Calder Trophy Hopefuls: Is John Tavares Still the Favorite?

Written By: Mark “The Hard Hitter” Ritter

Before the 2009-10 NHL season began, the consensus pick for the NHL’s Rookie of the Year/Calder Trophy winner was John Tavares. Tavares, who was selected first overall by the New York Islanders in the 2008-09 NHL Entry Draft, came into the NHL with a tremendous resume and the reputation as being a tremendous competitor.

Tavares was thought to be the favorite, but it would not come without some competition. The other leading candidates to win the Calder Trophy were the Tampa Bay Lightening’s defenseman Victor Hedman and, to a lesser degree, the Colorado Avalanche’s forward Matt Duchesne, each player with tremendous resumes, each one with a great skill-set.

With most NHL teams 10 games into the 2009-10 season, the race for the Calder Trophy has become very clouded with as many as 10 players now in the running.

Let's face it, picking the Calder Trophy winner is never an easy task. It's one thing to "do it" at the junior level, quite another to be an impact player at the NHL level. Many a rookie before them failed to impress and, to be honest, outside of a few no-brainers like Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, Mats Sundin, and Mario Lemieux (to mention a few), picking a blue chip prospect is a crap shoot at the best of times.

This season, with so many players quickly establishing themselves as legitimate candidates, it looks as if the competition for the Calder will be both fierce and deep rooted.

Tavares, Hedman, and Duchesne are all still in the running, that said, based on the early results, none of those players can be considered the favorite. Truth is, there has been a changing of the guard and you might be very surprised at which players have eclipsed them.

Here's is a look at the Calder Trophy leaders after the first 10-12 games of the 2009-10 NHL season:

Michael Del Zotto

Heading into the 2009-10 season Del Zotto was well off the Calder Trophy radar. At 6’0" and 211 pounds, Del Zotto already had NHL size but, being a defenseman, the odds of Del Zotto making the Rangers roster were slim.

Del Zotto, a prototypical offensive defenseman, had a strong preseason and quickly established himself as an offensive threat while adapting to the ultra tough role of NHL defenseman.

Del Zotto has put his offensive tools to good use for the Rangers. His four goals, three of which have come on the power play, through 11 games, ranks him fourth overall amongst NHL defensemen. His 10 points ranks him third overall amongst NHL defensemen and ties him for first overall amongst NHL rookie players.

One stat that jumps off the page is Del Zotto’s shooting percentage which, at 30.8 percent, is the best percentage amongst NHL rookies and fifth amongst all NHL skaters. Combine that with his plus three rating and you have yourself a resume which, early on, makes you a favorite to win the Calder Trophy.

Ryan O’Reilly

O’Reilly, who many felt would be a first round draft choice, ended up being selected in the second round of the NHL entry draft, 33rd overall to the Colorado Avalanche. After his quick start, suffice to say, I think if a few NHL general managers would like another shot at this kid.

Through 11 games, O’Reilly has netted two goals and eight assists for a total of 10 points, tying him for first overall with Del Zotto. More importantly, O’Reilly has played hard in all zones and has impressed everyone with his skating, which was supposed to be his downfall.

Known for being a hard worker with a tremendous compete level, O’Reilly has quickly endured himself to his teammates and coaches alike. His plus-10 rating ranks him first overall amongst NHL rookies, second overall in the NHL.

O’Reilly also owns a 52.1 percent success rate in the face-off circle, ranking him first amongst rookies, 44th amongst all NHL skaters.

A tremendous compete level, defensively responsible, ability to play in all situations, and a desire to be the best, make O’Reilly a favorite to bring the Calder home.

Tyler Myers

Drafted in the first round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, 11th overall, Myers, who stands 6’8" and weighs in at 222 pounds, spent the 2008-09 season with the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets, registering nine goals, 33 assists and 42 points; a 23-point improvement on his 2007-08 season.

More importantly, Myers went from a -16 rating to a + 31, an impressive leap for any player. Myers also worked on his skating, which by all accounts, seems to have improved.

With a wing-span the size of a 747 jet, Myers is very difficult to maneuver around and his is beginning to use his tremendous size to it’s full advantage, exhibiting a willingness to mix it up and take the body when the opportunity presents itself.

Blessed with a hard/accurate shot, Myers has managed to score two goals through eight games and added three assists, for five points. Myers is not known for his offensive abilities, but, judging by his early success, Myers appears to be comfortable, no matter what role he is playing.

Most impressive is Myers’ plus/minus, which, at plus eight ranks him second overall amongst NHL rookies, tying him for sixth amongst all NHL skaters.

This kid has huge upside and I suspect Myers will only get better as the season progresses.

Honorable Mentions

Clearly, John Tavares is still in the running for the Calder. As a member of the New York Islanders, Tavares has been handicapped by playing for a bad team. Make no mistake about it, he has played well netting three goals and adding four assists, for seven points through nine games.

No doubt about it, Tavares is a talented kid quite possibly the most skillful forward of the 2008-09 class but right now, there are more deserving players to win the Calder, the numbers don’t lie, Tavares’ numbers just aren’t good enough.

Victor Hedman has struggled to find his way with Tampa Bay. As I mentioned before, the NHL is a tough place for a defenseman, even tougher if you are a rookie. Truth be told, not many rookie defensemen make a big splash in their first season, which seems to be holding true with Hedman.

With just four assists and a plus one rating, Hedman has been good, but not good enough to be considered a favorite to win the Calder.

Selected in the fifth round, 129th overall in the 2007 NHL entry draft by the Dallas Stars, Jamie Benn has come out of nowhere to make a big impression on his teammates and the Dallas Stars coaching staff.

Known for his scoring abilities, Benn, a forward, has netted three goals and five assists through 11 games and has not looked out of place. His ability to handle the puck in close and his strong shot, should serve him well going forward.

Every year there seems to be a play that comes out of nowhere to shock the NHL world, this could be Benn’s year.

On The Horizon

There are a few other players that have impressed so far. They have all played well thus far and, with a little luck and determined effort, may very well find their names in the discussion for the Calder. Here is a quick glance at a few rookie to keep your eyes on:

Jason Demers (D), San Jose Sharks- 11GP- 0G, 8A, eight points, +5.
James Van Riemsdyk (F), Philadelphia Flyers- 7GP, 1G, 6A, seven points, +2.
Evander Kane (F), Atlanta Thrashers- 8GP, 3G, 2A, five points, +3
Matt Duchesne (F), Colorado Avalanche- 11GP, 1G, 5A, six points, -3.
Matt Gilroy (D), New York Rangers- 11GP, 2G, 1A, three points, +4
Michael Grabner (F), Vancouver Canucks- 6GP, 2G, 3A, five points, -2

Enjoy the race for the Calder!

Until next time,

Peace!