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Detroit Red Wings have three candidates in NHL Calder race |
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Before you decide who the favorite is for the Calder Trophy, you have to determine who the best rookie is on the Detroit Red Wings.
It’s like asking a mother with two children to pick her favorite.
Rookie left wing Lucas Raymond and defenseman Moritz Seider rank first and second, respectively in the NHL rookie scoring race. Raymond has 17 points in 17 games, including. Seider has 12 points and is averaging more than 22 minutes per game. Anaheim’s Jamie Drysdale is the only other rookie defenseman playing more than 20 minutes per game.
Earlier this season, Raymond and Seider were on the ice together in overtime and collaborated to set-up Dylan Larkin for a game-winner against Washington.
“We had them out there because we think they give us a chance to make a real good hockey play and they did,” Detroit coach Jeff Blashill said.
Raymond is an offensive gem who is strong defensively and Seider is a defensive beast with a high offensive up-side.
Although the Detroit duo may be the top two favorites, this Calder Race is far from over. Here are 10 others in the hunt after the opening month of the season;
Goalie Jeremy Swayman, Boston Bruins: It feels like Swayman is starting to claim the No. 1 role in Boston. He’s 5-2 with a 2.16 goals-against average and .914 save percentage. If he ends up as the starter, he could end up with impressive numbers.
Defenseman Bo Byram, Colorado Avalanche: Currently in concussion protocol, but he has had an impact as a rookie. He is playing well enough that the Avalanche may move Sam Girard. When Byram left the lineup, he was playing 22-23 minutes. He has eight points in 13 games.
Center Trevor Zegras, Anaheim Ducks: He’s coming off a two-goal, three-point game against the Vancouver Canucks. He has eight points on the season. He’s a slick, skilled offensive catalyst who will eventually be a top line performer.
Right wing Jonathan Dahlen, San Jose Sharks: He has six goals and eight points in 13 games playing on the Sharks the top line with Timo Meier and Logan Couture. He's a second-round draft pick. He’s 23.
Center Cole Sillinger, Columbus Blue Jackets: The son of former NHler Mike Sillinger, young Cole is a hard-charging forward with a nose for the net. He has posted eight goals in 13 games and seems to be growing in confidence.
Defenseman Jamie Drysdale, Anaheim Ducks: He’s a Scott Niedermayer style defenseman. The smooth skater has seven points in 16 games. Playing for the Ducks, his plus-minus could end up pretty ugly.
Center Dawson Mercer, New Jersey Devils: The 2020 first-round pick has been impressive with 11 points in his first 14 NHL games. The Devils are going to give him a chance to show what he can do.
Goalie Alex Nedeljkovic, Detroit Red Wings: He was a finalist last season, but still qualifies this season. He has played excellent hockey for the Red Wings. He boasts a .914 save percentage and a 2.78 goals-against average. Nedeljkovic is also one of the league’s better puck-handling goalies.
Goalie Spencer Knight, Florida Panthers: The 20-year-old American is 4-2-1, but his numbers are unimpressive. He has a 3.27 goals-against average and .887 save percentage. It’s a lot to ask a 20-year-old to play regularly in the NHL. This is a talented athlete. Don’t rule him out.
Center Anton Lundell, Florida Panthers: He’s a skilled player who will improve as the season wears on. Already, he has seven points in 11 games.
Blogger •HHOF Writer's column on the NHL • 
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