NHL.com Looks at the Calder Race

[RGM81]

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=554131

There has been some clarity in the race for the Calder Trophy as a few forwards have moved ahead of a once-crowded group of contenders.

Last season Buffalo defenseman Tyler Myers captured the award, but it doesn't look like any of this year's blue-line freshmen will approach Myers' production (11 goals, 48 points, 23:44 of ice time).

Detroit's Jimmy Howard was a finalist last season, but at this point in the season it looks the top rookie goaltenders -- Philadelphia's Sergei Bobrovsky, Chicago's Corey Crawford and Washington's Michal Neuvirth -- probably won't end up with enough starts to be in the mix. Crawford has the accompanying numbers (save percentage and goals-against average) to squeeze into the top three if he were to help the Blackhawks into the playoffs with a great stretch run, but for now there are four forwards who have broken clear of the pack.


Logan Couture
Center - SJS
GOALS: 25 | ASST: 18 | PTS: 43
SOG: 198 | +/-: 16

Winner:

Logan Couture, San Jose Sharks -- The Sharks have one of the best (and definitely the most expensive) lines in hockey in Joe Thornton, Dany Heatley and Patrick Marleau, but none of them are the team's leading goal-scorer and maybe the biggest reason why the Sharks are just as dangerous as they've been in previous seasons. That player is Couture, who entered the weekend with 25 goals while playing mostly on the team's second line. He also has 8 game-winning goals and leads the Sharks with a plus-16 rating. Couture also has been on the ice for fewer goals per 60 minutes played than any player on the team save for Jamal Mayers.

Runners-up

Jeff Skinner, Carolina Hurricanes -- Around this time a year ago Skinner wasn't even assured to be a first-round pick in the 2010 Entry Draft. Now Skinner is probably the most well-known rookie in the League after all the publicity he received at the All-Star Game -- and because he leads all first-year players in points with 46. He has proven to be a steal for Carolina to this point in his young career as the No. 7 pick in June, and he could join Eric Staal and Cam Ward as franchise building blocks in Raleigh.

Michael Grabner, New York Islanders -- Grabner and Edmonton's Taylor Hall basically are Nos. 3 and 3A on this list. The Islanders' rookie gets the nod because his 25 goals are more impressive considering his lack of power-play time and lack of time with John Tavares, the Isles' one above-average center. Grabner is ninth in the League (and tops among rookies) in goals scored per 60 minutes.

He may lack in assists, and Hall's name recognition could end up being the difference in who goes to Las Vegas when the final votes are tallied, but Grabner has been a delightful surprise for the Islanders -- and less so for the two organizations that gave up on him (Vancouver and Florida).

[TheBoxBreaker]

Taylor Hall? Magnus Pääjärvi? Jordan Eberle?

[edthesandwich]

Taylor Hall? Magnus Pääjärvi? Jordan Eberle?

You can't hand out the Calder based on reputation or hype. To suggest Hall or Eberle should be candidates demeans the performance of Couture, Skinner, Grabner and Crawford, all of whom have been superior players this season.

As for who should win ... man, this is a tough one right now. I have to think that whoever plays better over the final seven weeks is going to win the award, because it looks too close to call right now.

[DeanCrandall]

You can give it to Logan I understand, but to better place Grabner 2nd, if we want to look at stats all day, give Grabner the extra 2-3 minutes per game everyone else has, and place those minutes on the PP like the others ... you then have a new leading NHL rookie scorer.

Here's the diff for Logan and Grabner compared to the pack, look at plus minus, Logan +17 and Grabner + 11, that's right plus 11 on Long Island, many on the team are -15 or worse. But again Logan is your man as he leads the sharks in plus minus, impressive.

Don't get caught up the names Skinner and Hall, Grabner is the real deal for your # 2 rookie. Logan wins almost every discussion tho.

[howethegreat]

where's crawford?

[Wickabee]

I wouldn't put Hall up there, but Skinner definitely deserves the nod. My list is the same as theirs, but Bobrovski deserves a mention also.

[gatesnapper]

Brad Marchand deserves some recognition, but this is likely between Logan Cotoure and Jeff Skinner.