High & Inside: Winners of NHL rookie roulette

THE NHL IS not like pro football or basketball when it comes to rookies. Many draft picks develop elsewhere before they arrive in the big leagues.

The Flyers selected Sean Couturier with the eighth pick in 2011. Normally, he'd have been assigned to juniors to refine his game, but he had an excellent training camp and forced the team to keep him on the active roster.

The seven players taken before Couturier also have had interesting winters. Here's a look at who's doing what among the top eight:

1. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Edmonton: Had 35 points in 38 games and was the leading candidate for rookie of the year before injuring his shoulder. Expected to be out until after the All-Star break.

2. Gabriel Landeskog, Colorado: Has played in every game for the Avalanche and was a team-best plus-11 heading into last night.

3. Jonathan Huberdeau, Florida: Is the team captain for his junior team (Saint John/QMJHL) and has 31 points in 16 games.

4. Adam Larsson, New Jersey: The only defenseman of the group, Larsson has played in every game for the Devils. He has two goals and 13 assists and is averaging about 18 minutes per.

5. Ryan Strome, N.Y. Islanders: Playing in juniors (Niagara/OHL) with 40 points in 28 games.

6. Mika Zibanejad, Ottawa: Started the season with the Senators, but was farmed out after nine games. Became a national hero when he scored in overtime to give Sweden the junior championship over Russia earlier this month.

7. Mark Scheifele, Winnipeg: Has 41 points in 23 games for Barrie of the OHL.

8. Sean Couturier, Flyers: Has become an integral part of the rotation. Kills penalties, wins faceoffs and has scored a goal in five consecutive games.

Did you notice that former Phillies prospect J.A. Happ avoided arbitration by signing a 1-year deal for $2.35 million? Happ went 6-15 with a 5.35 ERA last year and now will be making five times the $474,000 he made in 2011.