Worth the wait: after faltering in 2002, Islanders winger Trent Hunter stuck in the NHL—and led all rookies in goal scoring

Hockey Digest, July-August, 2004 by John Kreiser

The best thing, as far as the Flyers are concerned, is that he's only going to improve as he matures and grows more accustomed to life in the NHL

"He's going to be a special player when he matures," says coach Ken Hitchcock. "It seems like he's very comfortable for someone who's only 20, and he's a guy who's only going to get better."

Unlike the Flyers, who actively sought Pitkanen, the Nashville Predators had Zidlicky almost dropped in their laps. The Czech-born defenseman was part of the package the Preds received from the New York Rangers last season when they shipped goaltender Mike Dunham to the Big Apple. The Rangers had drafted him as a 24-year-old in 2001, but dealt him away. Zidlicky remained in Europe until last fall, when the Predators signed him and brought him over after three seasons in which he led or lied for the scoring lead among defensemen in the Finnish League.

The results have been spectacular. Zidlicky led all first-year defensemen in goals and points, and his play was a key reason the Predators were contending for the first playoff berth in franchise history. The highlight of Zidlicky's season came on Feb. 18, when he set a team record with five assists, all on the power play, in a 7-3 victory over San Jose. Zidlicky's addition has kept Nashville's power play among the top10--no mean feat for a team that has never finished better than 23rd with the extra man.

His presence with the puck has impressed coach Barry Trotz.

"He can have people all around him and he doesn't panic," Trotz says. "He's good at seeing the passing lanes and he knows what he's going to do with the puck before he gets it."

2003-04 All-Rookie Team

Pos.   Player, team                   Age   Drafted                 Gm.

 F     Trent Hunter, N.Y. Islanders    23   1998 (No. 150 overall)   77
 F     Ryan Malone, Pittsburgh         24   1999 (No. 115)           81
 F     Patrice Bergeron, Boston        18   2003 (No. 45)            71
 D     Marek Zidlicky, Nashville       27   2001 (No. 176)           82
 D     Joni Pitkanen, Philadelphia     20   2002 (No. 4)             71

Pos.   Player, team                     G     A    Pts.      /-     PIM

 F     Trent Hunter, N.Y. Islanders    25     26     51      23      16
 F     Ryan Malone, Pittsburgh         22     21     43     -23      64
 F     Patrice Bergeron, Boston        16     23     39       5      22
 D     Marek Zidlicky, Nashville       14     39     53     -16      82
 D     Joni Pitkanen, Philadelphia      8     19     27      15      44

Pos.   Player, team                   Age    Drafted                Gm.

 G     Andrew Raycroft, Boston         24    1998 (No. 135)          57

Pos.   Player, team                   Record     GA   GAA    SO     Sv%

 G     Andrew Raycroft, Boston        29-18-9   117   2.05    3    .926