NHL rookies Filip Forsberg, Johnny Gaudreau and Aaron Ekblad could lift their teams into play-offs

Three teams this year are hoping the shows put on by their Calder Trophy candidates last significantly longer, mainly because their first-year stars have helped put them back into the play-offs chase, writes Gregg Patton.

The Calgary Flames rookie Filip Forsberg, right, leads all NHL first-year players in scoring with 39 points. Frederick Breedon / Getty Images

Rookies in the NHL tend to be like fireworks: bright, colourful, exciting bursts of energy, likely to flame out quickly.

At least three teams this year are hoping the shows put on by their Calder Trophy candidates last significantly longer, mainly because their first-year stars have helped put them back into the play-offs chase.

Filip Forsberg of the Nashville Predators, Johnny Gaudreau of the Calgary Flames and Aaron Ekblad of the Florida Panthers have helped raise expectations in three cities that have not appeared in Stanley Cup competition since 2012, or longer.

The trio of newcomers have been dramatic contributors all season, turning the often free-for-all rookie-of-the year competition into a three-man race.

Forsberg, a 20-year-old centre from Sweden, stands as the Calder favourite at the midway point.

He leads first-year players in scoring with 39 points, owns a plus-23 rating and has been the best forward for the surprise Central Division leaders.

After displaying his talent infrequently in 18 games for Nashville over the past two seasons, Forsberg opened the tap on the skills that made him the 11th overall pick (by the Washington Capitals) in the 2012 draft.

“He does amazing things with the puck in small areas,” Nashville coach Peter Laviollette told NHL.com.

“He can get himself out of trouble with a little drag and a little push, and all of a sudden he’s got 30 yards of clear ice in front of him. That’s talent. That’s special.”

Gaudreau, 21, was an amateur sensation at Boston College where he was saddled with a knock-off nickname from collegiate football star Johnny ­Manziel.

Even though “Johnny Hockey” did not get drafted until the fourth round in 2011 – his 1.75-metre, 70-kilogram frame raised durability doubts – he has been much better in his first NHL season than Manziel was in his National Football League debut.

Gaudreau’s 13 goals and 20 assists have come with a flair that have made him a favourite in Calgary, where the Flames have missed the play-offs the past five years.

“We have a special player,” Flames coach Bob Hartley said. “He’s really amazing – his puck skills, his nose for the net. We’re always talking about his size, but we never talk about his speed. This guy moves, with and without the puck, and that’s what makes him so dangerous.”

Ekblad’s success should not shock anyone because he was the first pick in the 2014 draft.

On the other hand, he is an accomplished defender, at age 18, and has 25 points, second on the Panthers, while earning 22 minutes of ice time per game for coach Gerard Gallant.

The coach did not anticipate so much so soon.

“Offensively, maybe,” Gallant said. “But to see him play the defensive style that he plays – he’s a complete player.”

The trick for all of them is to make it a complete season.

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