Top 10 of a Deep NHL Rookie Class

(POST UPDATED at 2:00 to include Washington's Varlamov. I watched him play so much last April, I left him out as a rookie this season.)

10. Jamie Benn, Dallas LW: What a find for the Stars with the 120th overall pick just two years ago. Benn has been everything the Stars thought they were getting in hotshot European free agent Fabian Brunnstrom last year. Benn may be a ho-hum 5-11-16 in 32 games so far, but his value extends far beyond the stat sheet.

9. Ryan O'Reilly, Colorado C: It's not every season a teenager is drafted in the second round in June, makes an NHL team out of training camp and immediately contributes. That's been the wonderful story of Ryan O'Reilly, ranked No. 52 by the International Scouting Service before the draft because of concerns about his skating. Here's what you get sometimes when scouts can't get inside the head or the heart: 4-13-17, plus-12 and an average of over 16 minutes of playing time in 35 games.

8. Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay D: Another illustration of the depth of this year's rookie crop is that a 19-year-old as brilliant as Hedman is currently ranked just eighth on this list. (Don't worry, Lightning fans: he will almost certainly have a better NHL career than many of the players above him). The second overall pick in June is playing more than 22 minutes a game -- huge responsibility for a rookie defenseman -- and has been every bit as poised and skilled as advertised.

7. Niclas Bergfors, New Jersey RW: You can hear the cries from all the way in Newark -- disrespect! After all, Bergfors is second among rookies in goals (11) and points (22). But hey, doesn't Lou Lamoriello like his players under the radar? If the smooth Swede keeps up this production, he won't need a PR campaign to garner a Calder nomination.

6. Michael Del Zotto, Rangers D: While his team is showing signs of tearing at the seams, the 2008 first-round pick continues to be the happy surprise for the Rangers. Del Zotto leads rookie defensemen in points (5-13-18 in 31 games) and has improved his play in his own end enough to earn more than 20 minutes of icetime a game in recent weeks.

5. Matt Duchene, Colorado C: Like Hedman, the third-overall pick is the dream youngster NHL scouts thought he'd be. While the 18-year-old Duchene has only recently stepped up his offense -- now 9-10-19 in 35 games -- he has shown the tools to be the kind of all-zone center that can help lead a team to championships.

4. Semyon Varlamov, Washington G: All Varlamov does is win, contributing to the Capitals' cause with his 2.21 GAA and .924 save percentage to go with his 12-1-2 record. Bruce Boudreau started Jose Theodore in the season opener and gave the veteran every chance to win the top job, but it looks like Varlamov's to lose now.

3. Tuukka Rask, Boston G: The 6-3 goalie from Finland has only played 14 games, but has been as valuable as any goalie or rookie in the league. Rask is 9-2-2 with a 1.97 goals-against average and .932 save percentage. For the time being, he has taken over the Bruins' No.1 job from Tim Thomas. And to think, all the Bruins had to give up to Toronto to get Rask was Andrew Raycroft.

2. Tyler Myers, Buffalo D: The 6-8 defenseman dropped in the 2008 draft because of a knee injury. The Sabres traded a third-round pick to move from 13th to 12th overall and take Myers, and now at least eight general managers with higher picks are kicking themselves. Already playing more than 22 minutes a game and has flashed more offense (3-14-17 in 30 games) than expected. Myers may not win the Calder Trophy this season, but no one will be surprised if he doesn't win a Norris or two in the next decade.


1. John Tavares, Islanders C: The sure-shot kid, touted since he was 14 years old, has been everything the Islanders prayed for when they drafted him first overall in June. All the experts agreed Tavares was a world-class finisher "from the top of the circles in." The real surprise has been his playmaking ability (latest evidence: a behind-the back, no-look assist to Matt Moulson on Saturday). Leading all rookies in goals (15) and points (27). More than that, he's the one true franchise player among NHL rookies.