NHL Power Rankings: Taylor Hall and the Top 20 Rookies

Coming into this NHL season, there was no consensus choice for who would win the Calder Trophy–Taylor Hall, PK Subban, Jordan Eberle, Tyler Ennis and Tyler Seguin were all popular picks.

Players who were completely off the radar of most pundits have surprised everyone this season, and the top three Calder candidates are all somewhat unexpected.

Here are the top 20 rookies so far this season.

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No. 20: Travis Hamonic, New York Islanders

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UNIONDALE, NY - JANUARY 20: John Erskine #4 of the Washington Capitals blocks a shot by Travis Hamonic #36 of the New York Islanders on January 20, 2011 at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Lou Capozzola/Getty Images)

Travis Hamonic starred as a shutdown defender for silver medalist Team Canada at the World Junior Championships last year, and after starting this season in the AHL, made the jump to the NHL in November.

He hasn't looked back and has been a steadying presence on the Islanders' blue line.

Hamonic now plays on the Isles' top pairing and has managed to be only a minus-four on the 27th-ranked team in the league.

No. 19: Mats Zuccarello

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NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 25: Mats Zuccarello #36 of the New York Rangers holds off Shawn Matthias #18 of the Florida Panthers as they play for possession of the puck during the first period at Madison Square Garden on January 25, 2011 in New York City. (Pho

Zuccarello, the "Norwegian Hobbit Wizard," is a magician with the puck. At only 5'7," Zuccarello is one of the smallest players in the league, but he makes up for it with speed and skill.

He was called up to the Rangers in late December and he's been so good they haven't been able to send him back.

No. 18: Bryan Bickell, Chicago Blackhawks

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - FEBRUARY 4: Bryan Bickell #29 of the Chicago Blackhawks tries to get past Christian Ehrhoff #5 of the Vancouver Canucks during the first period in NHL action on February 04, 2011 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Bryan Bickell is another of the players who has benefited from the mass Chicago Blackhawk exodus of last summer—the only difference from Andrew Ladd and Dustin Byfuglien is that Bickell is still in Chicago.

Bickell has emerged as a solid third-liner who is good both ways and can play a physical game.

No. 17: Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Phoenix Coyotes

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 22: Oliver Ekman-Larsson #23 of the Phoenix Coyotes skates with the puck during the NHL game against the Los Angeles Kings at Jobing.com Arena on January 22, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Kings defeated the Coyotes 4-3. (Photo b

Oliver Ekman-Larsson is still adjusting to the offensive side of the NHL game, but he's been very good defensively for the Phoenix Coyotes.

Playing on the same team as a near-certain Norris Trophy finalist won't hurt his development.

No. 16: Michael Neuvirth, Washington Capitals

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WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 06: Michal Neuvirth #30 of the Washington Capitals makes a save against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Verizon Center on February 6, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Michael Neuvirth was the Rookie of the Month in October, but has struggled a bit since then.

He's still having a pretty good rookie season with 16 wins, a .913 save percentage and a 2.47 goals against average.

No. 15: Derek Stepan, New York Rangers

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NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 11: Derek Stepan #21 of the New York Rangers skates against the Montreal Canadiens on January 11, 2011 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Montreal defeated the Rangers 2-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

After captaining gold-medal winning Team USA at the World Junior Championships last year, where he also led the tournament in scoring, Derek Stepan has transitioned well to the NHL.

He kicked off his NHL career with a bang, scoring a hat trick in his debut, and has been solid for the New York Rangers this season.

No. 14: Kevin Shattenkirk, Colorado Avalanche

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DENVER - DECEMBER 27: Matt Duchene #9 of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates his third period goal with Kevin Shattenkirk #8 and Milan Hejduk #23 against the Detroit Red Wings at the Pepsi Center on December 27, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Red Wings defe

When Kevin Shattenkirk got called up to the Avalanche in November, he posted 19 points in his first 21 games and was well on his way to becoming a leading Calder Trophy candidate.

Then, the slump hit. Shattenkirk has put up just seven points and a minus-10 rating in his last 24 games.

Still, he's been good for a rookie who wasn't expected to jump to the NHL this season.

No. 13: Cam Fowler, Anaheim Ducks

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ANAHEIM, CA - JANUARY 16: Cam Fowler #4 of the Anaheim Ducks skates against the Edmonton Oilers at the Honda Center on January 16, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

After being forecast as a top-5 pick in last summer's draft, Cam Fowler fell unexpectedly to 12th, but hasn't disappointed this season.

He's been effective on Anaheim's blueline, and has certainly benefited from living with former Ducks captain Scott Niedermayer.

No. 12: PK Subban, Montreal Canadiens

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WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 01: P.K. Subban #76 of the Montreal Canadiens is called for a roughing penalty against Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals at the Verizon Center on February 1, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

PK Subban has more personality than he knows what to do with, and he's drawn the ire of many around the league this season, including Philadelphia Flyers captain Mike Richards.

Whether or not you like him, there's no denying that Subban is good. With 25 points and 86 penalty minutes, Subban plays fast and physical and drives opponents crazy.

No. 11: John Carlson, Washington Capitals

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WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 12: John Carlson #74 of the Washington Capitals brings the puck around the net against Kyle Clifford #13 of the Los Angeles Kings at the Verizon Center on February 12, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

After scoring the gold-medal winning overtime goal at the World Junior Championships last year, Carlson joined the Capitals for the final 22 games and the playoffs.

He was arguably the Capitals best defenseman in the playoffs with four points and a plus-six rating in seven games and he's kept it up this season.

Carlson has often been matched up against the opponent's top line and has maintained a plus-13 rating.

No. 10: Tyler Ennis, Buffalo Sabres

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BUFFALO, NY - JANUARY 21: Nathan Lawson #52 of the New York Islanders defends the goal against Tyler Ennis #63 of the Buffalo Sabres at HSBC Arena on January 21, 2011 in Buffalo, New York. New York won 5-2. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Another small but sublimely-skilled forward who's benefited from the post-lockout era, Tyler Ennis hasn't been quite as good as the Sabres had hoped.

After putting up nine points in 10 games at the end of last season, there were high expectations for Ennis this season, and he's been good but hasn't lived up to the hype.

Still, 33 points in 55 games is good for fourth on the Sabres.

No. 9: Sergei Bobrovsky, Philadelphia Flyers

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PHILADELPHIA - FEBRUARY 13: Alexei Ponikarovsky #27 of the Los Angeles Kings has his shot blocked by Sergei Bobrovsky #35 of the Philadelphia Flyers on February 13, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Lou Capozzola/Ge

Do the Flyers finally have the franchise goalie they've lacked since Ron Hextall last played? Or is Bobrovsky's success a product of an incredibly deep and talented Flyers team?

It's hard to tell, but the undrafted rookie from Russia, who hardly speaks English, is having a good start to his career.

If he can keep it up or improve this level of play, the Flyers have to be considered favorites for the Stanley Cup.

No. 8: Taylor Hall, Edmonton Oilers

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NASHVILLE, TN - FEBRUARY 07: Shea Weber #6 of the Nashville Predators defends against Taylor Hall #4 of the Edmonton Oilers on February 7, 2011 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)

Watching Taylor Hall this season, it's easy to tell that he's going to be a superstar in this league for a long time.

He hasn't adjusted to the NHL as quickly as many people thought he would, but he gets better almost every game and is already a top-line player.

Hall's ridiculous speed and skill have helped him develop a signature-type move of blowing wide by defenders and cutting in to score on the short side.

Hall's 17 goals are good for second on the Oilers, and Jordan Eberle's return from injury should help that number increase.

No. 7: Alex Pietrangelo, St. Louis Blues

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ST. LOUIS, MO - FEBRUARY 4: Alex Pietrangelo #27 of the St. Louis Blues shoots and scores a goal against the Edmonton Oilers at the Scottrade Center on February 4, 2011 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Alex Pietrangelo finished third in scoring in the World Junior Championships last year and was named best defenseman of the tournament.

He's virtually transitioned seamlessly to the NHL and been a key part of the injury-plagued Blues staying in the playoff race.

Pietrangelo's 27 points and plus-10 rating lead all Blues defensemen.

No. 6: Brad Marchand, Boston Bruins

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DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 13: Brad Marchand #63 of the Boston Bruins heads up ice in front of Nicklas Lidstrom #5 of the Detroit Red Wings on February 13, 2011 at Joe Lewis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 4-2. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Gett

Brad Marchand is seventh in rookie scoring despite being 21st in ice time among rookie forwards. When he's on the ice, he makes stuff happen.

Marchand also leads the NHL in shorthanded goals and is 13th in plus/minus.

Considering that Marchand wasn't expected to be anything more than a fourth-line penalty killer, he's one of the biggest surprises in the league this season.

No. 5: Jordan Eberle, Edmonton Oilers

Eberle's first NHL goal

After scoring his first NHL goal in stunning fashion, Jordan Eberle has quietly put together a very good rookie season.

With Taylor Hall getting most of the fanfare around the league, Eberle has actually been the better player, and if he hadn't missed 13 games with an ankle injury, he'd be second in the rookie scoring race.

A few years from now when the Oilers are playing meaningful playoff games, Eberle will be even more valuable after proving his "clutchness" in the last two World Junior Championships.

In 2009, Eberle scored with five seconds left to help Canada tie their semifinal against Russia, then scored in the shootout to win. They went on to win gold.

In 2010, Eberle scored two goals in the final three minutes of the gold medal game to force overtime. The Canadians ended up losing to the USA in overtime, but Eberle was named tournament MVP.

No. 4: Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 16: Corey Crawford #50 of the Chicago Blackhawks makes a save against the Minnesota Wild at the United Center on February 16, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Corey Crawford is ninth in the league in save percentage and fourth in goals against average. He's having a fantastic rookie season and is definitely on the Calder Trophy radar.

After starting the season as a backup, Crawford has usurped Marty Turco's starting position and will have to keep up his strong play if the defending Cup champions are going to make the playoffs.

If Crawford is going to win the Calder Trophy, the Blackhawks will almost certainly have to make the playoffs.

No. 3: Logan Couture, San Jose Sharks

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NEWARK, NJ - FEBRUARY 11: Logan Couture #39 of the San Jose Sharks shoots on goal as Goalie Johan Hedberg #1 of the New Jersey Devils stops the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game on February 11, 2011 at the Prudential Center in Newark, Ne

Logan Couture leads the league in game-winning goals and now owns the record for most game-winners by a rookie. Couture also leads the offensively-powerful San Jose Sharks in goals.

He was Rookie of the Month in December and is second in goals among rookies.

Couture is definitely in the running for the Calder Trophy.

No. 2: Michael Grabner, New York Islanders

Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images

OTTAWA, ON - FEBRUARY 15: Michael Grabner #40 of the New York Islanders celebrates a short-handed goal while Milan Michalek #9 of the Ottawa Senators reacts dejectedly in a game at Scotiabank Place on February 15, 2011 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The Ne

Michael Grabner wasn't even on the radar for Rookie of the Year, until 16 games ago.

Over the last 16 games, Grabner has 16 goals and seven assists, including eight goals and 10 points in his last four games.

If Grabner can keep up this pace, he should win the Calder Trophy. It's hard to believe that the Florida Panthers couldn't find room for him and put him on waivers at the start of the year.

No. 1: Jeff Skinner, Carolina Hurricanes

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NEWARK, NJ - FEBRUARY 08: Jeff Skinner #53 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates his goal against the New Jersey Devils the third period of an NHL hockey game at the Prudential Center on February 8, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. Devils won 3-2 in overtime.

The seventh-overall pick in the 2010 Entry Draft was the Rookie of the Month in January, and also became the youngest player to ever play in the NHL All Star Game.

Jeff Skinner wasn't supposed to be in the NHL this year at all, but he was so good in training camp that the Hurricanes had to keep him around. That hasn't really changed.

Skinner leads all rookies in scoring with 45 points in 57 games, and is the only rookie in the top 40 in league scoring.

If Skinner keeps up this pace he should win the Calder Trophy.

Follow Erik on Twitter: @ekpaul87