Cody Hodgson

This year’s version of the Vancouver Canucks again looks poised to make the long run to the Stanley Cup Finals.  And when one looks at how similar the 2011-12 version of the Canucks is to last year’s team that lost in Game 7 of the Finals to the Boston Bruins, it only makes sense that the Canucks are considered favourites in the NHL’s Western Conference.

The Vancouver Canucks will be visiting the Ottawa Senators tonight on Hockey Night in Canada.

This will be a rare appearance for the Canucks on the early slot of Hockey Night in Canada, and will give eastern viewers a chance to see Canada's best team. 

The game starts at 7 p.m. Eastern, 4 p.m. Pacific and can be watched on CBC. For those who might be out Christmas shopping, it can also be heard on Team 1040 radio. 

Cody Hodgson is the most talked about Canucks rookie since the Sedins debuted over a decade ago.   

So how is he doing this season? Is he meeting the expectations of Canucks fans? 

While it's still early in the year, there have already been several rookie standouts that are making their case for the Calder Trophy.

With a wide array of talented, first-year players to choose from, there have been few stand-alone candidates to this point. However, the season is still young, and as it progresses you will start to see leaders separating themselves from the pack.

For now, we're left to examine the players currently making a name for themselves as rookies around the league.

What will the 2011-2012 season bring for Cody Hodgson?

Drafted 10th overall in 2008, Hodgson was considered a can’t miss prospect—especially after following his draft year by leading Team Canada in scoring at the 2009 World Junior Championship (where Canada won gold and Hodgson had 16 points in six games) and being named the 2008-09 CHL Player of the Year.

Since then, Hodgson has hit on hard times. Injuries have marred his development, and Vancouver’s depth at centre has limited his opportunity.

The Vancouver Canucks might have dropped the ball with the development of  former 10th overall pick in the 2008 National Hockey League Entry Draft, Cody Hodgson. 

The Toronto, Ontario native looked to be a can't miss prospect after having an unbelievable breakout season with his Ontario Hockey League Club the Brampton Battalion in the 2008-09 season.

The Chicago Blackhawks staged an early Easter miracle and resurrected the championship form that had been missing from the first three playoff games (and most of the regular season).

But it appears to be too little, too late.

Being anointed a team's "top prospect" can be both a blessing and a jinx. Many past prospects have used this added pressure as fuel to become bona fide NHLers.

On the flip side, some have crumbled under the intense scrutiny and have never really panned out for their respective NHL teams.

Pavel Brendl, anyone?

There is no doubt that some of the players on this list will emerge as legitimate superstars in the NHL, for others, this may be the last time you hear of them.

According to Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun, the Vancouver Canucks are set to recall forwards Cody Hodgson and Victor Oreskovich from the Manitoba Moose of the AHL and are going to be joining the Canucks for their playoff run. 

The official paper work won't be filed until Monday, after the regular season is completed because the Canucks do not have the cap space to fit Hodgson's $1,666,666 and Oreskovich's $575,000 cap hit.

The rumor mills have churned out another intriguing trade possibility, this time involving a pair of Canadian teams from opposite ends of the spectrum.

For a few weeks, speculation has grown about the possibility of the Toronto Maple Leafs parting ways with forward Kris Versteeg, who was acquired in a trade with the defending Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks over the offseason.