Known for being a hard worker with a tremendous compete level, O’Reilly has quickly endured himself to his teammates and coaches alike. His plus-10 rating ranks him first overall amongst NHL rookies, second overall in the NHL.

O’Reilly also owns a 52.1 percent success rate in the face-off circle, ranking him first amongst rookies, 44th amongst all NHL skaters.

A tremendous compete level, defensively responsible, ability to play in all situations, and a desire to be the best, make O’Reilly a favorite to bring the Calder home.

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