As the NHL’s regular season comes to a close, the discussion turns towards who will take home the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie. While there are a number of talented first-year players who have made a strong case for the award, two names stand out above the rest: Matthew Beniers and Owen Power. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at each player’s season and why they could each be a worthy recipient of the Calder Trophy.
NHL.com’s Trophy Tracker series is in its fifth instalment, and they are looking at the race for the Calder Trophy, awarded annually to the best rookie in the NHL. The winner is selected through a poll by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
This year, Matty Beniers from the Seattle Kraken is the favourite to win the coveted prize. At just 20 years old, Beniers has had an incredible debut season as a first-line center, playing a big part in the Kraken’s qualification for the playoffs for the first time in their second NHL season. Beniers leads NHL rookies in goals, points, and even-strength points, whilst also recording high figures in hits, takeaways, blocked shots and face-offs won.
Buffalo Sabres defenceman Owen Power was second in the poll, followed by Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner and Dallas Stars forward Wyatt Johnston.
Regardless of whether Beniers takes home the award, he has exceeded expectations this season and proven himself a valuable asset to the Kraken. It will be exciting to see how he continues to develop in the seasons to come.
It’s exciting to see new talents emerge in the NHL season after season, and this year’s top picks for the Calder Trophy undoubtedly deserve recognition for their impressive performances on the ice. Owen Power and Matthew Beniers showed promise as they led their respective teams to victories and continuously impressed fans and critics alike with their exceptional skills. As we near the end of the season, all eyes will be on these two outstanding players as they vie for the coveted title of NHL Rookie of the Year. Only time will tell who will come out on top, but one thing is for sure: these rising stars have a bright future ahead of them in the world of hockey.
