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Handicapping the Hobey

This is an odd year in the Hobey Baker Award race.

Not taking anything away from those players who are putting up numbers this year, but it wasn't until the last few weeks that any real favorites could be distinguished.

Coming into this season, things were as wide open as they've ever been. So much high-end talent has been scooped up by the pros in recent years, that the players who are left are a mix of solid veterans who are reaching the peak of their college capabilities, and raw-yet-talented freshmen.

There are only 13 NHL First Round draft picks playing in the NCAA right now, and 11 of them were taken this past June.