NHL: Midseason Rookie Review

Every season, teams look to their young guns to produce.

Lately, players such as Evgeni Malkin and Alexander Ovechkin have come through in their premier NHL season.

Last season, Malkin netted 33 goals along with 52 assists to lead all rookies, leading Paul Stastny (28 goals, 50 points in 82 games) by seven points.

In last year’s rookie class, there were six 20-goal scorers and eight players with 40 or more points.

Not to be outdone, the rookie class of 2006-07 was even more stoked with superstars Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby netting 106 and 102 points respectively. Ten players had over 20 goals, four of those players scoring 30 or more goals with 13 players scoring 40 or more points.

This year has not disappointed those teams counting on their young guns either.

1. Patrick Kane, RW, Chicago Blackhawks

With 11 multi-point games this season, Patrick Kane has helped the revival in the Windy City. Paired early on with fellow rookie Jonathan Toews, Kane has notched 12 goals and 33 assists in 49 games. Kane has been fairly consistent this season, having scored point streaks in December and January of four games or more.

Chicago’s future is looking stable with both Kane and Toews up front.

2. Nicklas Backstrom, C, Washington Capitals

Anyone playing with former Calder Trophy winner Alex Ovechkin is bound to have his play elevated. Can we say the same for Nicklas Backstrom?

It took a while, but Backstrom is finally coming into his own this season. Backstrom started the season with only 9 points, including only one goal, in 21 games. However, after November 23rd, in a 4-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers, Backstrom netted three points and has not looked back since. Backstrom has also netted four assists in his last two games (January 19 & 21) on a streaking Capitals team.

With both Backstrom and Ovechkin up front, the Capitals pose a potent offensive threat.

3. Jonathan Toews, C, Chicago Blackhawks

With 32 points (15 goals, 17 assists) in 36 games, Toews had a streaking start to the season, netting points in his first 10 NHL games. Kane and Toews have been dynamic in Chicago this season, yet since Toews' injury, the Blackhawks have only won four games in those 11 games up to January 22nd.

With Toews back in the lineup, the 23-22-4 Blackhawks could get out of the cellar of the Central Division.

4. Peter Mueller, C, Phoenix Coyotes

Resurgent is the word in Phoenix right now, as the club is streaking. Phoenix is 6-3-1 in their last 10 up to January 22nd, has an overall record of 25-21-2, and has a legitimate shot at the playoffs. Helping along their January tear, in which the Coyotes have won 7 of their last 11 games, rookie Peter Mueller has netted four goals and eight assists for 12 points, giving the Bloomington, Minnesota native 30 points in 47 games this season.

With such a young team, Mueller is one of the shining stars alongside fellow rookies Martin Hanzal and Daniel Winnik.

5. Tobias Enstrom, D, Atlanta Thrashers

Atlanta’s defense is not the toast of the NHL. But this season, with rookie Tobias Enstrom playing ample amounts of time on the powerplay and even strength along with goalie Kari Lehtonen, the Thrashers are having success keeping the puck out of the net.

Enstrom’s 29 assists and three goals in 51 games puts the rookie blueliner fifth in points among rookies. Enstrom is tied for second in the NHL with 20 power play assists this season.

Honourable Mention

Martin Hanzal, C, Phoenix Coyotes -- 5 goals, 20 assists in 48 games

Andrew Cogliano, C, Edmonton Oilers -- 9 goals, 15 assists in 51 games

Sam Gagner, C, Edmonton Oilers -- 4 goals, 17 assists in 48 games

Erik Johnson, D, St. Louis Blues -- 3 goals, 13 assists in 34 games