Debunking the Rookie Race

I was pretty sure Alexander Ovechkin was going to take Rookie of the year honors.... Until I looked a little closer at the stats.

Player / Games Played / Goals / Assists / Game winners

Ovechkin / 66 / 44 / 41 / 4
Crosby / 68 / 31 / 45 / 4

Now at a glance you can make the case for Ovechkin being the top rookie because he has more points. But if this were the rule by which talent is measured, Martin Brodeur would never had been rookie of the year.

Now let's see who's helping the team most. Ovechkin's Capitals are one spot on top of Crosby's Penguins... Not a real clear winner there.

All that aside these are both excellent players. But in my mind Crosby is the better player. Let me explain:

Shots on goal... Ovechkin leads the NHL with 340, he scores on 12.9 % of his shots, 223rd in the NHL.

Crosby has 233 shots and he scores on 13.3% of his shots... not a lot better, but there's also all of those assists.

Recently Ovechkin was benched for not following coache's orders. Crosby is and Alternate Captain. Crosby is 21st in the NHL in assists. The only Penguin in the top 65. This may account for some lack of productivity on the "G" column. Ovechkin is alone for Washington in assists for a lot longer than 65, but with 340 shots on net, I'm not sure anyone else touches the puck! Kolzig might aswell take a shot too.

The Whining factor is my only annoyance with the kid, but he's just that; a kid. Chances are that this will be the last year we see pimply faced tantrums.

On the whole, Ovechkin has proven a more talented rookie. Crosby has proven a franchise player. Who do I pick for rookie of the year?

Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers, and a close second, Deon Phaneuf of the Calgary Flames. Too bad they had to live in the shadows of the "phenoms" this year.