Here's what I think:
- Sidney Crosby: I don't think he'll crack the top 3 (Just a gut feeling), but will probably do good in terms of offensive production, somewhere around 40 points, but I guess we'll have to see the team he's on before we can say that.
- Alexander Ovechkin: I like his chances out of the forwards because being on a poor team like Washington sure gives him the advantage with the ice-time, specially if he's put on the same line with Semin, I think Ovechkin will do a 50+ point season and lead all rookies in points.
- Niklas Kronwall: Nik has a big chance in winning it, simply because he's gotten much better and not to mention he'll have a big role on Detroit's blue-line this year, he'll most likely be playing with Lidstrom so that should help his chances, plus he should get plenty of ice-time on the PP so this should help his point totals, he has impressed everywhere he played for the past year so he should be a good candidate, if everything goes well for him I expect him to score anywhere from 25-35 points and lead all rookie defenders in points.
- Kari Lehtonen: He's another good pick for the Calder, I think Atlanta will ride him this season and see how well he'll do, I personally think he'll impress and do well, but to be safe I think they should sign a veteran goalie and let them split the season just to see how Kari does, I think he'll be more then fine and will pull off a similar season to Andrew Raycroft last year, on the other hand Atlanta has a poor defense and their forwards are'nt exactly Selke material, so everything I said could turn into the opposite, we'll have to wait and see I guess but if Kari wins the Calder, say hello to the new Roy or Brodeur.
- Dion Phaneuf: Another good choice, assuming Dion gets at least a top 4 job in Calgary and some time on the PP, he should do quite well, his style is all about NHL and I think he's ready for the big show, Dion will probably score somewhere around 15-20 points but will provide the overall performance that will help his chances, pretty much a similar performance to the 2003 Calder winner Barret Jackman.
- Jeff Carter: I think Jeff is the most ready out of all the forwards, however being on a loaded team like Philly will probably hurt his chances due to the small amount of ice-time, unless Philly plays him on the top 2 lines and some PP time I just can't see him passing a player like Ovechkin, but he should be good for a 40+ point season, he has all the tools and should do well regardless.
- Thomas Vanek: Explosive player indeed, but I think he'll have a slow start then explode in the end of the season, kind of like what Tuomo Ruutu pulled off last season, I don't think he'll crack the top 3 but I do think he'll go on fire the second half and reach the 40 point corner.
- Evgeny Malkin: I think he's a great pick, with a young team like the Pens Malkin should get plenty of ice-time, and this kid has the talent so he should do very well, he has impressed me everywhere and he's definitely a youngster to watch, I say he'll crach 45+ points and challange Mr.Ovechkin for the top scorer for rookies.