Every year, the Calder Memorial Trophy is given to the NHL Rookie of the Year. It is named after Frank Calder, the president of the NHL from 1917 to 1943. While Connor McDavid has missed a significant amount of games due to injury, before then, he was considered a staple for the Calder Trophy and it was almost guaranteed he would win it, as he was considered a “generational player” by many.
McDavid was selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2015 NHL Draft, their third straight first overall pick. It was believed he could get them to the playoffs, but once he got injured, their playoff hopes diminished, and it was clear they had become the same team they were before. The odds are now stacked against McDavid for winning the Calder.
This season, so far, McDavid has missed 37 games due to injury, and if he plays the remaining 22 games, he will have played 45 of 82 regular season games. Not since the Calder’s founding in 1932, has a rookie who played as few games as McDavid won the trophy. For that reason, it is difficult for McDavid to get the Calder. However, there are many reasons why he still has a shot at this elusive trophy.
Connor McDavid now has 12 points in just 6 games since returning to the lineup from injury. If he continues this way, he could very well catch up with Chicago’s Artemi Panarin, who is in the lead of the rookie scoring race right now. A result of this point output is also a confidence booster, and his mental game has improved. Usually, when players are feeling mentally ready, they tend to do better than when their confidence level is low. A good example is the Montreal Canadiens, who kept losing throughout the months of December and January, but as soon as they won a game, they began winning again. Right now, Connor McDavid’s confidence level is up, and he should take advantage of that.
Secondly, McDavid has been given great linemates in Jordan Eberle and Benoit Pouliot who set the bar for his success. Along with them, the line has been contributing offensively for Edmonton and Pouliot and McDavid have had an instant chemistry. Even his power play peers are average at worst – he, Taylor Hall, and Leon Draisaitl have been exceptional on the power play. It is usually the quality of teammates that affects overall play, and Connor McDavid has the advantage here.
Because Connor McDavid was so highly regarded in the draft and touted as a “generational talent,” Edmonton fans, and even NHL fans in general, will keep on checking for news about him. In other words, he is generating a lot of publicity, and that usually helps in becoming a Calder Trophy nominee.
Another reason McDavid is not completely out of the Calder scoring race is because his mid-season injury provided him with a chance to start fresh. Often, hockey players are heard saying that a mid-season injury is usually good because, while opponents are worn out from playing, the injured player gets a mid-season rest in February, and will be fresher in the playoffs.
Connor McDavid is driven and motivated to succeed and be better than those around him. It is that spirit that got Wayne Gretzky to where he was, and it is that quality that puts Connor McDavid in contention for the Calder Trophy. McDavid could very well end up with at least 40 points, given that he already has 24, and that would put him in contention for the Calder.
Last, and most important of all, the fact that McDavid was injured in the first half of the season should not matter at all. That is because the race for the Calder is usually determined by the second half of the season. Proof for this is last year’s rookie scoring race. Filip Forsberg was hot in the first half of the season and was expected to be a guaranteed stud for the Calder, but after his performance dipped in the second half, he ended up not even being in contention. On the other hand, Aaron Ekblad was mediocre in the first half of the season, but picked up his performance in the second half and went on to win the Calder.
For those reasons, McDavid and Oilers fans should not count him out for the Calder race. On the contrary, they should be even more hyped about a generational talent like him, because he is very likely to be a Calder finalist, if not win the trophy itself.
Sources:
Allen, Kevin. "Oilers' Connor McDavid Is Still a Calder Trophy Factor." USA Today. Gannett, 12 Feb. 2016. Web. 25 Feb. 2016.
McGaughey, Paul. "Will Connor McDavid Finish as NHL's Top Rookie?" CBCnews. CBC/Radio Canada, 12 Feb. 2016. Web. 25 Feb. 2016.
Staples, David. "Cult of Hockey: McDavid Must Defy Great Weight of History to Win Rookie Award." Edmonton Journal. Edmonton Journal, 22 Feb. 2016. Web. 25 Feb. 2016.
