Auston Matthews is the Ultimate Calder Trophy Candidate

When You Hear the Name ‘Auston Matthews’ the First Thing to Come to Mind is NHL Rookie Super Star. Even if Matthews Wasn’t Playing as Phenomenal as He is, His Name Would Still Be Synonymous With NHL Rookie Success.

Each year the Calder Trophy goes to the season’s best rookie talent, usually the player who gives his team the most help and notches the most points. Rookies, every season, put their best play forward to craft the perfect campaign for the Calder.

This season the Calder Trophy is going to either Maple Leafs rookie Auston Matthews or Jets rookie Patrik Laine. Both of these rookies are posting unbelievable rookie seasons and have topped the NHL on several occasions.

Here, we’ll talk about why Auston Matthews has every ingredient for the NHL’s perfect, and ideal, Calder Trophy winner.

Making Auston Matthews

The Origins of a Future Hockey Legend

Matthews was drafted first overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft and has had eyed on him since the moment the Maple Leafs’ handed them his new jersey. Since joining the Leafs this season, Matthews has continued to impress.

In fact, Matthews notched four goals in his NHL debut, a feat basically unheard of. The amount of rookie talent this season and the prediction that some of these rookies will be NHL legends is plentiful and Matthews is a huge part of this.

The Season so Far

Currently, the 19-year-old has 32 goals and 24 assists, giving him 56 points in 70 games played. This pulls Matthews in at second place in terms of points and goals on the NHL’s rookie board. Jets rookie Laine sits ahead of him with 33 goals and 60 points.

Matthews has been an incredible leader for the Leafs, who currently hold the second wild card spot for the Eastern Conference. Compare this standing to Toronto’s last place position at the end of last season. Sure, Matthews isn’t the only reason the team is where it is now but, let’s admit, he is a driving force in that.

Written History

There aren’t many who wouldn’t want to see Matthews take home the Calder at the end of this season. He has been an NHL favorite from the moment he accepted his Toronto jersey. The Arizona-native has been unstoppable since his debut and it is difficult to stop raving about his four-goal debut.

Rookie Check-In

Laine has also been outstanding this season and currently leads all NHL rookies. The NHL and fans alike have been trying to push for a Matthews-Laine rivalry but the two young prodigies won’t fall for it.

Toronto’s Mitch Marner and Columbus’ Zach Werenski have also held prominent positions on the NHL’s rookie board and have been standout players for their teams as well. The amount of rookie talent is certianly overwhelming, which makes this choice a hard one.

Next: Top 5 Rookie Campaigns for the Calder

Regardless, there can only be one Calder Trophy champion and between Matthews’ skill, reputation and his ability to be loved by many, he might be a shoo-in for the trophy. But that doesn’t mean Laine won’t stop reaching higher.

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Auston Matthews: Ultimate Calder Trophy Candidate

By Alyssa Naimoli | Mar 19, 2017