Calder Trophy: Patrik Laine Has A Few Combatants For the Calder Trophy This Year, But When All is Said and Done, He May Just Win It!
With Patrik Laine and Auston Matthews battling for the most goals and points. Mitch Marner and Zach Werenski nose to nose right now for most assists among rookies. Plus William Nylander and Matthew Tkachuk added into the mix. The Calder trophy is going to be a tough one to decide this year. The winner has to be Patrik Laine, though. Not has to. It is going to be Patrik Laine. Most impactful to his team, maybe Auston Matthews. Pure dominance, goal scoring ability, size, and strength plus speed. Patrik Laine.
Laine is having an unbelievable rookie year. With 60 points, 33 goals and 27 assists. Laine is making his presence in the league well known. And proving as to why he will be a dominant player for years to come. Laine is on pace for 40 plus goals this season which will put his name on a list of some amazing players, like Sidney Crosby, Steve Yzerman, and Peter Stastny. Laine has the 22nd most games played(64) among rookies, but still has the most goals and points. Second most game-winning goals among rookies, with 5. Plus out of Laine's 60 points, only 13 of them come on the powerplay.
Feb 21, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Winnipeg Jets right wing Patrik Laine (29) warms up before playing against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Over the past five seasons, the only player to have numbers compared to Laine is last years Calder trophy winner Artem Panarin. Don't forget Panarin was paired with the Art Ross winner last year as well. Laine is exceeding all rookie numbers in the past few seasons among all categories. Goals, assists, and points. Look here. 2014-2015 Aaron Ekblad had 39 points, 12 goals, and 27 assists. 2013-2014 Nathan Mackinnon had 63 points, 24 goals, and 39 assists. 2012-2013 Jonathan Huberdeau had 14 goals, 17 assists. 2011-2012 Gabriel Landeskog had 22 goals and 33 assists. Laine suppresses all those past Calder winners numbers by a great amount, with games to play this year as well.
To add even more fuel to the fire the longest Laine has gone without a point this season was four games. Was named Rookie of the Month in February with eight goals and 15 points. Meanwhile, the only other rookie to have 15 points in a month was Marner, which Laine has 16 more goals and 4 more points than Marner thus far. Oh and Laine is 6th among all NHL players with 33 goals, 7 behind the leader Sidney Crosby.
The evidence is there Patrik Laine deserves the Calder trophy. Playing out of Winnipeg a team that is not the greatest, although he may be accompanied by some "good" players. Laine is excelling and proving his dominance in the league. He is one of the best goal scorers in the league come a few years, who knows maybe even next year. He is going to win the Calder.
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