Fansided

2016 NHL Awards watch: Karlsson, Holtby, Kane favorites

By Dave Stevenson

Oct 8, 2015; Buffalo, NY, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) during the game against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2015; Buffalo, NY, USA; Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) during the game against the Buffalo Sabres at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 20, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Artemi Panarin (72) skates during the warmup period against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Artemi Panarin (72) skates during the warmup period against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /

Calder Trophy

The Calder Trophy is awarded each NHL season to the league’s best rookie. Last year saw an unprecedented number of impressive performances from rookies with Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad emerging from a field of impressive candidates. The race won’t be quite that close this season, but it’s still going to be a lot of fun to see who emerges from this year’s crop of rookies. Connor McDavid was looking like he could run away with it, but his broken clavicle opened the door for everyone else.

  1. Artemi Panarin – Chicago Blackhawks: Panarin has the strongest argument for the Calder at this point. He leads all rookies in points (34) by seven. He paces all rookies with 23 assists and is tied for second in goals with 11. The Blackhawks have put a ton of faith in the youngster by putting him on Patrick Kane’s line and the young Russian has rewarded them for it.
  2. Max Domi – Arizona Coyotes: The Arizona Coyotes finally decided to take the training wheels off their prized 2013 first-round pick. He’s been asked to do a lot from day one and he has been up to the task. Rookie forwards in the NHL are typically sheltered and aren’t asked to perform too many responsibilities as they adjust to the league. Domi has been the exception to that rule with 27 points (second among rookies) and 10 goals (tied for fourth). He has shown impressive maturity for a rookie.
  3. Dylan Larkin – Detroit Red Wings: The Detroit Red Wings have seen a recent youth movement with guys like Gustav Nyquist and Tomas Tatar emerging as solid NHL players. The most impressive member of that youth movement has been Larkin. Larkin’s numbers are a tad bit skewed since he has been sheltered with offensive zone starts this season. Even taking his sheltered role into consideration, his 13 goals (best among rookies) and 25 points (third among rookies) are quite impressive.

Honorable mentions: Jack Eichel (Buffalo Sabres), Shayne Gostisbehere (Philadelphia Flyers), Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets)

Next: Selke Trophy

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