The 2014-15 campaign has been a great one for rookies as many young players have taken the NHL by storm.
There are plenty of Calder Trophy candidates circulating in the NHL and whether they play for contenders or pretenders, these young men have made their mark with fantastic first seasons.
Here is a look at six possible Calder Trophy candidates and six young players that should be on anyone's fantasy team if they're available in your league.
6) Aaron Ekblad, Florida Panthers: The 19-year old defenseman has been a force this season as he is tied for first among all rookie blue liners with 10 goals, 23 assists and 33 points -- all which lead Panthers' defenseman -- in 63 games. Ekblad has notched four power play tallies and nine power play points and owns a plus-8 rating.
Ekblad, the 2014 No. 1 overall pick, is a big reason why the Panthers have remained in the hunt this season as the team enters Tuesday with 69 points, just two shy of the Boston Bruins for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
5) John Klingberg, Dallas Stars: The 22-year-old defenseman is tied with Ekblad for first among NHL rookies with 10 tallies, 23 helpers and 33 points and he did it in 14 less games. Klingberg, selected in the fifth round of the 2010 NHL Draft, also paces all rookies with 10 points on the man advantage and leads Dallas in goals, assists and points.
His first year in the league comes at a rough time for the Stars as they have 63 points, nine shy of a playoff spot with a lot of teams in front of them.
4) Anders Lee, New York Islanders: The 24-year-old is having a breakout season in his rookie campaign, ranking third among rookies in goals (20) and third in points (33, tied). Lee has thrived on the top line lately for New York and is a plus-13 while he's also added four power play goals. Lee was taken in the sixth round of the 2009 NHL Draft.
The Islanders have had a great season and currently sit in second place in the Metropolitan Division with 84 points.
3) Mike Hoffman, Ottawa Senators: The 25-year-old forward leads all NHL rookies and the Senators with 23 goals and a plus-23 rating thus far this season and is third among first-year players with 39 points. Hoffman was taken in the fifth round of the 2009 NHL Draft.
The Senators (64) enter Tuesday six points shy of the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with three teams to jump.
2) Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary Flames: Johnny Hockey, 21, is having a great year for the Flames as he is second among rookies in points (44), assists (29), power play goals (four) and power play points (13). Gaudreau is fourth among first-year players with 15 markers and was a fourth-round pick in 2011.
The Flames have had a great season, but are clinging to playoff hopes in the Pacific Division as they are in third with 71 points, but have dealt with injuries and have lost four out of five.
1) Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators: The 20-year-old center paces all rookies with 52 points, 31 assists, five power play goals and 17 points on the man advantage while he is tied for the Predators lead with 21 goals. Forsberg was the 11th overall pick of the 2012 NHL Draft.
Nashville is enjoying a great season as the team is atop the Central Division and NHL with 89 points.
These rookies have made a great impact on the 2014-15 season and some of them have contributed enough that they'll get the first taste of the Stanley Cup playoffs this spring.
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