The 1970's ballad by Meatloaf 'Two Out of Three Ain't Bad' applies to the success being found by the Edmonton Oilers top three rookies.
Jordan Eberle and Taylor Hall are finding their way but the same can't be said for teammate Magnus Paajarvi. While the two Canadian born pucksters are running into some learning curves and bumps along the road to stardom, the Swede has been struggling.
When the season was about to begin I thought Paajarvi would be the one who shot out of the gate. He looked bigger, stronger and faster by small amounts and also held the edge in experience. Paajarvi had spent three seasons playing against men in the Swedish Elite League and I thought he'd have the best start.
However I was dead wrong. Eberle has shown an off-the-chart hockey sense even though a quick look may not show off any of his many skills. Hall isn't always as noticeable but when he's going it's end-to-end rushes with a whipping wrist shot. He has a flair and style that's hard to find in teenagers.
I thought Paajarvi would be a mix of both and I think one day he will be, but today isn't that day. It's been a struggle to adjust to a new ice surface and a new life in Canada. Yet I think when Paajarvi figures it out he will push his fellow freshmen for the title of best young player on the team.
It's a healthy competition between the three and one that should last another decade or so.
