2021-22 NHL Calder Trophy Candidates (Part 1 of 2)
August 28, 2021
The annual race to bring home the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie has been one a marvel at in 2021.
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The annual race to bring home the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie has been one a marvel at in 2021.
The more things change, the more they stay the same, right, Leaf fans? For the fifth consecutive season, the Toronto Maple Leafs found themselves eliminated in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs at the conclusion of the 2020-21 NHL campaign.
After coming in last in the Central Division, the Columbus Blue Jackets are back in the Metropolitan division, looking to continue with their rebuild. Despite not having actually said the word “rebuild”, it is what it is.
The front office in Newark is looking to bolster all facets of their roster in the 2021 draft adding seven new players to the organization. Acquiring a second Hughes brother was the marquee acquisition in this draft.
After a disappointing campaign in 2020-21, the New Jersey Devils had an impressive offseason. The Devils were active in free agency, as well as on the trade front as they attempted to retool their roster.
The Tampa Bay Lightning held seven picks during the 2021 NHL Draft. Without their first-round selection for the second season in a row, the team traded the 32nd pick to the Columbus Blue Jackets for defenseman David Savard.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve examined the likes of a wide variety of prospects “in the system” for the Los Angeles Kings. Elite-caliber names such as Gabe Vilardi, Quinton Byfield, Tobias Bjornfot, Arthur Kaliyev, and Brandt Clarke are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to L.A.’s deep and talented prospect pool.
The Edmonton Oilers headed into the 2021 NHL Draft with six selections. Without a pick in the second or third rounds, the team acquired forwards Andreas Athanasiou and Ryan Kuffner from the Detroit Red Wings. They sent back veteran Sam Ganger and a 2020 and 2021 second-round pick. In addition to this, general manager Ken Holland lost his original 3rd round choice in the deal for winger James Neal. Tied to a draft pick condition in the trade, the pick would be transferred if Neal scored 21 goals or more and veteran Milan Lucic scored ten or fewer goals than Neal during the 2019-20 season.
After a disappointing run in the playoffs, the Colorado Avalanche turned their eyes toward the draft. Wade Klippenstein is the new Director of Amateur Scouting, and he’s been with the team since 2016. He understands what the franchise’s front office is looking for in a pick.
The Chicago Blackhawks last won the Stanley Cup in the 2014-2015 season. Since then, they’ve only made the playoffs three times, with all three chances ending in first-round losses.
As the Los Angeles Kings continue to progress through their rebuild, one major position of strength is their deep and talented prospect pool. Last week, we examined the likes of Tyler Madden, Mikey Anderson, Quinton Byfield, and Brandt Clarke. This week, four new high-end youngsters take center stage.
The Anaheim Ducks went into the draft looking to have a balance among the picks they chose. In addition, they were looking to bolster their offense. You might call it a rebuild, and what better way to get the ball rolling than building through the draft. The promise of new talent is irresistible, and the Ducks heard its siren call.
The annual race to bring home the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie has been one a marvel at in 2021.
The more things change, the more they stay the same, right, Leaf fans? For the fifth consecutive season, the Toronto Maple Leafs found themselves eliminated in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs at the conclusion of the 2020-21 NHL campaign.
After coming in last in the Central Division, the Columbus Blue Jackets are back in the Metropolitan division, looking to continue with their rebuild. Despite not having actually said the word “rebuild”, it is what it is.
The front office in Newark is looking to bolster all facets of their roster in the 2021 draft adding seven new players to the organization. Acquiring a second Hughes brother was the marquee acquisition in this draft.
After a disappointing campaign in 2020-21, the New Jersey Devils had an impressive offseason. The Devils were active in free agency, as well as on the trade front as they attempted to retool their roster.
The Tampa Bay Lightning held seven picks during the 2021 NHL Draft. Without their first-round selection for the second season in a row, the team traded the 32nd pick to the Columbus Blue Jackets for defenseman David Savard.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve examined the likes of a wide variety of prospects “in the system” for the Los Angeles Kings. Elite-caliber names such as Gabe Vilardi, Quinton Byfield, Tobias Bjornfot, Arthur Kaliyev, and Brandt Clarke are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to L.A.’s deep and talented prospect pool.
The Edmonton Oilers headed into the 2021 NHL Draft with six selections. Without a pick in the second or third rounds, the team acquired forwards Andreas Athanasiou and Ryan Kuffner from the Detroit Red Wings. They sent back veteran Sam Ganger and a 2020 and 2021 second-round pick. In addition to this, general manager Ken Holland lost his original 3rd round choice in the deal for winger James Neal. Tied to a draft pick condition in the trade, the pick would be transferred if Neal scored 21 goals or more and veteran Milan Lucic scored ten or fewer goals than Neal during the 2019-20 season.
After a disappointing run in the playoffs, the Colorado Avalanche turned their eyes toward the draft. Wade Klippenstein is the new Director of Amateur Scouting, and he’s been with the team since 2016. He understands what the franchise’s front office is looking for in a pick.
The Chicago Blackhawks last won the Stanley Cup in the 2014-2015 season. Since then, they’ve only made the playoffs three times, with all three chances ending in first-round losses.
As the Los Angeles Kings continue to progress through their rebuild, one major position of strength is their deep and talented prospect pool. Last week, we examined the likes of Tyler Madden, Mikey Anderson, Quinton Byfield, and Brandt Clarke. This week, four new high-end youngsters take center stage.
The Anaheim Ducks went into the draft looking to have a balance among the picks they chose. In addition, they were looking to bolster their offense. You might call it a rebuild, and what better way to get the ball rolling than building through the draft. The promise of new talent is irresistible, and the Ducks heard its siren call.
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