Right wing Flyer for Crosby?

The article intimates the fact that Lemieux is NOT playing left wing to Crosby but instead is on the Flyers second line, Naslund is "aging" and Moreau might physically provide ice room for Sid, all together suggesting that Matt thinks that Naslund might not be the best choice for Crosby's left wing. Philly might want to make a move to get a better right winger than Kotalik if the rookie race award ($$) is one of the team's objectives this season.

Passing centre for Shark Ovechkin?

The article shows how Alex's linemates aren't skilled enough to provide much help but that he doesn't seem to need much to contend for the Calder having gotten a trinity in his first game: 3 points, 3 shots, 3 hits.

Those others with a REAL shot at the title

Detroit's Phaneuf and Florida's Lundqvist are also profiled with linemate challenges which might provide the opportunity for more chemistry-gelling rookies to emerge victorious in the calder race. Montreal's Roy, St. Louis' Stoll, L.A.'s Leclaire and Matt's choice Toronto's Ballard, are all assessed thoughtfully as candidates in an enjoyable read.

Yet the greatest insights comes from the two darkhorse picks of Matt's: Chicago's Craig has top linemates in Thornton, Havlat but he might have what it takes to produce in his rookie season; and Anaheim's Prucha might go from hot to scorching if he switched to wing and played with Yashin or Comrie, two players he beat out for the first line position in the preseason and on opening night. 

The Overlooked, and Darkest of the Dark

But I'm surprised by the lack of mention of the OTHER hot rookies, especially ones that have demonstrated chemistry in the preseason. But first, a superstar who might be in the running:

Eric Staal, Sabres

Buffalo's young centre is listed as a rookie and if so is built to compete for the Calder trophy (83 SC, 78 OV). He has shown preseason chemistry with Bertuzzi and Boumeester, and second liners Carter and Preissing could be promoted to concentrate on one great line, especially since the Sabres are not built to make a shortterm cup run, though then again, playing in the weak Northeast they might make a run for a playoff spot and would likely need two scoring lines to do so.

Assuming Staal won't be a rookie, here are some definite eligible darkhorses:

Marek Svatos & Ryan Getzlaf, Thrashers

One is a leaguewide sniper extrodinaire, Svatos (74 OV, 82 SC), the other clicking with nine points in the preseason, Getzlaf (70 PA, 73 OV), on the top line with Heatley, Hemsky, Redden, Hannan, and Leetch available for the powerplay. This team lost only one preseason game against divisional opponents and gets to play each of them again eight times in a division-heavy schedule. One or both of these players are definitely darkhorses.

Nikolai Zherdev, Panthers

Matt profiles Lundqvist in net but not the speedy first line right winger (75 SP, 74 SC, 74 OV) on a talented line, with Justin Williams and Keith Tkachuk and great passing Andrei Markov, Ryan Whitney rounding out a 5-man unit that could go to town often, though less often in their competitive division. Still, if they click, a darkhorse for sure. It is still a team game, and some of the favourites for the Calder don't have much help from linemates.

Patrick Eaves, Hurricanes

See cover page story. He finished one point behind Ovechkin and Crosby at the end of the preseason with an unparalleled six goals. Fluke? Seems to be real line chemistry with Spezza and Knuble and even production from blueliners Hamhuis, Smith. Can it continue? It already has with the rookie getting three assists in two games. His speed (72) and scoring (73) are good enough to be a longshot, in the right environs. I would not bet against this player being a possible finalist. But I wouldn't bet it'll happen either.

Now, there there is the hope-in-hell club, a small group surely, but with some members:

Jason Pominville, Stars

Like Eaves, this is a decent but not phenomenal youngster placed amidst the supporting tools to help him get the job done, with some luck. The problem is, Dallas is so deep that the right winger begins the season on the fourth line. But any team with LW-C tandems of Rolston-Cole and Nylander-Lehtinen might be able to afford promoting a rookie with decent enough puck skills (71 PC, 72 SC) but crucially lacking in speed to be anything but a pretender. More of a guy to watch in his sophomore year. Yet...

Steve Bernier, Senators

The right winger has the scoring (74 SC) and intensity (77 IT) to contribute big time on the top line with Lecavalier, Nagy and puck-supporting Sami Salo. Unfortunately he's on the second line and may end up on the third due to issues concerning his endurance (64 EN). Another who might shine better in his sophomore year. But, and this is a big but, Rob might want to play him on the top line to see, since his team only lost one preseason game and there will be plenty of games against weak divisional opponents this season to rack up points.

Jason Williams, Capitals

Bet the farm he won't be a finalist. But don't bet your life. He may only be a (71 PA, 68 SC, 73 OV) third line centre on Washington now. But, as TSN indicates, Robert Lang or Olli Jokinen could be moved from centre to left wing, having Alfredsson on the right side, with one of the best puck-moving d-men in Visnovsky. Or Jason could move to right wing and play with Yashin and one of the two converted left wing stars. It is a real possibility. And I'm not gonna rule it out as a ticket to stardom in Calder news because I've seen average rated players (68-72 range) end up the scoring leaders on teams with plenty of stars and line chemistry.