Early Season Report Cards for the NHL's Top Rookies

The 2013 NHL season is in full swing and rookies like Vladimir Tarasenko and Cory Conacher have earned high marks for their efforts thus far, while others like Chris Kreider are not off to a hot start.

Going into the season, there was a group of top rookies that were set to contend for the Calder Trophy, but thus far, not many rookies have been off to a hot start.

Through four games, most rookies have had some time to acclimate to NHL action, but how well have they done?

Here is an early season report card for the NHL's top rookies.

Alex Galchenyuk (Montreal Canadiens)

Grade: C+

Key Stat: One goal

Alex Galchenyuk gets a C+ through his first three games after registering only one goal and 12:16 minutes a game.

Galchenyuk hasn't looked as dynamic in the NHL as he was in the OHL, but he will eventually get it together.

Damien Brunner (Detroit Red Wings)

Grade: B-

Key Stat: Three Points

In addition to scoring an amazing shootout winner for the Detroit Red Wings, Brunner has had three points thus far.

The young Swiss winger is a talented scorer, and he has a lot of potential.

Chris Kreider (New York Rangers)

Grade: D

Key Stat: Zero Points

Chris Kreider has had a lackluster season to date as expectations were high for this youngster after his run for New York during the 2012 playoffs.

He has not performed well, but after word broke out that the youngster was playing with a bone chip in his foot, it became understandable that he is not playing well when you consider speed and skating is a huge part of his game.

"

Chris Kreider day to day with bone chip in ankle

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) January 26, 2013"

Brendan Smith (Detroit Red Wings)

Grade: C+

Key Stat: 18:04 T.O.I.

Brendan Smith has had an average start to the season with the Detroit Red Wings, so he gets an average grade of C+.

Smith has logged a solid amount of minutes up to this point, and he has one point through four games.

Mikhail Grigorenko (Buffalo Sabres)

Grade: D

Key Stat: Zero Points

Mikhail Grigorenko looked brilliant for Russia during the WJC, and he was on a tear with the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL, but through four games, he has looked lost with the Buffalo Sabres.

Grigorenko has the potential and skills to be a solid NHLer, but he needs some time.

Mikael Granlund (Minnesota Wild)

Grade: B-

Key Stats: Two Points

Mikael Granlund is one of the top rookie prospects in the NHL, and through four games, he has two points with the Minnesota Wild.

Granlund has looked solid thus far, and his game has translated to the speed of NHL action. He has the potential to be a star, so don't be surprised if he is a finalist for the Calder Trophy.

Dougie Hamilton (Boston Bruins)

Grade: B

Key Stat: Three Points

Dougie Hamilton has had a nice start with the Boston Bruins as a top-four defenseman and power-play point man.

Hamilton has three points thus far, and he is logging over 18:00 minutes of ice time per game.

Cory Conacher (Tampa Bay Lightning)

Grade: A+

Key Stat: Seven Points

Cory Conacher has had an amazing start to the 2013 season by registering seven points in four games with Tampa Bay.

The impressive part of this achievement is that Conacher is only averaging about 15:00 minutes a game thus far.

Justin Schultz (Edmonton Oilers)

Grade: A+

Key Stat: 24:02 T.O.I. and Six Points

Justin Schultz has been one of the NHL's best defenseman offensively thus far in the shortened season, and he has really fit in on the Edmonton Oilers' blue line.

Schultz is playing in a top-pairing role, and he has six points through four games.

Nail Yakupov (Edmonton Oilers)

Grade: B-

Key Stat: Two Points

Nail Yakupov was the No. 1 pick from the 2012 draft, and he has made an impact for Edmonton through four games.

Yakupov scored a decisive game-tying goal against the Los Angeles Kings and proceeded to make headlines with an amazing celebration.

Jonathan Huberdeau (Florida Panthers)

Grade: B-

Key Stat: Three Points

Jonathan Huberdeau is a versatile forward who can play both center and wing, if needed, but he has been serving as a second-line center for the Florida Panthers.

Huberdeau has three points for the team thus far, and he appears to be growing each game.

Vladimir Tarasenko (St.Louis Blues)

Grade: A+

Key Stat: Seven Points

Vladimir Tarasenko is currently the favorite for the Calder Trophy after recording four goals and three assists in five games with the St.Louis Blues thus far.

The young right winger has done this with only about 14:58 minutes per game, but he has had some time on the power play.

Tarasenko is fast, strong and very talented, and he has reinvigorated a Blues' team that needed an offensive spark plug.