[ad_1]
New year, new Calder Trophy Tracker. The picture becomes clearer when the calendar turns to 2023. Matty Beniers has been a pioneer since the beginning of the season, but the gap is shrinking. The performances of other first-year stars have topped the crop.
Pyotr Kochetkov and Logan Thompson have been excellent in net, ranking among the league’s top goaltenders at times this season. Owen Power and Jake Sanderson have stepped up at the back end of their respective teams. Forwards like Cole Perfetti, Jonatan Berggren and Matias Maccelli have all put up respectable points.
Despite all of this, the Seattle Kraken’s No. 1 center still holds the top spot on the Calder Trophy Tracker.
1. Matty Beniers, C, Seattle Kraken
The leading rookie scorer in both goals and total points, Beniers has entered the NHL looking like a top-six center piece. He has given the Kraken a fast-paced offensive difference maker while continuing to play a good defensive game. Beniers uses his speed and top-notch motor to pressure opponents on both ends of the ice when in possession of the puck, hunting it down to get his team back on offense. Beniers’ 30 points lead all rookies.
2. Owen Power, D, Buffalo Sabres
The top pick in the 2021 NHL Draft just ahead of Beniers has established himself as a true pairing defenseman for the Sabres. The Sabers dominate the game when he or Rasmus Dahlin are on the ice and struggle mightily when they are not. Power’s offensive counting stats have yet to appear on the page, with 14 points in 34 games, but he’s playing over three more minutes per game than any other rookie (Sanderson) and posting shot differential and goals-percentage. Top 10 among all newcomers. Power has stepped into top pair use and performed commendably, and he enjoys himself every month.
3. Logan Thompson, G, Vegas Golden Knights
Vegas’ goaltending is a major reason the team sits atop the Pacific Division and third in the league. He’s had a massive workload, playing more minutes than all but three goaltenders in the NHL while posting a .914 save percentage and ranking fourth in wins. Thompson has had a bit of an up-and-down month, but he’s still a top-10 goaltender in almost every goaltending statistic with at least 15 games played, and he’ll need to continue to play big throughout the season as there are options after 25. -year-old Thompson is limited and thin.
4. Pyotr Kochetkov, G, Carolina Hurricanes
“Kootchie,” as the Canes fan base and media have called him, has been simply outstanding. His workload is limited in just 16 games, but the Carolina netminder has a .919 save percentage, good for seventh in the NHL among goaltenders with at least 15 games played. His three shutouts are tied for the league lead. Kochetkov looks like a legitimate NHL starter and has entered the NHL without any problems. The 23-year-old goaltender could be the difference-maker the Canes need come playoff time.
The main reason that keeps him out of the top two in Calder tracking is that the future is somewhat up in the air. With Frederik Andersen returning later this month and Antti Raanta also in the series, Kochetkov could be relegated back to the AHL, even if it’s completely unwarranted purely on merit. Kochetkov has been Carolina’s best goalie this season, but Andersen and Raanta beat out Jennings as the league’s best tandem last year. If he stays in the NHL and wins the majority of starts, he could challenge for annual Rookie of the Year honors.
5. Cole Perfetti, RW/LW, Winnipeg Jets
Currently out with a minor injury, Perfetti has been in the Jets’ top six for much of the season. The velocity issues he had coming out of the draft haven’t been as impressive as he’s adjusted to professional hockey, and last year’s AHL time certainly helped. Perfetti can use his intelligence and playmaking ability to network with the Jets’ top players. Depending on how long this injury keeps him out of the lineup, Perfetti is a candidate to take a big step in the second half thanks to his IQ.
6. Jake Sanderson, D, Ottawa Senators
The 2020 Fifth overall pick has stepped into Ottawa’s lineup and has immediately become their 1B for Thomas Chabot’s 1A. There are legitimate arguments that Sanderson has even surpassed Chabot. Sanderson is smart with and without the puck. He makes so many defensive plays that the rest of the Sens’ D corps simply can’t, and he has the skating ability to be a presence in transition as well. As Sanderson becomes more confident with the puck, he does more than show off his offensive prowess.
7. Stuart Skinner, G, Edmonton Oilers
Stuart Skinner has taken over Edmonton’s starting gig from off-season big-ticket signing Jack Campbell, earning himself a new contract of his own. Despite a .915 save percentage on the year, Skinner has gone under .900 in four of his last eight games, with two games at or below .800. Skinner may not be quite ready for the full workload Edmonton’s porous defense will force him to take. He’s been solid for the Oilers so far, but he’s starting to trend in the wrong direction.
8. Jack Quinn, RW, Buffalo Sabres
Quinn is a top-10 rookie scorer and has been a nice addition to the Sabres’ forward group. He has an excellent shot and underrated passing ability, which has allowed him to be a clever playmaker. He has played on the Sabres’ “Kid Line” with JJ Peterka and Dylan Cozens, giving Buffalo fans a sneak peak into the future. Quinn has some work to do to step up in the Rookie of the Year race, but he’s gotten better as the year has gone on.
9. Wyatt Johnston, C, Dallas Stars
The 19-year-old from the Stars plays the role of the third line and is excellent. His 11 goals are tied for second among rookies, while his 17 points have him tied for seventh. Johnston has shown growth and improvement every month this season. He has the skill set to move up in the lineup eventually, but right now he’s providing excellent secondary scoring for a very good Dallas team. Last year’s CHL scoring leader has flashed two-way at times, but like most teenagers in the NHL, he needs to find consistency.
10. Jonatan Berggren, RW, Detroit Red Wings
The Red Wings called Berggren in hopes of giving him a taste of NHL action while he was recovering from an injury. By all reports, he was expected to be sent back to the AHL, and while that’s certainly still a possibility as the other veterans get better, Berggren has made a big impression. He ranks seventh in rookie points per game and has shown a high level of intelligence and skill. His playmaking skills have been impressive, and he has shown that he can also put the puck in the net.
Honorable Mentions: Matias Maccelli (injured six weeks), JJ Peterka, Mason McTavish, Arber Xhekaj, Shane Pinto, Dylan Guenther, Calen Addison, Fabian Zetterlund and Kaiden Guhle.
|
Sources 2/ https://thehockeynews.com/news/calder-trophy-tracker-beniers-paces-the-pack-but-gap-closes The mention sources can contact us to remove/changing this article |
[ad_2]