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Top 5 Calder Trophy Candidates

By Alyssa Naimoli

Oct 2, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) gets ready to take a face-off against the Montreal Canadiens during a preseason hockey game at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) gets ready to take a face-off against the Montreal Canadiens during a preseason hockey game at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 6, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets defensemen Zach Werenski (8) against the Boston Bruins during a preseason hockey game at Nationwide Arena. The Bruins won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 6, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets defensemen Zach Werenski (8) against the Boston Bruins during a preseason hockey game at Nationwide Arena. The Bruins won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

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.

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