Early Rookie Standout Tomas Hertl

     Last night 19 year old rookie Tomas Hertl put on a show in San Jose. The new member of the Sharks team showed that he might be the missing piece in the puzzle for them. The Sharks made it to the Western Conference Semi Finals last year, falling to the Kings. They come into this year with most of the same players , and are looking to make a run at for cup. Nobody expected the 6'2" 198 pound Tomas Hertl from the Czech Republic to stand out so early in the year. Hertl scored four goals against the Rangers last night, to add to his total, which is six after last night. He now leads all NHL players in points and goals, including his childhood idol Jaromir Jagr and favorite player Evgeni Malkin. Not only did Hertl score four times last night, but his goals were well earned and come in a variety of different ways.

     The first goal Hertl scored was on a fast break. Andrew Desjardins took the puck down the boards and Hertl broke for the front of the net. Desjardins passed it through Dan Girardi's legs across the middle, right onto Hertl's stickblade. Tomas chipped the puck off the post and into the top shelf. This goal took Henrik Lundqvist out for the rest of the game, and made the score four to nothing. Hertl showed great smarts without the puck here, skating to the front when Desjardins was skating down the boards . it made the goal possible.

     The second goal was a beauty. Hertl received a pass from Joe Thornton, and he was wide open in the middle of the ice. Tomas split the two defenders and walked in on Martin Biron, the backup goalie. Hertl made a nice quick deke, then slid the puck right through the five hole. Hertl looked very poised making this move, as he was calm and fluently performed it.

    The hat trick was completed with a beautiful grinder goal. The Sharks worked the puck around the point, while Hertl battled in front of the net. Tyler Kennedy passes to Jason Demers on the top of the circles, who finds a way to get the puck to Hertl. Ryan Mcdonagh leaves him for Demers, and he is open in front. He just picks up the puck, turns around, and fires it through the five hole. Hertl showed good strength in front of the net, and picked a good spot to shoot the puck, right through Biron's legs. This was a true grinder goal.

     After Hertl achieved his hat trick, he showed great confidence and pulled off a spectacular move. It is rare to see such an amazing move, especially by a youngster. Hertl drove to the net with confidence and speed, and beat the defender with room to spare. Hertl, a lefty, came in on Biron, and put his stick with the puck between his legs. Not only did he score between the legs, but he lifted the puck top shelf over a sprawling Biron full speed. Hertl proved he had so much skill, as well as confidence, pulling off a move like that. This truly attracted attention around the hockey world, as this is considered one of the best moves hockey players are able to pull off.

     Hertl is still very young, and has a lot of time to develop. His play right now is off the charts for a rookie, and I think he is going to be able to keep it going for a week or two more. Hertl has impressed the hockey world, but has also put a lot of pressure on himself. Hockey fans have high expectations for him now, and if he doesn't perform well, he will face scrutiny. I am a fan of Tomas Hertl, and hope he can develop into the superstar potential he has shown. I think what we are seeing now is a glimpse of the future, but I doubt he can keep up his goal scoring pace this whole year. As he develops, I expect him to become more consistent. Even though he probably won't keep up his superstar pace all year, I think he will be a top contender for the Caulder Memorial Trophy with Nathan MacKinnon, Torey Krug, and Seth Jones.