Top 5 Calder Trophy Candidates at the End Of November
When deciding the NHL awards, one of the most talked about awards is the Calder Trophy, as people debate which young star deserves it more based on several criteria.
Although some years have deeper rookie classes than others, a few rookies are head and shoulders above the others. The rookies are the chosen few to be awarded the Calder Trophy at the end of the season.
The Calder Trophy is awarded to the player who was most proficient in his first year of competition, or the league’s best rookie. The Calder Trophy has been awarded 89 times, with no award being given during the 2004-05 lockout season.
Top five Calder Trophy candidates at the end of November.
The Calder Trophy was awarded first in 1932-33. The inaugural recipient was Detroit center, Carl Voss. Voss played 38 games, scoring six goals and 15 assists for 21 points in route to winning the award.
The award is dedicated to former NHL president Frank Calder. Calder purchased a trophy each year, which would then be given yearly to the league’s outstanding rookie, as this occurred until his untimely death in 1943. After his passing, the NHL created the Calder Trophy in his honor.
In total, 29 players in the Hall of Fame have won the Calder Trophy. This list includes Voss, Sweeney Schriner, Frank Brimsek, Johnny Bower, Terry Sawchuk, Emile Francis, Gerry Cheevers, Al Arbour, Andy Bathgate, Frank Mahovlich, Bobby Orr, Larry Robinson, Doug Harvey, Patrick Roy, Pavel Bure, Peter Forsberg, and Fred Shero.
There are controversies surrounding the award. Some fans and media speculate the award should not be awarded to rookies of a certain age, experience, or anyone based on how much the team wins or loses. Right or wrong, the award is presented to the best overall rookie contributor.
Here are the top five candidates to win the Calder Trophy as of the end of November.
Matty Beniers, Seattle Kraken
Seattle Kraken forward Matty Beniers has been the best overall rookie so far. In his rookie campaign, he scored nine goals and eleven assists for 20 points in 22 games. He is first in scoring, second in goals scored, second in assists, and third in points per game with 0.75.
Beniers has been arguably Seattle’s best player en route to Seattle having a 14-5-3 record, which is second in the Pacific Division.
Beniers has been a top-six forward since making his NHL debut. He is a smooth skater, yet gets in the dirty areas if it means creating an opportunity in the offensive zone.
A tenacious forechecker, Beniers is an offensive threat when on the ice. He sees the ice well and makes good decisions with the puck. He is a skilled forward who creates offense out of nothing, sometimes while in the defensive zone.
Beniers has an array of tools that he can use to create offense. He has incredible passing skills, an NHL shot, and he is one step ahead of the play most nights. Beniers is only a rookie, but he is putting this team on his back and leading the charge.
Drafted second by the Seattle Kraken in the 2021 NHL Draft, He came into the league with high expectations. Beniers has a quiet confidence that has led him to exceed those expectations so far in his NHL career.
Beniers also has a good defensive game and the speed to catch an opposing forward in the defensive zone. He is defensively responsible, adding to his all-around game. He is the favorite to win the Calder Trophy a month into the season.
Kent Johnson, Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kent Johnson has been the second-best rookie in the league. In his rookie campaign, he has produced five goals and six assists for 11 points in 18 games.
The Blue Jackets are in last place in the Metropolitan Division with a 7-12-2 record with no fault to Johnson.
Johnson is tied for third in goals for rookies, second in rookie scoring, tied for second in rookie power play goals, and sixth in shooting percentage for rookies at 22.7%. If it were not for Beniers, Johnson would lead the Calder race this season.
Columbus has been known as a team with a need for scoring and Johnson helps fill that void. A skilled playmaker, he also has a laser shot that he uses on the rush or on his off-wing. He sees the ice well, giving him and his teammates opportunities to get creative offensively.
At 6-foot-1 and 168 pounds, Johnson has a bit of filling out to do, which will help in board battles. Drafted by Columbus fifth overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, he played his college hockey with the NCAA Michigan Wolverines.
In his last five games, Johnson has two power-play goals and two assists for four points. In his last ten, he has two goals and one assist for three points.
Johnson, a native of Port Moody, British Columbia, could be that offensive weapon that turns the Blue Jackets into playoff contenders once again in the near future.
Fabian Zetterlund, New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils forward Fabian Zetterlund is the most impactful rookie that people are not talking about.
As New Jersey continues to be in first place with a 19-4 record, Zetterlund contributes to the team’s success. In his first 18 NHL games, he has four goals and eight assists for 12 points. Zetterlund is first in rookie plus/minus with a +12 and is tenth in rookie points.
Zetterlund is a versatile player that can play any position on any line. In his last five games, he has one goal and three assists for four points.
What makes him special is that he was not drafted until the third round (63rd overall) in the 2017 NHL Draft by New Jersey.
In his young career, he has been productive offensively anywhere he has played. Zetterlund set a career-high in points with 52 (24 goals and 28 assists) in 58 games with the AHL Utica Comets in 2021-22.
Zetterlund may be an unknown prospect to many, but he has a chance to lead New Jersey to as much success as any other rookie. Not a physical player, he relies heavily on his two-way game to find success for himself and his teammates.
A Calder Trophy dark horse, he is putting in the hard work and it is showing in his stats. Zetterlund is certainly living his dream on one of the best teams in the league right now. Not a bad way to start off your NHL career and one that could land him some hardware.
Jake Sanderson, Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson is putting together a solid rookie season.
Although the Senators were hoping for a more successful season, they are witnessing one of their top-tier prospects showing he can play in the NHL. Sanderson could be the best defenseman Ottawa has right now.
Sanderson has produced one goal and 10 assists for 11 points in 22 games. He is second amongst rookies in time on ice with an average of 20:52. His duration and ability are helping turn the Senators’ season around as they are currently in last place in the Atlantic Division with an 8-13-1 record.
Sanderson is going to be successful regardless if he plays a regular shift or special teams, plays five minutes a night, or 30 minutes a night. Sanderson has a special talent that allows him to be successful without being offensively gifted, even though he can produce offensively.
The son of long-time NHLer Geoff Sanderson, Jake can join the rush to get an offensive opportunity or stay back and defend his zone. Sanderson also adds a physical aspect to his game, making him an all-around threat.
Ottawa drafted Sanderson fifth overall in the 2020 NHL Draft, making him a cornerstone piece for the future of the franchise.
Coming out of the University of North Dakota of the NCAA, Sanderson has the drive to be the best defenseman of this rookie crop and a solid defenseman for the Senators for years to come. Sanderson can be a Norris Trophy candidate in the future as he is that good and that polished.
Akira Schmid, New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils goaltender Akira Schmid has helped the Devils reach their record of 19-4 and could be on his way to a Calder Trophy at the season’s end.
Schmid has played extremely well this season, posting a 4-0 record with a goals-against average of 1.24 and a save percentage of .953. His save percentage is first among rookies, and he is also first in goals-against average.
Yes, it is only four games, but it was against NHL competition, and he looked comfortable in between the pipes.
Schmid looks like a veteran in the crease, managing the game from the net. For a goaltender, he has a good outlet pass, pushing the play to his forwards, and taking control in the offensive end.
Schmid looks like a steal after being drafted in the fifth round (136th overall) in the 2018 NHL Draft.
After years of playing in Switzerland and making his pro debut with the Utica Comets, Schmid has certainly earned his way to a spot on an NHL roster, and he is making the most of it.
Schmid has good post-to-post agility, gives up few rebounds, plays the shooters aggressively, and is locked in on the puck when it crosses the blue line.
Although Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Logan Thompson is having a better season statistically, fans and media should not sleep on Schmid. He is a good, young goaltender who may just be the starter in New Jersey before the end of the season.
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There is lots of talent and promise with Akira Schmid, and he is one player that could play an important role in the future success of the Devils.