Top Five Calder Trophy Candidates

As this excellent NHL season winds down, it's time to consider who will take home what every rookie dreams about: the prestigious Calder Trophy. Awarded to the League's top rookie, the Calder can range from forwards, defensemen, and goaltenders. Columbus Blue Jacket Steve Mason (G) currently holds the title. Previous Calder winners have included Patrick Kane, Alexander Ovechkin, and Evgeni Malkin. It's safe to say the award is a good indicator of future League stars.

These are my Top Five Calder Trophy Candidates.

No. 5: Michael Del Zotto - Defenseman - New York Rangers

Taken 20th overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Michael Del Zotto has been a big part of the Rangers' blueline corp this season.

Averaging just over 19:00 minutes of ice time a game, Del Zotto has amassed 30 points through 70 games (8 G, 22 A). He was named the NHL's Rookie of the Month for October, but his production has dipped since then. The one number that sticks out that will ultimately doom him for Calder contention is his ugly +/- of -22.

At 6'1", 195 pounds, Del Zotto is a physical force on the blueline and has lit the lamp three times on the power play. Although he's a very young 19-years-old, Del Zotto has shown he can be a force on defense in coming years.

No. 4: John Tavares - Left Wing - New York Islanders

The nephew of the Buffalo Bandits legend who shares the same name, the Islanders took John Tavares with the first overall pick in the '09 Draft.

He has been compared to some of the League's greats because of his natural ability to score. A big part of the Islanders' offensive rebuilding efforts, he has not disappointed so far this season.

Another young gunner, the 19-year-old Tavares has played in all 72 games for New York, scoring 21 times (43 P)—including 10 with the man advantage. Averaging almost 18:00 minutes a game, the left winger uses his superb stick handling to make up for his sub-par speed.

Tavares was a Calder favorite to start the season, but a brutal -15 will factor in come voting time.

No. 3: Jimmy Howard - Goaltender - Detroit Red Wings

The only goaltender on the list, Detroit's Jimmy Howard is making a solid case for the Calder.

Through 54 games, the Syracuse, N.Y. native has won 29 times for the Red Wings, helping the struggling team find a groove to try and sneak into the playoffs.

Howard, taken 64th overall in 2003, doesn't fit the typical rookie age—he'll be 26 at the end of March. However, they say good things come to those who wait, and Howard has waited for this season. He's broken out and could become one of the League's elite goalies in the future.

With a 2.30 GAA and a fourth-overall save percentage (.924), Howard has shown he's the man that should be starting in the crease in Motown.

His most dazzling performance came in a shootout loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he put aside 46 shots.

Howard is a Calder favorite, but he's given up four or more goals nine times this season—and that will work against him.

No: 2 - Matt Duchene - Center - Colorado Avalanche

As the NHL leader in points for all rookies, Matt Duchene has made a major impact for Colorado this season.

Taken third overall in the '09 Draft, Duchene's stellar play for the Avalanche this season is a major reason that the team is hanging on to one of the final playoff spots in the Western Conference.

Playing in all 72 games this season, Duchene has been solid. Of his 23 goals, 10 have come on the power play, one on the penalty kill and two game winners. He has added 26 helpers and is a +4.

Averaging around 17 minutes of ice time a game, Duchene is a leading candidate for the Calder. As with most of the rookies, he is just 19-years-old.

No. 1: Tyler Myers - Defenseman - Buffalo Sabres

It's all easy when you're the Big Easy.

Buffalo's monstrous blueliner Tyler Myers is my pick to win the Calder. Taken 12th overall in the '08 Entry Draft, Myers is becoming one of the most feared defenseman in the League. Standing at 6'8", 222 pounds, he is a force to be reckoned with—and he's just 20-years-old.

Myers has been, by far, Buffalo's best defenseman this season. In 71 games played with the Sabres, his accolades are impressive. Amassing 10 goals and 31 helpers, his 41 points rank third among all NHL rookies. He's lit the lamp three times with the man advantage, including a game winner.

But to truly understand why Myers deserves Rookie of the Year honors, one must look a little deeper. He leads all Sabres in ice time with almost 24:00 minutes a game and is ranked 26th in the League among all blueliners.

He's a solid +13, and it seems like he's made veteran Sabre Henrik Tallinder better when they've paired together.

Myers is a big reason why Buffalo is third in the Eastern Conference. If the Sabres go deep in the playoffs, expect Myers to be better than he has been.

The other rookies have been stellar this season. But Myers' play for Buffalo goes beyond goals and assists. He's been good, scary good.

If Myers keeps up this stellar play for the rest of the season, expect him to be hoisting the Calder Trophy in Las Vegas.