December NHL Calder Trophy replace: Logan Thompson, Matty Beniers spotlight rookie crop

With each crew now over the 20-game hump, we’re basically 1 / 4 of the way in which into the 2022-23 NHL marketing campaign.

That’s a stable pattern measurement, and one which has given us a transparent indication of who would be the prime fighters for the Calder Trophy race. It’s secure to say there are two practical contenders proper now with a constant sufficient season to associate with it – Vegas’ Logan Thompson and Seattle’s Matty Beniers. But it’s removed from over.

Perhaps the highest identify early within the Calder race was Shane Pinto, the NHL’s prime rookie in October. Pinto had a depressing November, like the remainder of the Ottawa Senators, recording simply 4 factors in 14 video games final month. With Josh Norris out of the lineup, Pinto had an opportunity to grab the chance and construct upon an unbelievable begin that noticed him heading towards a possible 60-point marketing campaign. Instead, issues have mellowed out, and the Sens, as an entire, are simply in search of one thing to maneuver the needle.

So, with that, right here’s a take a look at 10 of the highest Calder Trophy candidates heading into November:

Logan Thompson, G (Vegas Golden Knights)

It’s more difficult for a goaltender to win the Calder given they play fewer video games than the remainder of the rookie crop. But not solely is Thompson one of many favorites to complete as prime rookie, however he’s additionally a number one Vezina candidate, too. He has a 12-4-0 file with two shutouts, a .934 save proportion at 5-on-5 and an excellent energy targets saved above common of 6.88. He’s been spectacular for Vegas this 12 months, stealing a couple of video games whereas taking the No. 1 spot by the horns. Given how ugly Vegas’ goaltending state of affairs regarded heading into the season, Thompson has exceeded all expectations and has saved the crew close to the highest of the standings all 12 months lengthy.

Matty Beniers, C (Seattle Kraken)

Many had Beniers pegged as the favourite to win the Calder Trophy and that doesn’t seem like altering anytime quickly. He leads all rookies with 20 targets in 22 video games, good for third in crew scoring behind veterans Andre Burakovsky and Jordan Eberle and has 4 multi-point efforts over the previous 5 video games. But it hasn’t been fully easy crusing – earlier than this current sizzling run, the 20-year-old had a six-game pointless streak, even whereas the Kraken had been thriving. He’s been streaky, however when Beniers is on the prime of his recreation, he’s simply a standout for the second-year membership

Cole Perfetti, LW (Winnipeg Jets)

Rookie seasons might be filled with streaks, which may actually shake up the rookie-scoring race. That may very well be the case with Perfetti, who’s been one of many hottest rookies as of late with seven factors in his previous 5 video games. The hope was for Perfetti to present the Jets one other harmful scoring ahead and he’s slot in completely on the highest line with Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele. He’s an awesome setup man, and it seems just like the lacking hyperlink the Jets wanted up entrance for a couple of years now. Expectations had been all the time excessive for the 20-year-old Whitby native, and after lacking most of final 12 months with an damage, Perfetti is lastly on observe with 14 factors in 21 video games – and getting extra comfy each week.

Owen Power, D (Buffalo Sabres)

Power’s rookie season hasn’t been as flashy as a few of the others on this record, however he’s averaging 23:43 an evening to guide all rookies by not less than three minutes. He hasn’t scored but, however he’s as much as 10 assists and has shaped a stable defensive pairing with Henri Jokiharju. The Sabres began robust however has fizzled out of the playoff race which was largely to be anticipated. Still, the 2021 No. 1 choose has regarded good in Buffalo this season, and the Sabres blueline seems to be in fine condition for the longer term.

JJ Peterka, LW (Buffalo Sabres)

It was simple to low cost Peterka within the pre-season Calder Trophy chat due to his far more celebrated teammate. But Peterka has had a stable rookie marketing campaign, recording 12 factors in his first 23 video games. Ten of these have come at even energy, sitting third behind Beniers and Perfetti early within the going. He’s averaging a stable 2.04 points-per-60 this season in 12:48 of ice time, which is across the mid-tier stage for rookie forwards. Peterka is on tempo for round 45 factors this season, which might be a pleasant output from the 20-year-old.

Stuart Skinner, G (Edmonton Oilers)

In an ideal world, Jack Campbell would have been the clear No. 1 and Skinner would play each few video games or so. Instead, Skinner has been the significantly better goalie with a 6-5-0 file and a .914 save proportion, an enormous step up from Campbell’s .875 save proportion in 12 video games. Skinner confirmed some promising indicators a 12 months in the past in spot obligation and whereas he hasn’t fully stolen the chance away, he’s doing a fantastic job given how a lot the Oilers have struggled this season.

Jake Sanderson, D (Ottawa Senators)

It hasn’t been a straightforward season for the Ottawa Senators, who many, together with myself, anticipated larger outcomes from this season. Sanderson, nevertheless, has executed a wonderful job taking part in heavy minutes on a weak Ottawa blueline that has needed to take care of accidents to Thomas Chabot and Artem Zub. Sanderson, 20, missed vital time final 12 months whereas on the University of North Dakota, so expectations had been tempered for his first NHL marketing campaign. But given how few positives there have been in Ottawa this 12 months, it’s good to see Sanderson succeeding – and he’s simply getting began.

Matias Maccelli, LW (Arizona Coyotes)

Maccelli possible wouldn’t get the identical ice time on a extra aggressive crew, however that doesn’t actually matter. The 22-year-old rookie has 13 factors in 18 video games, together with three multi-point efforts. He has only one aim, which, as a famous playmaker, is to be anticipated. He was extra of a shooter in junior, however he’s discovered his worth as a setup man in Arizona’s prime six. The Coyotes are within the Connor Bedard race, however Maccelli’s since getting taken within the fourth spherical in 2019 is a motive for Coyotes followers to rejoice.

Kent Johnson, LW (Columbus Blue Jackets)

The Blue Jackets have one of the crucial thrilling prospect cores, and Johnson has lastly graduated to full-time NHLer standing. The 2022 World Junior Championship hero has 11 factors in 18 video games whereas seeing his ice time fluctuate from recreation to recreation. His 2.18 points-per-60 is nice for fourth amongst rookies with not less than 15 video games performed, giving the Blue Jackets some much-needed scoring punch. He’s nonetheless solely taking part in on the third line proper now, however Johnson has been an apparent vibrant spot this season.

Fabian Zetterlund, RW (New Jersey Devils)

What a wonderful addition Zetterlund has been to the Devils. The 5-foot-11, 220-pound beast has 12 factors in 18 video games and was an enormous a part of New Jersey’s unbelievable run this previous month. Zetterlund was drafted within the third spherical in 2017 however took some time to ascertain himself in New Jersey’s system, but it surely’s been easy crusing ever since he cracked the crew’s prime six. Keep on conserving on, Medium-Sized Z.