Early Choice for the Calder Trophy

Again, its a bit early but that doesn't really matter...today I'm looking at the stacked rookie class.  I will give my pick for the Calder trophy finalists and the rookie of the year. 

My first of three finalists is the number 1, Nathan Mackinnon.  You can't go wrong having this guy in your  top three rookies.  Mackinnon is the can't miss product out of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia; yes the same Cole Harbour that is the hometown of Sidney Crosby.  Last year in 44 games with the QMJHL's Halifax Mooseheads he had 75 points.  You can make the argument that he did play with number 3 overall pick Johnathan Drouin who helped his production...he'll be playing with even better players in Gabriel Landeskog and possibly Matt Duchene.  Mackinnon will have a great season (injury-free) and could possibly win the Calder trophy. 

Next is Mackinnon's teammate in Halifax Johnathan Drouin.  Drouin had an even better season than Mackinnon, in 49 games Drouin had 105 points with 41 goals and 64 assists.  If Drouin plays on the top line in Tampa Bay it will be interesting to see if he takes the "playmaker" role and focuses on dishing the puck to the 2010 and 2012 Rocket Richard trophy winner Steven Stamkos or he will become the secondary scorer on the first line and have Martin St. Louis's goal scoring drop and Drouin will take over his scoring.  Drouin will have a better season than Mackinnon...he could be your Calder trophy winner. 

Pictured (L to R): Johnathan Drouin TBL, Nathan Mackinnon COL, Alexander Barkov FLA


The dark horse of this trophy race is the tenth overall pick,  Valeri Nichushkin.  Nichushkin has been playing in the KHL the past two years and has been showing some great things.  He is a very similar player to Jaromir Jagr, he uses his 6" 200 pound frame to keep opposing defenders off the puck.  He didn't have the greatest stats last year with just 4 goals in 18 games played for Traktor Chelyabinsk of the Kontinental Hockey League.   Nichushkin has 1st line potential and I would not be surprised if we see him play on a line with Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin next season.  Nichushkin is definetly the dark horse....but he is down but certainly not out.

Now what you've all been waiting for, my Calder Trophy selection is....Johnathan Drouin! Drouin has all  the skill to be the rookie of the year AND he has two stellar teammates in Stamkos and St. Louis.  Drouin should have a great season and will have a better season than Nathan Mackinnon.   If you have any questions make sure to comment with your question.  Thanks for reading...make sure to come back to the SBC Hive and read some more.  This blog has ended...go in peace!