Eichel and Larkin have done roughly the same - Eichel with less supporting cast, but still about the same.

The top three are
1) Panarin
2) Ghost
3) McDavid


Give it to Ghost. Panarin is great but has been handed those points by Kane and 5 years of experience. McDavid should win in any equal competition, but playing barely half a season doesn't cut it IMO.

Leafs celebrate 50 years without the cup with a lottery win! Would make a nice headline.

I don't think it's a coincidence that Patty Kane's production has gone way up playing with Panarin! The kids a phenomenal talent, like McDavid, he (Panarin) should win it.
- LeftCoaster

He isn't a kid, he is a man.

I laugh, and laugh, and laugh at everyone that thinks that Panarin is "just a benefactor" of playing with Kane.

Look all the first and second-line players that Kane has played with since entering the league 9 years ago. For as good of a player as Kane has been all these years, there's a reason he's breaking out in his prime now.

Panarin led his team in scoring last season in the KHL (more than Kovy), and there's a reason he is now a borderline top-ten overall scorer in the league. He is the single best offensive talent that Kane has ever played with, and has greatly enhanced his game.

Regardless of how many years of experience had overseas, he was getting acclimated to the NHL, the culture, the new continent which can be just as difficult for a 24-year-old as an 18-19 year old.

He's deserving of the Calder, end of story. Unfortunately, McDavid playing half a season shouldn't warrant him serious consideration, regardless of how impressive his numbers are.

don't think they will be there as long but a guy can hope right?
- martox

I'm indifferent, just my thoughts.

He isn't a kid, he is a man.
- Mentalorgasm5

He's 24, he's a kid/young man. No different than the others.

While I agree McDavid is the best rookie and is a generational talent, he did miss games because of injury and that's just the reality of it. Changing precedent so McDavid can win the reward would be wrong. If McDavid ends up close to the lead in points (something like within 10 points), then by all means he should win. But if not, then as unfortunate as it would be for him, the missed games and consequent lower points total should take him out of consideration.

There really is no question McDavid is the best rookie, not sure how this is even a discusion. Solid two way player being keyed on by the opponents best in his rookie year and has the best ppg by a fair bit.

He should win it hands down.

Injuries should have no bearing on an award like this. At least if a player managers to play the amount of games required to be considered a rookie.

RNH had this award stolen from him imo because of the injury excuse. Its rediculous. Rnh deeked Lidstrom out of his pants like I never seen and sniped past Lunquist like he was nothing, had an amazing rookie year and had the best ppg by a country mile. Tied for rookie scoring in significantly less games. But because he got injured he was somehow worse for it?

I really hope the award isnt given to a forty year old or a PP specialist just cause McDavid got injured.

While I agree McDavid is the best rookie and is a generational talent, he did miss games because of injury and that's just the reality of it. Changing precedent so McDavid can win the reward would be wrong. If McDavid ends up close to the lead in points (something like within 10 points), then by all means he should win. But if not, then as unfortunate as it would be for him, the missed games and consequent lower points total should take him out of consideration.
- EbonyRaptor

There is no precedent. The most points is not who wins the award. If thats the case Yakupov should have won it his rookie year. The fact is, if mcdavid was 24 yrs old he would easily be the best player in the league let alone the top rookie. There needs to be some consideration for how old panarin is even though he is an elite player. As much as I think Mcdavid is by far the best player of the rookies, I think Ghost has had the toughest mountain to climb to get to where he is as a defenceman.

And his 2nd contract, he'll be a 7million dollar man. Which means, they'll be a few changes coming very soon with players & contracts in Edmonton.

People talk about these awards like they matter...

meh, hes the best rookie by a mile and everybody knows it. not winning an award doesn't change that.

plus, maybe theres something to be said about playing a full season.

while panarin shouldn't be penalized for playing with good players, maybe there should be something said about his age and experience in other pro leagues. 5 or 6 years on most of these guys is abit silly.

He's 24, he's a kid/young man. No different than the others.
- LeftCoaster

Mmm yes there is, he is a man, and he is getting compared to teenagers.

People talk about these awards like they matter...
- archromat

People talk about these awards like they matter...
- archromat

I think Oilers want to be a bit closer to the PO before McDavid is to old or hurt

meh, hes the best rookie by a mile and everybody knows it. not winning an award doesn't change that.

plus, maybe theres something to be said about playing a full season.

while panarin shouldn't be penalized for playing with good players, maybe there should be something said about his age and experience in other pro leagues. 5 or 6 years on most of these guys is abit silly.
- HB77

I agree with this panarin isn't a true rookie because of his khl experience. Austin Matthews I would count as a rookie because of his age next year

Unless Panarin fades then he will win....but clearly the best Rookie is McDavid....oh and it's not close. Panarin, Domi, Ghost and Larkin have all been great and all have bright futures but McDavid is a franchise type that come along once a decade if we are lucky.
Injuries have to be a consideration....simply because it's tougher to do it over 82 games....besides Mcdavid will win an MVP ...I can't say that about anyone else on that list.

Unless Panarin fades then he will win....but clearly the best Rookie is McDavid....oh and it's not close. Panarin, Domi, Ghost and Larkin have all been great and all have bright futures but McDavid is a franchise type that come along once a decade if we are lucky.
Injuries have to be a consideration....simply because it's tougher to do it over 82 games....besides Mcdavid will win an MVP ...I can't say that about anyone else on that list.
- landros 2

Nope will go to the 7 year KHL vet. Connor deserves it if he keeps it up. This year's Calder race should be between my boy jack, McD, Larkin, Domi or Gost...instead will be decided by how many times my old teamate PKane chooses to pass instead of doing it by his damn self. I don't want to discredit Panarin as it is obvious he is a good player in his own right, but Imagine if Connor, Jack, Max or Dylan played with the MVP of the league and were half a dozen years older...methinks they'd all win given that chance.

Ek, please keep in mind that Ghost is a D-man... and with that understand that D-men are expected to score a lesser amount of Points... Plus the way that Ghost has made his Team better by his presence has at times been remarkable. As a D-man, while Ghost makes his share of Rookie mistakes at the BlueLine, he has often been able to correct them by himself with his speed and savvy.

I understand the McDavid is the sexy option and is desired as the NHL poster boy... but IMO Ghost should have been the NHL Rookie of the Month for February... and be seriously considered for he Calder.

One needs to play at least close to a full season to be considered for an award.Those that can stay healthy deserve credit for that. Putting up points in bunches is easier when your legs are fresher. He's now scoring against other players who've been playing, often times every other day, while he's been sitting out injured. Not getting considered because of injury isn't a "punishment" for that player, it's extra points for those who've been battling through games all year long. Am I saying he doesn't have the skill to maintain it for a full season, absolutely not. I'm just saying we need to see it.

Nope will go to the 7 year KHL vet. Connor deserves it if he keeps it up. This year's Calder race should be between my boy jack, McD, Larkin, Domi or Gost...instead will be decided by how many times my old teamate PKane chooses to pass instead of doing it by his damn self. I don't want to discredit Panarin as it is obvious he is a good player in his own right, but Imagine if Connor, Jack, Max or Dylan played with the MVP of the league and were half a dozen years older...methinks they'd all win given that chance.
- RhinoFan

At the same time the younger ones aren't playing thousands of miles from their homeland and barely able to speak English. So, while not the same, Panarin has challenges the others can't even fathom, much less playing great hockey.

"the latest from Eklund: how great connor mcdavid is" yes... we know.... a rookie is a rookie, Panarin/ghost deserve it. the top 3 are always an arguement tho, so its not a huge deal who gets it.

One needs to play at least close to a full season to be considered for an award.Those that can stay healthy deserve credit for that. Putting up points in bunches is easier when your legs are fresher. He's now scoring against other players who've been playing, often times every other day, while he's been sitting out injured. Not getting considered because of injury isn't a "punishment" for that player, it's extra points for those who've been battling through games all year long. Am I saying he doesn't have the skill to maintain it for a full season, absolutely not. I'm just saying we need to see it.
- GoHawks1

something to be said for minutes too, McDavid gets a boatload because Edmonton isnt very deep, as opposed tho Philly/Det/Chi

At the same time the younger ones aren't playing thousands of miles from their homeland and barely able to speak English. So, while not the same, Panarin has challenges the others can't even fathom, much less playing great hockey.
- GoHawks1

If McDavid played 7 years in the NHL then went to the dynasty type equivalent team in Russia methinks he wouldn't miss much...I doubt his production would slip that much is what I guess I mean. So yes, language barriers should count, but age should count for much more in my opinion. Again, he's a great hockey player but not a Calder Trophy winner to me and I think he will get it hands down unless McD goes super nova (which is possible).