On day three of this week’s award announcements, the National Hockey League announced on Wednesday the league’s three finalists for the Calder Memorial Trophy.
As described by the NHL, the Calder Trophy, handed out yearly, is given “to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League. The trophy is named after Frank Calder, the very first president of the National Hockey League.
Leading off in this year’s candidate fold is defensemen Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks. In his first year in the NHL, Hughes, an Orlando native, racked up eight goals and 45 assists. That made for an impressive total of 53 points at the age of 20. Having done so in the team’s 50th season, Hughes became the team’s third rookie defensemen, and first in 48 years, to reach the 50-point mark in a season.
As if that didn’t say quite enough, Hughes also shattered an old record, becoming the first defensemen to lead all rookies outright in scoring in a season since Brian Leetch in 1988-89. Behind Brian Leetch with this record was Canadian defensemen Jocelyn Guevremont. As a rookie himself, he scored 51 in 1971-72. Before the former Canuck was Dale Tallon, Florida Panthers GM. Looking back to his playing days, the executive scored 56 points back in 1970-1971.
Behind Hughes for consideration is Dominik Kubalik of the Chicago Blackhawks. In his first year in the NHL, Kubalik, a native of Plzen, racked up 30 goals and 16 assists. That made for an impressive total of 46 points at 24-years-old. Having done so in the “Windy City,” Kubalik became the fifth Blackhawks rookie to reach the 30-goal plateau in a single season.
The last one listed in this category was Artemi Panarin in 2015-16. Behind Panarin with this record was Eric Daze in 1995-96. Before the former Blackhawk was winger Steve Larmer in 1982-83. At the bottom of the list is Darryl Sutter, former NHL forward, head coach and executive.
If his ranking does not speak volumes enough as to what he offers when he’s out on the ice, NHL PR cites that he led all league rookies with his 30 goals on North American ice. To be a little more specific, that included 19 goals compiled in 29 games dating back to January 1st.
Lastly, behind Dominik Kubalik is Canadian defensemen Cale Makar. Makar, a native of Calgary, racked up 12 goals and 38 assists. That made for an impressive total of 50 points at 21-years-old. Having done so in the Rocky Mountains, Makar established a Avalanche/Nordiques franchise record for most points in a season by a rookie defensemen.
Speaking of which, as noted by NHL PR, Makar broke the previous plateau set by Quebec’s Bruce Bell in 1984-85. Bell collected 37 points when the franchise was housed at Colisée Pepsi. To cap off his abilities offensively, Makar’s 0.88 P/GP in 2019-20 was the highest in a season by a rookie defensemen since Brian Leetch’s 1.04 P/GP which he recorded in 1988-89 (min. 10 GP).
All three players are vying candidates for the most outstanding rookie award, but only one gets it at the end of the day, and in my mind, I think it goes to Quinn Hughes. It’s up to the PHWA to make the final decision to determine the winner. Congrats to all three players on their booming success and here’s to more moving forward.