Next year could be the closest Calder Trophy race or most anticipated since the trio of Ovechkin (52g 54a 106pts), Crosby (39g 63a 102pts) and Phaneuf (20g 29a 49pts). The rookies may not crack 100pts but certainly should be a close race between them. This season has a great crop of players are highly touted prospects. Whether it be players comming straight out of the draft, players drafted in 2009 comming up or players that have spent 2 years or more in the in junior or the minors. No matter what, there are legitimate players expected to be start a great career next season.
Some players that come to mind from the 2010 Draft that come to mind are Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin of course, we could also see Nino Niederreiter make the jump and rack up points with Tavares, since Russians often make the jump; Vladamir Tarasenko. As for 2009 draftees Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson, Nazem Kadri and Brayden Schenn. Finally players from the 2008 Draft class and further: Cody Hodgson, Jordan Eberle, one of LA's top D prospects could make the jump; Colten Tuebert and Thomas Hickey, and Kevin Shattenkirk.
Here is who I think the top 2 candidates and the eventual winner of the trophy. (SPOILER ALERT EXPECT TO SEE MORE THAN ONE OILER)
-No.3 Nazem Kadri
10/11 45-50pts
What Kadri does best is improve, in which he has raised his point level substantially in his 4 OHL seasons ( 22pts, 66pts, 78pts, 93pts). Kadri is working on his frame, gainging muscle over the summer. And He will, because it is all he needs to be a great player. The fact Kadri didn't crack the roster last season really took effect on Kadri, he recorded a 105 PIMs this past season. So maybe it was always in the cards for Kadri to get sent back to junior. It really has transformed him into a Burke type player. Expect the Toronto hooligan fans to demand Kadri for mayor this October (there's actually an election too), you will see a lot of people wearing #43 blue & white jerseys downtown.
No.2 Taylor Hall
10/11 60-65pts
I was thinking about this one more than I should have. I originally thought Hall was going to have a Tavares type of rookie season. But then I realized Tavares didn't have the great players to work with as Hall does (they may be rookies but they are better than what the Islanders currently have to offer). Players may say "I still have to earn my spot on the team" but when GM Tabellini clears his roster leaving significant holes; you know there are rookies comming in( Hall, Paajavi-Svensson, Eberle, Linus Omark, Anton Lander). Hall is an amazing scorer, he has tremendous accuracy like Patrick Kane, great flair and finish like Alexander Ovechkin. I believe Hall will be the closest thing Edmonton will ever get to having Gretzky back. Unless ......
-Winner- Jordan Eberle
.... Eberle has something to say about it. Plain and simple; playing on a line with Hall and Paajarvi-Svensson (it was a toss up between P.S and Kadri.... but could you imagine THREE! teamates standing side-by-side at the awards in Las Vegas waiting to see who will accept the Calder Trophy), Eberle is going to the beneficiary of the passes from the two players. The best part about that line both Hall and Eberle can play centre. Hall played wing last season, but has been used in center on occaisions. So that really gives that potential line a great dynamic. The casual hockey fan (that watches the WJC) knows that Eberle is going to great player in the NHL. Eberle is the poster boy for the Canadian junior team, now and for years to come. Some people don't realize is that Eberle posted the same amount of pts as Hall (106). The difference is Hall was on a great Windsor Spitfires and Eberle was on the weak Regina Pats(apart from Colten Teubert and Jordan Weal). Eberle is a great player, imagine him on the Oilers great team?
You're probably thinking why I left Seguin out. For two reasons, he is like like Hodgson, Schenn and Ekman-Larsson; all potential studs, but they aren't ready yet or their team can't fit them in the lineup. Both Hodgson and Seguin fall in that category. Also If Boston doesn't trade Savard (it would really be a slap in the face if they did) it is hard seeing Seguin in the lineup. I think since he only played had 1 amazing season in the OHL. It would be great to see him play one more just to see if he can keep his numbers up and step into the lineup when Patrice Bergeron goes into free agency next offseason.
