When talk turns to the new young stars of the NHL, the conversation starts with Pittsburgh rookie Sidney Crosby. After all, the kid has been compared to Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux, and in Canada, is the LeBron James of hockey.
Only the conversation doesn't stop with Crosby. Not yet anyway.
The consensus is the Rookie of the Year Award is Crosby's to lose. The kid from Halifax, Nova Scotia, the one who lit up scoreboards throughout the Quebec junior league the past two years is the real deal, no doubt.
The league has more top-shelf rookies than Crosby, though.
Look around the league, and youngsters are making an impact from Sunrise, Fla., - Czech left wing Rostislav Olesz expected to skate on Florida's first line against the Islanders Monday, his 20th birthday - to Washington to Philadelphia and up into New Jersey.
Atlanta even thinks it has a legit Rookie of the Year candidate in talented Finnish goaltender Kari Lehtonen, although being on the IR after being steamrolled by Florida's Nathan Horton will slow down such a campaign.
Washington's Alexander Ovechkin, a Russian and the first pick in the 2004 draft, and Philadelphia's Mike Richards also made memorable debuts Wednesday.
``One thing young kids bring to a franchise is enthusiasm, energy and excitement,'' Panthers coach Jacques Martin said.
Crosby's debut in New Jersey on Wednesday brought plenty of hype, with some disappointed he didn't score on his first shift like Lemieux did 21 years ago. Instead, Crosby played a solid game in the Pens' 5-1 loss to the Devils, only New Jersey rookie Zach Parise stole some thunder with a goal and two assists in the win.
That's how it's going to be for Crosby this season - and he knows it.
``The expectations are high,'' Crosby said before his first game. ``. . . I think with any player who's a first pick, there's always pressure.''And yes, the lockout might have helped the NHL rookie class of 2005-06. While Crosby is making his professional debut in the bigs this year, the other top rookies got a full year of seasoning either in European pro leagues or in the North American minors.
With no season in 2004-05, teams were in no rush to throw their youngsters into the NHL pressure cooker, instead giving them some experience that may take off some pressure this year.
``I saw a lot of the American Hockey League last year and saw firsthand how many of those young players benefited from playing at that level,'' Martin said.
For Crosby, the Rookie of the Year Award could be considered a bonus only because he goes to bed each night with the knowledge he might have saved hockey in the Steel City.
A troubled franchise only months ago, the Penguins have turned things around just by winning the lottery ticket with Crosby's smiling face on it.
``He really gave us an opportunity to turn this franchise around overnight,'' said Lemieux, the team's player-owner who decided against selling the team upon securing Crosby's rights.
