Kukla's Korner Hockey
Your Calder Trophy Finalists
by Paul on 04/19/11 at 11:02 AM ET
Comments (8)
NEW YORK (April 19, 2011)—San Jose Sharks center Logan Couture, New York Islanders right wing Michael Grabner and Carolina Hurricanes center Jeff Skinner are the three finalists for the 2010-11 Calder Trophy, awarded “to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition,” the National Hockey League announced today
Members of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association submitted ballots for the Calder Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters designated as finalists. The winner will be announced Wednesday, June 22, during the 2011 NHL Awards from the Pearl Concert Theater inside the Palms Hotel Las Vegas. The 2011 NHL Awards will be broadcast by VERSUS in the United States and CBC in Canada.
Following are the finalists for the Calder Trophy, in alphabetical order:
Logan Couture, San Jose Sharks
Couture was a key contributor in all areas on a Sharks team that captured its fourth consecutive Pacific Division title. The 22-year-old center ranked second on San Jose in goals (32), game-winning goals (eight) and plus-minus (+18); placed third in shots (253) and face-offs (888); fourth in power-play goals (10) and sixth in points (56). He led all rookies in game-winning goals, power-play goals, shots and face-offs, finished second in goals and points and was fifth in plus-minus. The Sharks’ first-round pick in the 2007 Entry Draft tallied seven of his game-winning goals on the road, the most ever by an NHL rookie.
Michael Grabner, New York Islanders
Grabner didn’t start the season with the Islanders, but ended it as the club’s goals leader with 34, a total that also led NHL rookies. Claimed on waivers from Florida on Oct. 5, Grabner surged near the top of the rookie scoring race with a run of 16 goals in 15 games from Jan. 15 to Feb. 15, a period also highlighted by a first-place finish in the Fastest Skater event at the 2011 NHL SuperSkills. His six-game goal streak from Feb. 1-15 matched the longest by any player this season. The 23-year-old Villach, Austria native led all rookies in shorthanded goals (six), ranked second in shots (228) and seventh in plus-minus (+13).
Jeff Skinner, Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes reaped immediate dividends from their top pick in the 2010 Entry Draft as the 18-year-old Skinner, selected seventh overall last June, led all rookies in scoring as the League’s youngest player. His performance over the first half of the season earned him a berth in the 2011 NHL All-Star Game, played in front of a hometown crowd in Raleigh. He went on to lead all rookies in points (63), rank second in assists (32) and third in goals (31). Skinner netted his 30th goal of the season Apr. 6 against Detroit, becoming the seventh-youngest player in NHL history to reach the milestone (18 years, 325 days).
History
From 1936-37 until his death in 1943, NHL President Frank Calder purchased a trophy each year to be given permanently to the NHL’s outstanding rookie. After Calder’s death, the League presented the Calder Trophy in his memory.
Announcement Schedule
The NHL will announce the three finalists for each of its awards daily. The remaining announcement schedule:
Wednesday, April 20 General Manager of the Year
Thursday, April 21 Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (skill/sportsmanship)
Friday, April 22 Vezina Trophy (top goaltender)
Monday, April 25 James Norris Memorial Trophy (top defenseman)
Tuesday, April 26 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy (perseverance and dedication to hockey)
Wednesday, April 27 Frank Selke Trophy (top defensive forward)
Thursday, April 28 Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP)
Friday, April 29 Jack Adams Award (top head coach)
Monday, May 2 NHL Foundation Player Award (contributions to charitable causes)
Filed in: NHL Teams | KK Hockey | Permalink
Comments
Posted by dez on 04/19/11 at 12:06 PM ET
Hard to leave any of these kids off the list, though.
That Skinner is going to be special in Carolina…
Posted by Flashtastick56 from Milford, CT on 04/19/11 at 12:13 PM ET
I would give it to Skinner. The other two while technically rookies, played in the league last year. Skinner doing what did at 18 is very impressive.
Posted by Russian Rocket on 04/19/11 at 12:23 PM ET
all three were really great, you almost have to look at the team they played on to decide. For me it has to be Grabner. The islanders were horrible once again and he really shined on a sub-par team.
Posted by gretzky_to_lemieux on 04/19/11 at 12:47 PM ET
Definitely going with Skinner. Canes found a real player.
Posted by SYF from the bottom of my, what, 11teenth pint of Guinness? on 04/19/11 at 01:25 PM ET
My thoughts on this are a little different. While Skinner and Grabner had phenomenal seasons with their clubs, the Islanders were a terrible team and Skinner was on a slighter better team. The reason I would give it to Couture was because in spite of the talent he has on the team, he carried the team for almost the entire year. But on the other hand, the wording of the trophy doesn’t say most valuable rookie but most proficient.
But in the end, it’s really a toss up. I really couldn’t complain if Skinner or Grabner won it instead. They are definitely special players, especially Skinner. He’s got a good long career in this league.
Good luck to all three
Posted by Matt Fry from Winnipeg on 04/19/11 at 01:26 PM ET
I am surprised Subban did not make the cut, but Skinner in my opinion deserves the Calder this year, Couture a very close second.
Posted by PuckHound61 from Speckville USA on 04/19/11 at 01:27 PM ET
I would go with Skinner on this one though they are all very deserving.
Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 04/19/11 at 01:29 PM ET
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Travesty Carlson’s not on this list. Top line, shutdown minutes on what is still a more offensive minded team.
Posted by dez on 04/19/11 at 12:06 PM ET