Free washer | Calder Trophy: where are Lane Hutson’s rivals?

With his three points Monday night against the Vancouver Canucks, Lane Hutson took the lead in scoring among NHL rookies, one point ahead of Matvei Michkov, two ahead of Macklin Celebrini, who nevertheless played ten fewer games. Let’s see where the rivals of the 20-year-old Canadian defenseman stand in the race for the Calder Trophy awarded to the rookie par excellence.

Matvei Michkov

Forward, 20 years old, first round pick (7^e rank) of the Philadelphia Flyers in 2023

Michkov started the year strong with the Flyers, with 27 points in his first 27 NHL games, and a +5 record, but he hit the wall in December. He has been shut out in 10 of his last 11 games and has maintained a record of… -14. Michkov, however, reacted well to the episodes where coach John Tortorella benched him or scratched him from the lineup. That in itself is good news for the Flyers. It remains to be seen when he will regain his splendor from the start of the season. Michkov was drafted in 2023, Hutson in 2022, but they were born the same year, February 2004 for Hutson, December 2004 for Michkov. Ten months separate them.

Macklin Celebrini

Center, 18 years old, first round pick (1^is rank) of the San Jose Sharks in 2024

Undoubtedly the biggest rival of Lane Hutson, his teammate last year at Boston University. Not only is Celebrini close to a point per game (28 in 30) and playing 19:48 on average, second among Sharks forwards after Mikael Granlund, but he also plays with such poise at only 18 years old. Choosing him over Connor Bedard is less and less far-fetched. In all fairness, we have to give him the advantage in the race at the moment.

Dustin Wolf

Goalie, 23, seventh-round pick (214^e rank) of the Calgary Flames in 2019

Goalkeepers are rarely popular in this regard. Steve Mason is the last at this position to have won this trophy, in 2009. Wolf is having a splendid season in Calgary, with a record of 12-6-2, a GAA of 2.63 and a save percentage of .913 , after dominating for a few seasons in the American League. He will nevertheless be 24 years old in April, that could work against him, but goalkeepers always reach their peak a little later.

Logan Stankoven

Forward, 21 years old, second round pick (47^e rang) of Dallas Stars in 2021

The favorite of many experts at the start of the season after his impact at the end of the season and in the playoffs with the Stars, with 22 points in 43 games. This small forward, 5 feet 8 inches, but tenacious as hell, amassed 18 points in 36 games this season, but only 4 goals. Stankoven has only 4 points in his last 21 games. He hasn’t scored since November 14.

Maxim Tsyplakov

Forward, 26, undrafted, New York Islanders

His age almost disqualifies him. However, he offers an interesting contribution to the Islanders within a third trio and the second wave on the power play with 19 points in 40 games, especially since he cost the organization nothing, other than a contract .

Emil Heineman

Forward, 23, obtained by the Montreal Canadiens in an exchange for Tyler Toffoli (second round pick, 34^e rank, Florida Panthers in 2020)

This fourth-line winger from the Canadiens is obviously not in the race to obtain the Calder, but he surprises in a support role in Montreal. He is the third scorer among rookies with ten goals, three less than Celebrini, only two less than Michkov, with a usage time of only 11 minutes per game. The first round pick obtained for Tyler Toffoli may not provide ammunition for the Canadian in his reconstruction since Filip Mesar is disappointing, but he will at least remain Heineman.

The ones we were waiting for…

The following three names appeared on the list of seven favorites according to NHL.com experts, but not that of Lane Hutson…

Cutter Gauthier

Forward, 20 years old, obtained by the Anaheim Ducks for Jamie Drysdale (first round pick, 5^e rank, Philadelphia Flyers)

Like most of the Ducks’ young players this season, Gauthier is unable to break through. He has only 17 points, including 5 goals, in 39 games. He nevertheless amassed five points in his last eight games as part of the second line with Mason MacTavish and Robby Fabbri.

Will Smith

Center, 19 years old, first round pick (4^e rang) of the San Jose Sharks in 2023

The former center for Gabriel Perreault and Ryan Leonard at Boston College and with the American team at the World Junior Championship has had a tough time at Sharks training camp, but he is adapting slowly. He was shut out in his first 8 NHL games, but has 14 points in his most recent 26 games, playing on the right wing of the Sharks’ second line with Collin Graf.

Rutger McGroarty

Forward, 20, obtained by the Pittsburgh Penguins for Brayden Yager (first round pick, 14^e rank, from the Winnipeg Jets in 2022)

Penguins GM Kyle Dubas was hoping to get McGroarty into his lineup this season by getting him for another first-round pick, but a year younger, Brayden Yager, but McGroarty was shortchanged in training camp and he was sent back to the American League after just three games in Pittsburgh. He has only 14 points, including 5 goals, in 27 games in Wilkes-Barre. Nothing encouraging for this young man who will celebrate his 21st birthday in March.