NHL: Top 5 Calder Trophy candidates for the 2019-20 season

Alexandre Texier

The case for Texier: Alexandre Texier was a surprising contributor for the Columbus Blue Jackets in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He picked up three points in eight playoff games after scoring a goal in two regular-season games.

Texier’s got a very good shot, as he displayed in Game 4 of the first round of the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Tampa Bay Lightning. His shot is certainly something the Blue Jackets could use on their power-play.

If Texier can earn a permanent spot on their top power-play unit and their top power-play unit can produce like it has the potential to, he could quietly tally an impressive point total. Overseas in Liiga with KalPa Kuopio, Texier was one of their best players, posting 41 points in 55 games. He led the team in points despite being one of their youngest players.

There will be spots available in the Blue Jackets top-nine forward group. Texier seems to have the inside track on grabbing one of them.

The case against Texier: The Blue Jackets lost quite a bit of talent this summer, which weakens their top-nine forward group a bit. Also, head coach John Tortorella has been reluctant to trust rookies in the past, though it’s encouraging he trusts Pierre-Luc Dubois as much as he does.

Verdict: Texier’s a dark horse candidate. A lot of his candidacy highlights why it’s so hard to predict the Calder Trophy. If Texier has things go his way, he has a chance of winning the Calder. But it’s so hard to predict how things will go for rookies, especially ones as young as him at 20 years old.

Cale Makar

What does the other team say when they want to know where Cale is on the ice? “Dude, where’s Makar?”

The case for Makar: Cale Makar is extremely talented. Fans saw this during the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Makar didn’t even get into any regular-season games. All he did was sign his deal after taking his college team to the national championship, show up, and dominate. In 10 postseason games, Makar put up six points while playing over 17 minutes per game.

The Colorado Avalanche lost Tyson Barrie, which is a sizeable loss. His defensive concerns aside, few defensemen can do what he does with the puck. Makar might be one of them. He’s in a great position to get a lot of playing time. Makar was already trusted quite a bit on the Avalanche’s power-play in the postseason.

Barrie’s departure means Makar is likely getting time with Colorado’s first power-play unit. He showed in college he can be a one-man show. Makar also showed in the postseason he can step up his play in big games.

The case against Makar: As I stated earlier, it’s really hard for defensemen to win the Calder. Voters like gaudy point totals and defensemen typically don’t have those. When defensemen win, it’s usually because there weren’t any excellent forwards. This year isn’t shaping to be one of those years (more on that later).

Verdict: Makar will be a Calder Trophy contender. Again, it’s hard for defensemen to win, but it’s plausible for him to pull it off.

Kaapo Kakko

The case for Kakko: There might not be a more NHL-ready rookie forward this season than Kaapo Kakko. He’s already proven he can dominate against professional players, as he had a record-setting season in Liiga with 22 goals, the most of any under-18 player in league history. The only under-18 players with more points? Mikael Granlund and Aleksander Barkov. That’s nice company to be in.

Kakko is playing for a huge hockey market. The New York Rangers are an Original Six team and are one of the league’s most profitable and popular teams. They’ll be featured on NBC Sports 13 times during the 2019-20 season, so Kakko will get plenty of chances to show what he can do.

The case against Kakko: Kakko will likely play in a second-line role for the Rangers, but he could get first-line minutes. This is usually insignificant for me, but there’s a pretty big dropoff from playing with Mika Zibanejad and Artemi Panarin and playing with Chris Kreider and Filip Chytil.

Chytil should be a top-six center at some point, but the 2019-20 season is likely going to be full of growing pains for the young center. Also, there’s a good chance Kreider will be traded. If Kakko can steal that top-line right wing spot away from Pavel Buchnevich, he’ll be in a terrific position to produce. But I’m not sure he does that.

Verdict: I’d be surprised if Kakko isn’t a Calder Trophy finalist. Even if he doesn’t start the season with Zibanejad and Panarin, I have a feeling he’ll work his way up there.

Jack Hughes

The case for Hughes: Jack Hughes is easily one of the favorites to win the Calder Trophy. He’s a number one overall pick, which shows just how talented he is. Hughes has been impressive in the preseason as well, showing he belongs in the NHL. He’s leaving the USNTDP as its most prolific player of all-time.

He’s already one of the fastest players in the league, and likely one of the most skilled as well. Hughes will be getting a big role with the New Jersey Devils as well. If he earns a spot on the first power-play unit with the likes of Taylor Hall and P.K. Subban, he’s going to put up a ton of points.

The case against Hughes: As high as his upside is, there are rookies more NHL ready than Hughes. And that’s understandable. He has minimal experience playing against professional players, even if he has impressed in a small sample size. There’s no doubt Hughes will be a star at some point, but it’s fair to question if he’s ready to be one right away. That’s a very hard thing to do.

Verdict: Easily one of the Calder favorites. Hughes will likely be a Calder finalist unless he gets injured or struggles. He enters the 2019-20 season as the Calder favorite. Hughes plays a premium position. He’ll be in a position for success. All of that adds up to having a great chance at winning the Calder Trophy.