Here are my top 10 Calder Trophy candidates for this season…
1. Nikita Filatov, CBJ
The Jackets’ top pick from a year ago is undoubtedly NHL-ready. He notched a hat trick in one of his eight games last year, and performed well in the AHL. Filatov brings a boatload of skill to the table; something Columbus doesn’t have a lot of after Rick Nash. The 19-year old Russian may be too good to keep off the roster this season.
2. Cody Hodgson, VAN
Hodgson has an incredible hockey sense for a rookie pivot. He’s shaken off a minor back injury from the off-season, and could potentially slide in as the team’s #2 center at some point this year. The #10 overall pick from last year has nothing else to prove in the OHL, and isn’t eligible for the AHL because of his age. Canucks fans are giddy for Hodgson’s rookie campaign.
3. Colin Wilson, NSH
Like Hodgson, Wilson already plays well beyond his age. The BU stud has raised eyebrows during the pre-season; so much that it’ll be hard for Barry Trotz & company to not include him on the opening night roster. He’s drawn comparisons to Jonathan Toews, which doesn’t seem to be too much of an exaggeration. Wilson is definitely a candidate for the Calder.
4. Semyon Varlamov, WSH
‘Varly’ will have to be an impact rookie for the Capitals. With Jose Theodore penciled in as the starter, Bruce Boudreau can’t rely on him to take on the full reins. Caps fans are hopeful that Varlamov can play like he did against the Rangers in the playoffs last spring. He’ll get plenty of chances to take over for Theodore this season.
5. James van Riemsdyk, PHI
Van Riemsdyk, who was the #2 pick behind Patrick Kane in 2007, will probably start the season in the AHL. But once he gets accustomed to NHL-style hockey and starts dominating, GM Paul Holmgren won’t have a choice but to call him up (like Giroux last year). The power forward out of the University of New Hampshire could be a big impact for the Flyers down the stretch.
6. Zach Boychuk, CAR
The #14 overall selection from last summer is going to be a star in Raleigh… it’s just a matter of when. He has torn up the WHL the last four seasons, and will likely start the year in Albany. But the skilled and speedy winger will be a nice mid-season addition to a team that doesn’t have a lot of talent on the wings up front.
7. John Tavares, NYI
JT will surely experience growing pains under the microscope on Long Island. The phenom rookie will start the year with virtually no talent around him. Like Stamkos from a year ago, things will get worse for Tavares before they get better.
8. Tuukka Rask, BOS
Rask has played in many leagues already in his young career, performing well at every level. The NHL is his next test, and will be Tim Thomas’ backup. Rask could emerge as one of the best backups in the league. I have a feeling he could steal some starts from last year’s Vezina recipient.
9. Matt Duchene, COL
The new era of Avalanche hockey starts this year after Sakic’s retirement. Duchene is a huge part of their rebuilding phase, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him play regularly this year… especially after they fall out of the playoff picture quickly.
10. Artem Anisimov, NYR
Like Varlamov, New York’s Anisimov needs to have an impact. The skilled center starts the season as the 3rd-line center on the Rangers’ depth chart, but a lack of skill up front could land Anisimov on the top two lines by season’s end.
Others to watch:
Mikael Backlund, CGY
Jordan Eberle, EDM
Matt Gilroy, NYR
Thomas Hickey, LA
Max Pacioretty, MTL
1. Nikita Filatov, CBJ
The Jackets’ top pick from a year ago is undoubtedly NHL-ready. He notched a hat trick in one of his eight games last year, and performed well in the AHL. Filatov brings a boatload of skill to the table; something Columbus doesn’t have a lot of after Rick Nash. The 19-year old Russian may be too good to keep off the roster this season.
2. Cody Hodgson, VAN
Hodgson has an incredible hockey sense for a rookie pivot. He’s shaken off a minor back injury from the off-season, and could potentially slide in as the team’s #2 center at some point this year. The #10 overall pick from last year has nothing else to prove in the OHL, and isn’t eligible for the AHL because of his age. Canucks fans are giddy for Hodgson’s rookie campaign.
3. Colin Wilson, NSH
Like Hodgson, Wilson already plays well beyond his age. The BU stud has raised eyebrows during the pre-season; so much that it’ll be hard for Barry Trotz & company to not include him on the opening night roster. He’s drawn comparisons to Jonathan Toews, which doesn’t seem to be too much of an exaggeration. Wilson is definitely a candidate for the Calder.
4. Semyon Varlamov, WSH
‘Varly’ will have to be an impact rookie for the Capitals. With Jose Theodore penciled in as the starter, Bruce Boudreau can’t rely on him to take on the full reins. Caps fans are hopeful that Varlamov can play like he did against the Rangers in the playoffs last spring. He’ll get plenty of chances to take over for Theodore this season.
5. James van Riemsdyk, PHI
Van Riemsdyk, who was the #2 pick behind Patrick Kane in 2007, will probably start the season in the AHL. But once he gets accustomed to NHL-style hockey and starts dominating, GM Paul Holmgren won’t have a choice but to call him up (like Giroux last year). The power forward out of the University of New Hampshire could be a big impact for the Flyers down the stretch.
6. Zach Boychuk, CAR
The #14 overall selection from last summer is going to be a star in Raleigh… it’s just a matter of when. He has torn up the WHL the last four seasons, and will likely start the year in Albany. But the skilled and speedy winger will be a nice mid-season addition to a team that doesn’t have a lot of talent on the wings up front.
7. John Tavares, NYI
JT will surely experience growing pains under the microscope on Long Island. The phenom rookie will start the year with virtually no talent around him. Like Stamkos from a year ago, things will get worse for Tavares before they get better.
8. Tuukka Rask, BOS
Rask has played in many leagues already in his young career, performing well at every level. The NHL is his next test, and will be Tim Thomas’ backup. Rask could emerge as one of the best backups in the league. I have a feeling he could steal some starts from last year’s Vezina recipient.
9. Matt Duchene, COL
The new era of Avalanche hockey starts this year after Sakic’s retirement. Duchene is a huge part of their rebuilding phase, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him play regularly this year… especially after they fall out of the playoff picture quickly.
10. Artem Anisimov, NYR
Like Varlamov, New York’s Anisimov needs to have an impact. The skilled center starts the season as the 3rd-line center on the Rangers’ depth chart, but a lack of skill up front could land Anisimov on the top two lines by season’s end.
Others to watch:
Mikael Backlund, CGY
Jordan Eberle, EDM
Matt Gilroy, NYR
Thomas Hickey, LA
Max Pacioretty, MTL
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