2014 NHL Awards Preview – Calder Trophy

HHOF.com

This year there were a number of young guns that came into the NHL and made an immediate impact.  There could have been any number of nominees for the Calder Trophy, the only award that you only get one shot at winning.

The Calder Memorial Trophy is awarded to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition

Sean Monahan, Torey Krug, Valeri Nichushkin and Mark Scheifele are just some of the names that didn’t garner a finalist spot but in many other years would have been near the top of the list.

So we know who didn’t make the grade, so lets take a look at who did.  The names include a pair of teammates from the south as well as the number 1 overall pick who lived up to the incredible hype.

The nominees are:

Mar 19, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning center Tyler Johnson (9) faces off against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. The Lightning beat the Maple Leafs 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Tyler Johnson, Tampa Bay Lightning

Johnson signed with the Lightning as an undrafted free agent in 2012 following 4 years in the WHL.  He got his feet wet last season, appearing in 14 games with the Bolts, recording 6 points.  He made his full impact this season as the Lightning’s second line centre  and stepping up in the absence of Steven Stamkos for the duration of his leg injury.

Johnson scored 24 goals (T-1st among rookies) and added 26 assists (3rd) for 50 points (3rd) and had a +23 rating (3rd ) this season.  He also tied for the league lead (not just the rookie lead) in shorthanded goals with 5.

Mar 10, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) during the third period against the Winnipeg Jets at Pepsi Center. The Avalanche won 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche

The most hyped first overall pick since John Tavares stepped in as an 18 year old and didn’t disappoint. MacKinnon led all rookies in goals (24), assists (39) and points (63), and also posted a +20 rating which was 3rd among freshmen.  He finished 4th on the Avalanche in scoring and was a big reason the Avs went from 29th overall to 3rd in the span of a year.

Apr 8, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Ondrej Palat (18) reacts after scoring a goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period at Tampa Bay Times Forum. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Ondrej Palat, Tampa Bay Lightning

Palat followed a similar path as his teammate Johnson.  Although he was a draft pick, he was a 7th round pick (208th overall) in 2011.  He also played 14 games last year before stepping into a full time role this season.  He ended up getting a lot of time on the top line with Stamkos and Martin St. Louis, where he put up 59 points and an amazing +32 rating.