The Calder Trophy race is looking extremely deep so far, with Clayton Keller, Mathew Barzal and Brock Broser leading the way in the most exciting NHL Awards race this season.
In 2014-15, the Calder Trophy race was extremely deep. Filip Forsberg, Aaron Ekblad, and Johnny Gaudreau each placed a claim for the NHL’s top rookie. The second wound up winning one of the closest NHL Awards races in several years. Just a few years later, the 2017-18 Calder Trophy race might be even better.
The 2017-18 season started without an overwhelming Calder favorite. This is the case with most seasons, as rookies are hard to project. However, everyone had Clayton Keller of the Arizona Coyotes and Brock Boeser of the Vancouver Canucks penciled in the race. So far, the duo have lived up to the hype, as the two are first and third respectively in points among NHL freshmen.
However, the rookie who is second in points is a bit surprising. Mathew Barzal of the New York Islanders has emerged as one of the likely favorite. He’s been hot as of late, putting up points in nine of his last 11 games. However, Barzal will have to keep up this production if he wants to win. Especially with a deep class behind him.
The Dark Horses
Nico Hischier and Will Butcher have both been outstanding for the New Jersey Devils. Should the surprising Metropolitan Division leaders make the postseason, that will certainly help their respective cases.
Alexander Kerfoot of the Colorado Avalanche and Kyle Connor of the Winnipeg Jets have each been a bit of a surprise. Perhaps their experience has helped them get comfortable more quickly than the others. Each ranks in the top 10 in points per game among rookies. Connor has only played in 15 games, so he’s got to catch up. But he definitely has the talent required to do so.
And of course, you can’t write off Mikhail Sergachev of the Tampa Bay Lightning quite yet. His team’s success will likely give him a bit of an advantage. And Sergachev has been the best first-year defenseman by a mile. Charlie Lindgren of the Montreal Canadiens is a huge underdog in the Calder race, but it’s not hard to see how he could drum up a lot of support. Should he save the Habs season (this assumes Carey Price is out long-term), good luck stopping that hype train.
The Favorite
Right now, my hypothetical Calder Trophy vote would go to Keller. Barzal has been outstanding and Boeser is probably the best rookie goal scorer of this impressive class. However, Keller has been the most impactful rookie, in my opinion.
Forget that he plays for a team that currently resides in the basement of the NHL standings. The Calder is strictly about who the most impressive rookie is. Not the most valuable, nor the best one on a playoff team. It’s strictly an individual award. And as great as Barzal has been, Keller has been even better.
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Of course, with a race this deep, things can change mighty quickly. But so far, this rookie class has been outstanding. It’s telling how Keller, Barzal, and Boeser have separated themselves from everyone else. That tells you how dominant the trio have been.