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NHL 2014-15 Calder Trophy: Drouin a shoo-in?

By Aryssah Stankevitsch

Sep 24, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning forward Jonathan Drouin (27) handles the puck against the Nashville Predators during the first period at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators beat the Lightning 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning forward Jonathan Drouin (27) handles the puck against the Nashville Predators during the first period at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators beat the Lightning 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports /
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Who are the favorites to win the NHL‘s Calder Trophy?

Calder Trophy winners have gone on to have some impressive careers. Post lockout, Alex Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin, Patrick Kane, Steve Mason, Tyler Myers, Jeff Skinner, Gabe Landeskog, Jonathan Huberdeau and Nate MacKinnon have gone on to win other awards and flourish in the NHL – well, maybe except for Mason and Myers. To qualify, players must have played their first pro season of 25+ games, and exceed tremendous expectations as (likely) high draft picks. Here are my picks for 2015:

Tampa Bay Lightning – LW – Jonathan Drouin

Sep 24, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning forward Jonathan Drouin (27) handles the puck against the Nashville Predators during the first period at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators beat the Lightning 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning forward Jonathan Drouin (27) handles the puck against the Nashville Predators during the first period at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators beat the Lightning 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports /

Though his thumb injury has prolonged his NHL debut, he’s expected to play with Steven Stamkos at his side. He’ll learn a lot from Stammer, another first rounder, and Drouin’s assists will likely climb from being on the captain’s line. Drouin was the third overall pick in 2013, and has gained about 15 pounds of muscle since draft day. The strong stickhandler finished with 108 points in only 46 games last year with the Halifax Mooseheads.

Washington Capitals – C – Evgeny Kuznetsov

Kuznetsov will eventually be the Caps’ number one centre – a nice one, two Russian punch along Ovi. He had a little taste of the big leagues last season with three goals and six assists in 17 games; he also had 21 points in 31 games in the KHL. Head coach Barry Trotz has called him a tremendously smart player, and may be tested on the powerplay this season. He has one assist already. However the 2010 26th pick is only 170 pounds.

Chicago Blackhawks – C – Teuvo Teravainen

If you thought Kuznetsov was skinny, Teravainen is five to ten pounds lighter. The 18th overall pick in 2012 is very speedy with soft hands – a dangerous combination. He split last season in the AHL and in Finland (44 points in 49 games). He will begin this season in Rockford, after playing three games for the Hawks last year (and managing four shots). If he was in another city – say Edmonton or Buffalo – he may be seeing more ice time. The Hawks have the luxury of leading him along slowly and carefully, especially in the North American style of hockey. This will eventually pay off, letting him mature and strengthen for right time to see regular NHL minutes.

Anaheim Ducks – G – John Gibson

Sep 25, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson (36) makes a save in the second period of the game against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson (36) makes a save in the second period of the game against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

He’s the lowest draft pick on the list, but has had the most impressive few games. The 39th overall pick from 2011 had three wins last year, with a 1.33 GAA and .954 save percentage. He even recorded a shutout in his NHL debut. Prior to that, he had a decent record with Norfolk in the AHL with a 21-17-4 season. Gibson and Frederik Anderson will battle for number one this year; but the Ducks have a lot of hope for this very mature goalie who can handle high pressure situations.

Florida Panthers – D – Aaron Ekblad

He was most definitely the most ready for the NHL in comparison to his peers at the 2014 Draft – he’s 6’4 and 216 pounds. Not to mention he had 53 points in 58 games last year for Barrie in the OHL – as a defenseman. Head Coach Gerard Gallant said his first NHL game was excellent, and he should continue to grow playing on the top defensive pairing with Brian Campbell. Ekblad also has the first assist to his NHL rookie year – on a goal to 2013’s Calder Winner, Jonathan Huberdeau.

Buffalo Sabres – C – Sam Reinhart

Number two to Ekblad at the 2014 Draft, Reinhart had 105 points in 60 games last year with Kootenay. He’s expected to play with Chris Stewart or Cody Hodgson for most of the season, some of the team’s best snipers. So far, he’s said to have looked “overwhelmed” in the big leagues; he is significantly smaller. He can gain some help from the experience of his father and brothers, who’ve also made it to the NHL.

Others were close to being featured, but injuries took over: Anthony Mantha is out for two months with a broken tibia, Sam Bennet is out until February. Keep an eye for Filip Forsberg in Nashville, and Reinhart’s brother Griffin in Long Island. One of the many kids in Edmonton, Leon Draisaitl should stand out, as should Johnny Hockey to the south in Calgary, Johnny Gaudreau.

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