NHL Predictions: Jeff Skinner, Sergei Bobrovsky and the Rookie of the Year Race

The NHL Rookie of the Year Award will be highly contested this year because of the plethora of talent to choose from.

With no shortage of candidates, the decision will be incredibly difficult.

For this slideshow, I have composed the top five candidates for the Rookie of the Year honor.

I’m sure people will argue, but these players will be at the top of every voter’s ballot. Enjoy!

5. Corey Crawford

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CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 27: Corey Crawford #50 of the Chicago Blackhawks makes a save in the shootout against the Phoenix Coyotes at the United Center on February 27, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Coyotes 4-3 in a shootout. (Photo

The Chicago Blackhawks are making a real surge for their second consecutive Stanley Cup, and rookie goaltender Corey Crawford has been a huge part of that.

Crawford took the helm from veteran Marty Turco after the team realized he didn’t have what it takes to play in the NHL anymore.

The rookie netminder has 26 wins, a goals against average of 2.19 and three shutouts. All of those stats put him as the top rookie in each category.

For the Blackhawks to make another run at the Cup, they will need the continued success of Corey Crawford.

4. Michael Grabner

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UNIONDALE, NY - FEBRUARY 11: Michael Grabner #40 of the New York Islanders in action against the Pittsburgh Penguins on February 11, 2011 at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. The Isles defeated the Pens 9-3. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

One of the biggest surprises in the rookie race this season has been the young New York Islander Michael Grabner.

With 26 goals, Grabner leads all rookies in that category and has played solid for a bad team.

Along with his goals, Grabner has added 14 assists and is third in overall points for rookies this season.

As good as he is in the offensive zone, he is also solid defensively and one of the fastest players in the NHL.

3. Logan Couture

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PITTSBURGH, PA - FEBRUARY 23: Logan Couture #39 of the San Jose Sharks awaits a face off during the NHL game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Consol Energy Center on February 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Sharks defeated the Penguins 3-2 in

Logan Couture quietly kept the season alive for the San Jose Sharks when stars like Joe Thornton and Dany Heatley struggled.

Couture has 44 points this season and is second in that category for rookies. His consistent play has kept the Sharks in games that they had no business being in.

Now that Thornton and Heatley are starting to play better, Couture might see a bump in his numbers and may become the dark horse in this race.

2. Sergei Bobrovsky

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PHILADELPHIA - MARCH 03: Sergei Bobrovsky #35 of The Philadelphia Flyers in action against the Toronto Maple Leafs during their game on March 3, 2011 at The Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

The Philadelphia Flyers may be hitting a roadblock now, but the solid pay of Russian rookie Sergei Bobrovsky has helped get them where they are.

The real reason no one in the Flyers organization is really panicking is because they are so far up in the standings that a slump like this could be good.

Flyers officials can thank Bobrovsky for a lot of that.

With 24 wins, a 2.37 goals against average and save percentage of .916, Bobrovsky has been great for the Flyers.

1. Jeff Skinner

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RALEIGH, NC - JANUARY 30: (EDITORS NOTE: A special effects camera filter was used for this image.) Jeff Skinner #53 of the Carolina Hurricanes for Team Staal poses for a portrait before the 58th NHL All-Star Game at RBC Center on January 30, 2011 in Rale

This was an amazing year for Carolina Hurricanes rookie Jeff Skinner, and it may be concluded with a big Calder Trophy speech.

Skinner got a chance to play in the All-Star Game with teammates Cam Ward and Eric Staal in their home building in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Skinner leads all rookies in points with 49 and has been a huge part of the offense in Carolina.

With 23 goals and 26 assists this season, Skinner is the most complete offensive player of all of the rookies.