SAN JOSE -- On a team featuring Joe Thornton, Dany Heatley and Patrick Marleau, it's impressive how Logan Couture has become the centre of attention.
The San Jose Sharks forward went into Tuesday's game against the Edmonton Oilers as the leading rookie scorer in the NHL, having already collected 17 goals and 24 points this season.
He has nearly as many goals as Thornton and Marleau put together.
"I saw him in the OHL and he was a great player there," said Oilers rookie Taylor Hall. "I can't really say I'm surprised with how well he's doing here.
"He was always a good passer in the OHL, he always had a lot more assists than goals. But his goal-scoring prowess this year, from what I've seen, is very good and that's why he's scoring so many goals."
Couture, 21, is one of the leading candidates to win the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year this season.
The Sharks first-round pick -- ninth overall -- in the 2007 NHL entry draft, is still eligible for the award despite playing 25 regular-season games and 15 playoff contests with the Sharks last year.
He went into Tuesday's game five points up on Hall and two on Jordan Eberle in rookie scoring.
"I still feel like a rookie," Couture said. "I don't know how many games I've played, it's got to be close to around 50. But I'm still learning the league, I'm still young and I'm still doing a lot of the rookie stuff."
A native of Guelph, Ont., Couture played with the Ottawa 67's prior to being drafted by the Sharks, behind the likes of Patrick Kane, James van Riemsdyk, Kyle Turris and Sam Gagner.
He was sent back for another two years of junior hockey before spending most of last season with the Sharks AHL affiliate in Worcester.
A late-season call-up, Couture scored five goals in his 25 games with San Jose, then added another four in the playoffs.
"The confidence that he gained last year in the playoffs certainly has helped him," said Sharks head coach Todd McLellan. "He came to camp this year in very good shape and very hungry. But it's been his desire and passion throughout every game. We get the same thing from him every night. He's on the puck hard and puts in a continuous effort. It doesn't die once the puck gets away from him a little bit, he's very hungry to get it back."
Along with his ability to score, Couture also has shown a strong understanding of defensive responsibilities at the NHL level.
It's what allows McLellan to keep sending the rookie over the boards in any situation.
"I've scored a lot of goals this year, which has been nice, I never would have expected it," Couture said. "But I've been happy with the way I've played in my own end and how I've done in the faceoff circle. That's very important to me, I've tried to be a good all-around player. I knew the points would come sooner or later, so I wasn't that worried about it."
Playing behind the Sharks big three has also allowed Couture to fly under the radar somewhat. However, his name is beginning spring up during opponent's pre-game preparations.
"Playing behind those guys, I think, has allowed him some time and space to feel comfortable in the league," McLellan said. "That confidence in the playoff came because nobody knew of him and everyone was focused on the big boys. I do believe that's happened to him this year as well and he's surprised a lot of teams."
Coming to San Jose, Couture could not have asked for a better situation in his first full season playing with Thornton, Heatley and Marleau. They've all been in his situation.
"I learned a lot from those guys," Couture said. "If you watch them day in and day out, you see them play. They handle themselves very well off the ice, they're very approachable, easy to talk to. They come in every day and work hard, there's not much else you can ask from superstars really."
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