Top 5 Calder Trophy Candidates
5. Mitch Marner – Toronto Maple Leafs
Mitch Marner has been a surprise standout for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Toronto has an abundance of young talent this season and eyes didn’t fall on Marner from the start but he is proving he is an incredible standout player.
Marner has 23 points ( 8 G, 15 A) so far this season; he leads the Maple Leafs in assists and is second for his point total. On the rookie board, Marner sits third in points and fourth in terms of goals.
Marner came out as an underdog but is steadily showing how vital of a player he can be. The forward has been great for the Maple Leafs so far this season, especially alongside the team’s other young talent.
Though one might not expect Marner to make a run for the Calder Trophy, his odds are just as good as any rookies, especially when he performs like he has so far. Marner might be an underdog but the rest of the season is all his to prove that he can rack up points and be an outstanding player.
Marner is ready to show the NHL what he can do and Toronto fans are very certain that he will do so even more.
4. Zach Werenski – Columbus Blue Jackets
Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets is a bit of a dark horse in the race for the Calder. The rookie defenseman has been extremely useful for the third-place team. Columbus has been excelling as of late and is just one point from taking first place in the Metropolitan Division.
Werenski has been a big part of Columbus’ success lately. The defenseman currently has 21 points (6 G, 15 A), making him second in terms of assists and second in terms of plus-minus (+8).
Werenski came into Columbus to prove that he has the skill to take on the team’s first defensive pair and how much of an asset he can be on the power play. The defenseman is solid by the blue line and skilled on offense; Werenski is showing the NHL that he has a lot to offer.
Werenski will aim to pursue the Calder Trophy just as Florida Panther Aaron Ekblad did when he won in 2015. The d-man has a lot to offer and, while it might be more difficult to demonstrate his skill opposed to his forward counterparts, Werenski is showing that the challenge won’t bother him.
Werenski is a dark horse in the Calder race but his campaign is just as strong as his competitors and in a League that is unpredictable, as long as he keeps proving himself and helping Columbus win, it might be enough to seal the deal.
3. Jimmy Vesey – New York Rangers
New York Rangers‘ rookie Jimmy Vesey caused a bit of a ruckus through the league over the offseason by announcing he would pursue free agency rather than signing with the Buffalo Sabres. Vesey announced that he would be headed to New York after a small signing frenzy.
Vesey was chosen 66th overall by the Nashville Predators in the 2012 Entry Draft; the forward decided to attend Harvard University prior to joining the League. Now, Vesey is debuting in his first NHL season and has been far from disappointing.
Vesey has 17 points(10 G, 7 A) this season and is fourth on the team in terms of goals, being a big contributor the Rangers’ league-leading goal count and third on the rookie board for his goals. Vesey came in and became an instant contributor regardless of which line he was playing with.
Vesey has excelled along the sides of players like Rick Nash, Jesper Fast and Kevin Hayes alike; no matter who Vesey plays with, he is a productive and effective linemate. He came in as a solid top-six player and has been producing like one.
Vesey is using his skills and knowledge of the game to run his Calder campaign. Vesey’s presence makes players, and lines, better and he has the ability to make plays, score and produce. His on-ice presence is solid, stable and strong, therefore he is a valuable player in the rink. He has already contributed so much production and skill despite it being his first year in the League.
2. Auston Matthews – Toronto Maple Leafs
Auston Matthews is the first overall pick from the summer draft and probably the most anticipated player this season. The rookie has already proved his worth and more so far this season with the Maple Leafs.
Matthews currently leads the Leafs in points with 24 points (15 G, 9 A), just one point ahead of Marner. Matthews’ skills and abilities made his a highly coveted player heading into the 2016 Draft.
The rookie posted four goals in his NHL debut alone and is second on the NHL rookie board in terms of goals and points. Matthews is seemingly unstoppable and despite any obstacles, he might face, he continues to produce and score.
The rookie is making an excellent campaign for his candidacy for the Calder Cup. He is leading the Maple Leafs, alongside other rookie talents, to boosted offense and some pretty impressive goals.
Matthews is an effective motivator and leader for his team who consistently makes smart moves and plays in the game. He is a good puck-handler, a consistent scorer and knows when and how to step up for his team when they need it.
The Maple Leafs might be in the bottom of the Atlantic Division but their rookies are performing. Toronto’s rookie talents are the future of the team and, though it isn’t paying off now, these players will lead the team to a brighter future.