21-22 rookie class and Calder candidates

[Gliff]

Zegras plays on a team with no offense and the worst PP of all time.

If he wins the Calder it is because he is an absolute monster and carries the Ducks.

 

[Dempsey]

Is studnicka still a rookie ?

Yes I believe so.

 

[RoyalRed]

Zegras plays on a team with no offense and the worst PP of all time.

If he wins the Calder it is because he is an absolute monster and carries the Ducks.

Yeah I don't think Zegras will win it but that has absolutely nothing to do with him.

 

[Pavels Dog]

Zegras plays on a team with no offense and the worst PP of all time.

If he wins the Calder it is because he is an absolute monster and carries the Ducks.

Many good rookies will enter on bad teams. That can be a struggle but it can also lead to opportunity. Zegras+Drysdale should help that powerplay.

 

[WeThreeKings]

I'd put Mattias Norlinder under 'might make the team'

He's going to be given every opportunity as probably one of the only natural puck-movers possible to be on the Canadiens blue-line. If he makes it and gets PP1 on a unit with Caufield, Suzuki and Hoffman - he could put up some points.

No way he could win the Calder, but if we are mentioning some of the other guys, might as well make a comprehensive list.

 

[Stewie Griffin]

I'd say the favourites are Caufield, Boldy, and Knight just because they're on much better teams than some of the other guys.

From a SJ point of view, Jonathan Dahlen could grab traction if his offense translates.

 

[Holystik]

I'm cheering for Caufield to win it!
Hope he has a great and exciting year along side Suzuki!

 

[Captain97]

I’m very excited to see if Moritz plays in the NHL this year, I remember he was a huge off-the-board selection in his draft. Looks like he’s been developing quite well.

I am as well, I'm not sure if going ~5 spots higher is way off the board but I wanted him to drop to 15 so badly that year. Course Caufield dropped instead I would have been happy with either and am happy with Caufield.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Caufield already has a spot booked in the top 6 and powerplay from day 1.

 

[Captain97]

Caufield already has a spot booked in the top 6 and powerplay from day 1.

Top line, not just top 6. Expect him to get 16-18 minutes a game.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Top line, not just top 6. Expect him to get 16-18 minutes a game.

Yeah, he’s got to be the favorite

 

[LeighDx59]

Id be shocked if Moritz Seider won it, but mainly cause he plays Detroit but he has a great chance.

I expect him to be a finalist at minimum.

 

[CycloneSweep]

I don't think Edmonton has anyone unless a goalie randomly shows up

 

[Cowumbus]

My younger brother has picked the last two Calder Winners, and he says Podkolzin. So maybe him?

 

[CanadienShark]

Woah that's a stacked rookie class.

I'll vote as my 3 finalists (no order:

Zegras, Caufield, Newhook

I could name about 10 others who I wouldn't be remotely surprised if they won.

 

[Pucklington]

I don't think Edmonton has anyone unless a goalie randomly shows up

Dylan Holloway has a good shot. And don't be surprised if he ends up beside McDavid eventually.

 

[CycloneSweep]

Dylan Holloway has a good shot. And don't be surprised if he ends up beside McDavid eventually.

I would be very surprised if he is in the NHL this year and beside McDavid.

I like Holloway but he won't be a Calder finalist, doesn't have that level of ability.

 

[zar]

I don’t think he’s eligible. If he was he’d definitely be a dark horse to rack up some points as a rookie defenseman

Ah, yes, just checked it out and you're right. His 14 games last season rules him out.

He would not be eligible...

To be eligible for the award, a player cannot have played more than 25 games in any single preceding season, nor in six or more games in each of any two preceding seasons, in any major professional league.​

• played 7 games in 2018/19
• played 0 games in 2019/20
• played 14 games in 2020/21

________________________________________________________________________________

I think Caulfield will win the Calder next year, with Knight and probably Zegras as the other nominees.

 

[logan5]

Rathbone should have been mentioned (imo) in the op. He will almost certainly outscore Byram, and could easily lead all rookie D in scoring. Maybe because of his draft position, he is being overlooked here. A super talented player.

Podkolzin could be in the running, depending on how the lines are arranged. Benning said he wanted 3 scoring lines, so we could see Podz playing with a high end forward, in order to facilitate that. With the way he was deployed in the KHL and thrown around 2 other leagues the past 2 years, he really wasn't given a good opportunity to show what he can do, but in the 2021 KHL play-offs, he led SKA in scoring.

Pretty good run of rookie talent in Van - Boeser, Pettersson, Hughes, Hoglander, and now Rathbone and Podkolzin.

 

[ujju2]

He would not be eligible...

To be eligible for the award, a player cannot have played more than 25 games in any single preceding season, nor in six or more games in each of any two preceding seasons, in any major professional league.​

• played 7 games in 2018/19
• played 0 games in 2019/20
• played 14 games in 2020/21

________________________________________________________________________________

I think Caulfield will win the Calder next year, with Knight and probably Zegras as the other nominees.

Yes, I said that in my post as did @The Moose is Loose. All good though

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Caufield will win it with a 35 goal season. Season 2, 45 goals. Season 3-10, 50 goals.

He's going to be such a stud.

 

[Maplebeasts]

Robertson is good. I don't think he makes the team though in the top 6. I think Zegras runs away with the Calder and Seider finishes second.

 

[HanSolo]

Robertson is good. I don't think he makes the team though in the top 6. I think Zegras runs away with the Calder and Seider finishes second.

I struggle to see Zegras running away with it with that supporting cast and coach. I'm not counting it out but I have my doubts.

 

[Seiza]

Barely mentioned here, but Jonathan Dahlén is a major dark horse IMO. If he earns a top 6 spot on the Sharks he will definitely rack up points. A bit older and more mature than most rookies, maybe he can pull an Alfredsson?

 

[Stewie Griffin]

Barely mentioned here, but Jonathan Dahlén is a major dark horse IMO. If he earns a top 6 spot on the Sharks he will definitely rack up points. A bit older and more mature than most rookies, maybe he can pull an Alfredsson?

At this rate he's going to be given Kane's ice time in the top-6. I mentioned him earlier in the thread and agree with you completely though, the talent is there.