Ranking the Top Candidates for the Calder Trophy in 2014-15 NHL Season

With nearly half an NHL season in the books, the list of legitimate Calder Trophy candidates is shrinking. The top horses are still doing their thing while jockeying for position at the top of the rankings, while other up-and-comers attempt to close the gap.

There are nine names in the mix at the moment, with the potential, over another half of the hockey season, for some more candidates to get into the conversation.

Click ahead to see who's in it now.

All stats via NHL.com and Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com

Honorable Mentions

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Josh Jooris, Calgary Flames: Jooris is ninth in rookie scoring with 14 points but has played fewer games (30) than the eight ahead of him. His three game-winning goals are second most among all freshmen, and he's played both wing and center for the feisty Flames.

Jonathan Drouin, Tampa Bay Lightning: The 19-year-old hasn't been consistently posting points, but he's flashed glimpses of the skill that made him the third overall pick in the 2013 NHL entry draft. There's plenty of room for an increase in numbers with his shooting percentage currently a very low 6.1.

Tanner Pearson, Los Angeles Kings: Pearson is nearly off the radar after being named the rookie of the month for October. He has three points in his last 19 games, although his plus-14 rating is still strong among freshmen and veterans alike.

6. Mike Hoffman, Ottawa Senators

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Previous Ranking: Unranked (Honorable Mention)

By the Numbers: 35 games, 12 goals, seven assists, 19 points, plus-17, 86 shots, two game-winners

Bottom Line: Hoffman is a late bloomer at 25. He leads the Senators in goal scoring and is tops in plus/minus by leaps and bounds. His shooting percentage is high at 14.0, but he had a 15.9 shooting percentage during a breakout season last year in the AHL that saw him post 30 goals in 51 games while splitting time between the NHL and the farm.

He's third among rookies in goal scoring and fourth in point production, with second-place status in plus/minus.

5. John Klingberg, Dallas Stars

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Previous Ranking: Fourth

By the Numbers: 24 games, four goals, nine assists, 13 points, plus-12, 21:28 ice time/game

Bottom Line: Klingberg's growth continues. The 22-year-old defenseman is third in ice time among all Stars players and leads the team in plus/minus. His prorated production would put him on pace for a 40-plus-point season. After a six-game point drought he's posted a goal and three assists in his past seven games—including three points in his last four outings.

4. Michael Hutchinson, Winnipeg Jets

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Previous Ranking: Unranked (Honorable Mention)

By the Numbers: 10-4-2 record, .936 save percentage, 1.88 goals-against average, one shutout

Bottom Line: Hutchinson has gone from backup goalie to splitting starts to the unofficial No. 1 backstop for the Jets, via Paul Friesen of the Winnipeg Sun. Of all NHL goaltenders with enough games to qualify so far this year, he has the top save percentage and GAA. If he had been starting all season and playing this well, he might be the favorite in the rookie race.

3. Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary Flames

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Previous Ranking: Third

By the Numbers: 39 games, 13 goals, 18 assists, 31 points, plus-11, 77 shots, 45.9 Corsi-for percentage

Bottom Line: Gaudreau was the NHL's rookie of the month for December with eight goals and 13 points in 14 games. He's probably the most dynamic and exciting rookie on the list, but his big moments—like a hat trick against the Kings in Los Angeles to help the Flames come back from a 3-0 deficit to win in overtime—haven't yet eclipsed the consistency of the two who top him.

2. Aaron Ekblad, Florida Panthers

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Previous Ranking: First

By the Numbers: 37 games, five goals, 17 assists, 22 points, plus-nine, two game-winners, 76 shots, 53.8 Corsi-for percentage

Bottom Line: Ekblad continues to impress and keeps the electric Johnny Hockey behind him in these rankings thanks to his outstanding 48-point pace, his strong possession and plus/minus numbers for a freshman defender, and the fact that 40 percent of his goals this season have been the deciding scores.

1. Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators

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Previous Ranking: Second

By the Numbers: 38 games, 14 goals, 23 assists, 37 points, plus-22, four game-winners, 119 shots, 56.1 Corsi-for percentage.

Bottom Line: Forsberg takes back the top spot thanks to another stellar month. He was edged by Johnny Gaudreau for rookie-of-the-month honors in December, but their production was pretty much on par. The Predators star is simply not slowing down and has already tied Alexander Radulov's franchise mark in points by a rookie.

Both his plus/minus rating and game-winning goals are in the league's top five totals.