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Five key rookies face serious obstacles

By E.J. Hradek
ESPN The Magazine

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Every rookie's season is filled with uncertainty. (How will I do? Am I good enough?) But there's one thing all of them can count on: As Old Man Winter gets serious past the midseason, the newbies will hit "the wall." It could stem from too many minutes, too much responsibility -- or too much of everything. Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock has witnessed the effect, and he calls it "overwhelming." Some players persevere; others wither and wilt. Here's how these early-season success stories can hit ...

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