Malkin, Schmalkin. A lot of pre-season talk centered around who will be runner up to Evgeni Malkin's Calder Trophy victory this season, and while Anze Kopitar's name certainly came up, he was one of many.

Funny how two games into the NHL season can change all of that.

While Malkin sits out of the first eight or 10 games nursing a dislocated shoulder, Kopitar is getting the superstar treatment in Los Angeles.

The general modus operandi for NHL teams in their treatment of rookies is to ease them into the lineup. The first season consists of 10-12 minutes of ice time per game, some spot time on the power play, and no ice time at all in the final minutes of close games. Philadelphia’s Jeff Carter and New York’s Petr Prucha are the perfect examples of this from last season, and Columbus youngster Gilbert Brule is a fine example this year.

Elite offensive studs who are ready to step right into the rigors of the NHL, such as Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby from last season, and Evgeni Malkin this season, get the star treatment. That is – 18-20 minutes per game, first line opportunities, top power play time…essentially, they are the present of the franchise, as well as the future.

Anze Kopitar, thought to be in the former group, is actually in the latter.

The Los Angeles rookie has been sensational in training camp, and seemed to turn things up a notch further when the season started. He has been, by far and away, the forward with the most ice time for the Kings – logging over 20 minutes a game. He had the most power-play time, the most penalty-kill time, and he has been out there for the final minute of tight games.

Did I mention he has five points in two games?

Once a player has established himself (and…endeared himself?) to his coach and to his teammates, it is hard to take that away from him. For things to change, and for Kopitar to revert to ‘just another good rookie’, he will need to go several games of playing 20 minutes, without tallying a point. It is not very likely, so count on more of the same.

The answer to the question – who will be runner up to Malkin the Calder race? Not so fast. Malkin has not won anything yet…

Meanwhile...

...Richard Zednik has been removed from Alexander Ovechkin’s line in Washington. By default, Chris Clark slides back into that spot, a spot he had for the better part of last season. “By default” – Clark has four points in two games now. His four penalty minutes make him an attractive cheap pickup in roto leagues.

...Ales Kotalik is pointless in three games for Buffalo so far, and has yet to play 13 minutes in a game.

...Carolina has scored just four goals in three games so far. Eric Staal and Erik Cole have just one point each, while Rod Brind’Amour has gone pointless. Opposition is shutting down the Staal line, and that plan works perfectly when the second line is not stepping up.

...It is expected that Colby Armstrong (Pittsburgh) will reach 65-70 points this season playing with Sid the Kid. What poolies may not be aware of is that he could very well notch 120 penalty minutes, too. He has 11 already in just two games.

...Those poolies that jumped on Kim Johnsson as an option on defense because of his new team in Minnesota, should actually be looking elsewhere. Kurtis Foster has more points, has had almost as much ice time, and has been out on the power play more than Johnsson.

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