Logan Couture of the San Jose Sharks Comments on Fellow Rookies

Drafted ninth overall by the San Jose Sharks in 2007, Logan Couture has had a phenomenal rookie season with the club.

The rookie from Guelph, Ontario leads his team with 18 goals—a high among NHL first-year players.

He is currently four points behind rookie leader Jeff Skinner of Carolina (31).

A Calder Trophy candidate, Couture took some time to speak to B/R about the impact other rookies are making around the league.

Jeff Skinner, Carolina Hurricanes

Currently leading rookies with 31 points, Jeff Skinner is making a major impact on a young and rebuilding team in Raleigh.

The Markham, Ontario standout was drafted seventh overall this season by Carolina.

Through 40 games, the former Kitchener Ranger (OHL) has 13 goals and 18 assists for the 'Canes.

"I watched Skinner a little bit last year when he was with Kitchener," said Couture. "I knew he was a great player. Obviously to be a special player.

"He had a figure skating background when he was growing up. Great skater. He is really skilled [and] goes to the net hard."

Bryan Bickell, Chicago Blackhawks

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 05: Bryan Bickell #29 of the Chicago Blackhawks controls the puck against the Dallas Stars at the United Center on January 5, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Stars defeated the Blackhawks 4-2. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Drafted in the second round (41st overall) by Chicago in 2004, Bryan Bickell, a teammate of Couture's in the OHL, has been a pleasant surprise for the Blackhawks this season.

The Bowmanville, Ontario native is third behind Skinner and Couture with 23 points.

"Big body. Great shot," Couture says of his fellow 67er. "He can be physical on the forecheck, and he's tough."

As a teammate, Couture said he was a "nice guy" and "easy to get along with."

Derek Stepan, New York Rangers

Couture has not faced, Derek Stepan, the Rangers' standout rookie from Hastings, Minnesota, but says he enjoys watching him play on television.

The Rangers second-round pick (51st overall) in 2008 is tied with Bickell for 23 points and is a major reason why the Blueshirts are contenders this year.

"From what I've seen on TV, obviously he's playing well," said Couture, who owns the NHL package and watches NHL games on his night off. "[He] goes hard on the forecheck and goes down low with the puck."

Jordan Eberle, Edmonton Oilers

Hailing from Regina, Saskatchewan, Jordan Eberle has been lighting the lamp for the rebuilding Edmonton Oilers this year.

Drafted 22nd overall in 2008 by the Oilers, Eberle is a member of the 23-point club as well.

"He's always around the puck. The puck always finds him," said Couture.

"His first career NHL goal was something special. Good pull move, good sneaky shot."

Cam Fowler, Anaheim Ducks

A member of the rival Anaheim Ducks, Couture has faced Cam Fowler (12th overall, 2010) twice this season.

A defensemen from Windsor, Ontario, Fowler currently wears 54 which was previously worn by Ducks' standout Bobby Ryan before he landed a permanent roster spot.

Couture was curt while praising his rival: "Great puck mover. Great on the power play. Sees the ice well."

Fowler has eight of his 18 points on the power play this year.

Taylor Hall, Edmonton Oilers

Drafted first overall in Los Angeles last year, Taylor Hall has thrived in the spotlight.

The 19-year-old superstar from Calgary, Alberta native has 22 points for the Oilers this year.

"Strong skater [with] a low center of gravity," says Couture of Hall. "Really protects the puck well...plays well through traffic.

"Good shot. Good hands. Good speed. He's definitely going to be a superstar in this league."

Linus Omark, Edmonton Oilers

Uncommonly talented but pleasantly understated. It would be out of character for Couture to pull out an ostentatious spin move before attempting a shootout.

However, he took no exception to Linus Omark's controversial shootout goal against.

"I mean it went in the net," said an insouciant Couture. "It doesn't matter how it goes in as long it goes in."

Tyler Ennis, Buffalo Sabres

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SUNRISE, FL - DECEMBER 17: Tyler Ennis #63 of the Buffalo Sabres skates prior to the game against the Florida Panthers on December 17, 2010 at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. The Panthers defeated the Sabres 6-2. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty

Buffalo's first-round (26th overall) pick in 2008, Tyler Ennis—who grew up in Edmonton, Alberta—has nine goals and 19 points for the underachieving Sabres this season.

"He's small, but he goes to the net hard," Couture says of the 5'9" winger. "He plays in traffic well for being a small guy."

John Carlson, Washington Capitals

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WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 13: John Carlson #74 of the Washington Capitals skates against the New York Islanders at the Verizon Center on October 13, 2010 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Couture has not faced John Carlson and the Capitals yet, but he is familiar with Washington's first-round (27th overall) pick in 2008.

The defenseman from Natick, Massachusetts has 17 points for the Caps this season.

"I played against him in junior when he was [with the London Knights]," said Couture, who's family moved to London, Ontario when he was young. "Good puck mover. Jumps in the rush a lot. Good shot.

"He fits the mold of the players in Washington, he's skilled."

Kevin Shattenkirk, Colorado Avalanche

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 10: Kevin Shattenkirk #8 of the Colorado Avalanche against the Atlanta Thrashers at Philips Arena on December 10, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Drafted 14th overall in 2007, Kevin Shattenkirk, a defensemen from Greenwich, Connecticut, has 19 points for the Colorado Avalanche this season.

"He also likes to jump up in the rush. He'll also lead the rush," says Couture, comparing Shattenkirk to John Carlson. "That's the way Colorado plays, their d-men are in the rush a lot."

P.K. Subban, Montreal Canadiens

Known around the league for his trash talk, Montreal's P.K. Subban (second round, 43rd overall in 2007) and Couture have history between them dating back to their junior hockey days.

"I played against him in junior and he does talk, talk, talk," says Couture of the loquacious Subban, a Toronto, Ontario native who played with the Belleville Bulls. "He was my only junior fight."

"Off the ice he was a good guy, but on the ice he talks way too much."