Colorado Avalanche: Matt Duchene Making Calder Race Interesting

Every year, the Calder Memorial Trophy is awarded to the NHL's most outstanding rookie. Fifty-seven games into the 2009-2010 NHL campaign, there is a clear favorite for the award: number 57 on the Buffalo Sabres.

Standing six feet, eight inches tall, 20 year old defenseman Tyler Myers has been impeccable in his own zone for the Sabres, logging over 23 minutes in ice time a night and chipping in offensively with a gaudy 31 points. Some overzealous fans even believe he deserves Norris Trophy consideration.

Enter Matt Duchene.

While other rookies have hit walls, Duchene has continued to accustom himself to life in the NHL.

After a slow start in which he had only two goals in his first 22 games, the 19 year old Duchene has produced at an extraordinary rate, scoring 30 points in his past 35 games. He leads the entire Avalanche in goals with 18, and leads all rookies in goals, assists, and points.

Historically, the award has been largely based on points and 31 points by a defenseman is more impressive than 39 points by a forward. However, Myers has been cold with no goals and four assists in his past 10 games, whereas Duchene has 10 points in the same span.

The fact that Duchene is a year younger will play a role in the voting, but he'll have to knock on the 60 point mark to override what Myers has accomplished. He's currently on pace for 56 points, and when all is said and done, the Calder race will be closer than many think it is.