The Calder Race Through Three Weeks

1. Matthew Schaefer, +125: You know something is going very right when an award has a favourite this heavy, this early. Schaefer is one of the few defensemen up for the Calder who already look like complete number ones out of the gate. Even Lane Hutson and Moritz Seider needed some time to adjust to the NHL level. He’s playing 22 minutes a night, and his deployment isn’t exactly sheltered. Schaefer is playing legitimate minutes. His 7 points through 7 games have him in the NHL’s 97th percentile for offence. He’s still 18 and still improving. He’s got the Islanders looking decent through the first leg of the season and might be one of the most under-hyped first round picks in recent memory.
2. Ivan Demidov, +350: Any interesting prospect from Montreal will get pretty hyped up based on the market alone, and Demidov is no different. I’ll give him his flowers by saying he isn’t exactly getting favourable deployments. He’s starting mostly in his defensive zone, and his linemates, being Kapanen and Newhook, are fun, but it’s far from legit NHL talent to support him. Demidov’s underlying numbers aren’t great, with a 41 CF%. As much as he has started well offensively, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was much lower on some ballots than you’d think he’d be.
3. Zeev Buium, +650: Buium is someone I was really high on in both the draft and coming into this season, so it pains me to say I don’t think his early play is sustainable. His nearly 5 minutes of power play time on ice per game, combined with 5 of his 6 points coming on the power play, spell out his early success. Raw numbers aside, Buium has looked great. He’s a shifty defenceman on offence who has no problem skating downhill. Defensively, Buium has been pretty ho-hum from what I’ve seen, and that’s a compliment to a rookie defenceman. If he can continue getting huge minutes on a hot Wild power play, he might creep up on Schaefer more than people think.
4. Jimmy Snuggerud, +1400: Probably the biggest rockstar in this rookie class in my eyes. He’s already an offensive maestro, and he’s surrounded by the right talent in Thomas. His finishing is already at an elite level. There are also some legitimately solid playmaking flashes to his game. I think his aggression is underrated. He’s not a burner, but he’s fast and willing to use his body when it matters. He’s cooled off since the start of the season when writing this, but Snuggerud is someone I wouldn’t be too shy about betting on.
5. Emmitt Finnie, +2500: If the seventh-round pick is anywhere near the top of the rookie points lead, the story alone might get him some votes. Emmitt Finnie has seemingly been the perfect co-star for Dylan Larkin, who has started red hot. Tied for the rookie point lead when writing this with only one power play point, Finnie is a traditional power forward who has a feel-good story. His 7 points in 8 games, paired with 23 hits, as well as high-end defensive responsibilities, make Finnie one of the most complete rookies in the NHL this season.

Long Shots:

1. Easton Cowan, Maple Leafs +8000: Anyone else remember Michael Bunting? Playing next to Auston Matthews does things for you, and Cowan might be the next to benefit. Cowboy is possibly the gritty playmaker Toronto needs to replace Marner beside Matthews right now. Berube might not keep him in the lineup enough to get a real look, but if he’s on that top line, expect production.
2. Isaac Howard, Oilers +15000: The former Hobey Baker winner hasn’t been around McDavid or Draisaitl yet. If that changes, Howard is talented enough to rack up some points. Even if he does though, it might not be enough to get him real consideration. Who doesn’t rack up points beside McDavid?
3. Ben Kindel, Penguins +15000: A team that was supposed to be selling to prepare for the draft has started 5-2-0. Kindel has shown some real defensive responsibility early. Kindel is another guy, like all in this group, who isn’t playing with his team’s top dogs. No Malkin, no Rust, and most importantly, no Crosby will limit his production. But if Pittsburgh makes the playoffs with Kindel as their only major addition, it might be enough of a storyline to get him some looks.

Trending Upwards:

1. Emmitt Finnie, Red Wings: Finnie is red hot right now with 5 points in his last 3 games. Even with Lucas Raymond being injured and taking some time away from the top line, Finnie has continued to help Dylan Larkin be his best self. If Finnie continues to stick next to Larkin and Raymond, he can continue to rake in points alongside two of the NHL’s most underrated forwards.
2. Beckett Sennecke, Ducks: Sennecke looks great early this season on an improved Ducks team. He fits nicely into a talented, physical two-way line with McTavish and Gauthier. There’s a lot to like in Sennecke’s game, and with a young Ducks team that is only continuing to find their form, Sennecke’s stock should only be rising.
3. Sam Rinzel, Blackhawks: If he’s not on your radar early, he should be. Rinzel looks like the prototypical number one defenceman that all 32 teams would love. Rinzel is tall, blocks shots, and is taking on tough competition alongside workhorse Vlasic. His 3 points in 8 games aren’t as impressive as Schaefer’s or Buium’s, but with all of them coming at even strength, Rinzel deserves some flowers.

More to Read:

Red Wings: Comparing Sandin-Pellikka vs. Rookie Seider and Edvinsson

Finnie Fever Taking Over Detroit