Carolina Hurricanes rookie Jeff Skinner is one of the favorites to win the Calder Memorial Trophy this season, the award given to the NHL's top rookie.  Currently, Skinner leads all NHL rookies in scoring and has done so most of the season, but some are saying that might not be good enough.

While a couple of goalies and defensemen are in the mix, let's compare apples to apples and see where Skinner stands compared to his closest competition at the forward position.

Jeff Skinner

#53 / Right Wing / Carolina Hurricanes

Height: 5-10

Weight: 187

Born: May 16, 1992

Logan Couture

#39 / Center / San Jose Sharks

Height: 6-1

Weight: 195

Born: Mar 28, 1989

Michael Grabner

#40 / Right Wing / New York Islanders

Height: 6-0

Weight: 170

Born: Oct 05, 1987

Tyler Ennis

#63 / Center / Buffalo Sabres

Height: 5-9

Weight: 157

Born: Oct 06, 1989

When comparing the stats above, Skinner not only has the highest point total of his competitors, he has more hits, more shootout goals, more game deciding shootout goals, and a higher overall shooting percentage. 

One could also argue that Skinner has been more valuable to his team, since he is the second highest scorer for the Canes.  Couture is fifth highest on the Sharks, Grabner is fourth on the Islanders, and Ennis is also second on the Sabres. 

Skinner is not only the youngest player of the bunch at 18, he's the youngest player in the entire league.  Yet he has consistently been the point leader, or among the leaders, all season.

((UPDATE))  I was reminded of one more item in the comments.  Skinner is number one in the league at drawing penalties, (42).  He is constantly moving and often times is trying to get to the dirty areas on the ice.  He pays the price for the positioning he gets.  

Couture has drawn 15 penalties, Grabner, 14, and Ennis 12.

(According to the report, next highest on the Canes is Ruutu with 25).

Check out Behind The Net  for more details on "penalties drawn".

Corey Crawford would seem to have the edge as far as rookie goaltenders go because he has the most wins.  Sergei Bobrovsky is close behind.

Washington's John Carlson would probably be the leading candidate from the blueline, followed by P.K. Subban and Cam Fowler.

The season is not over yet, but the Markham, Ontario native seems to have a leg up on the competition in more categories than one.  What do you think?

Here are some past winners and their stats: