Today the NHL announced the three finalists for the Calder Trophy, and the arguments about who will be named rookie of the year will now intensify:
Your Calder Nominees: Laine (WIN), Matthews (TOR), Werenski (CLB).
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) April 20, 2017
Auston Matthews
Auston Matthews is coming off a multiple record breaking rookie season with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The team rookie records that Auston Matthews now holds are:
Goals by a rookie - 40
Points by a rookie - 69
Even Strength Goals by a rookie - 32
Game Winning Goals by a rookie - 8
Shots by a rookie - 279
Auston Matthews led the Toronto Maple Leafs in goals and points this season, and he hasn’t even turned 20 years old yet. With the Maple Leafs tied 2-2 with Washington in their first round playoff series, Matthews has a chance to go after some of the rookie playoff records as well. (Steve Thomas holds the records at 6 goals, 8 assists, for 14 points in 1986)
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Who is really taking over NHL hockey?
So Who Wins The Calder Trophy?
Matthews has taken over the Toronto Maple Leafs from day one, and around him the team has changed completely from last season. Almost every player has had one of the best seasons of their careers, and no rookie has had as big an impact on their team as Auston Matthews on the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Don’t forget his debut vs the Ottawa Senators, where he made Erik Karlsson look like Brett Lebda:
There were literally millions of other rookies on the Maple Leafs roster this season, but Matthews was the only one picked by the secret cabal who pick the Calder Trophy nominees. They also picked a couple other guys, but come on, this is Matthews award to lose.
Good luck to Matthews and the others., and I can’t wait to see Jets* fans reactions to Laine coming in second to him again.
Televised live in the United States on NBCSN and in Canada on Sportsnet at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT, the 2017 NHL Awards™ will showcase hockey and Hollywood's biggest stars with the excitement and energy that only Las Vegas can provide. As part of the program, the Golden Knights' 30 selections in the NHL Expansion Draft™ will be revealed, providing the home fans - and national viewing audience - the opportunity to learn the initial composition of the team's roster. The show will highlight team Majority Owner Bill Foley, General Manager George McPhee, Head Coach Gerard Gallant, as well as select players chosen by the Golden Knights, who begin NHL play in 2017-18.
