Lane Hutson (David Kirouac-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/bef57d2e-ed56-4902-a79f-cc1a9085c8af.jpeg] Lane Hutson (David Kirouac-Imagn Images) The NHL’s Calder Trophy race this season led to a rare scenario. San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/san-jose-sharks/latest-news/breaking-sharks-macklin-celebrini-nominated-for-calder-trophy], Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens/latest-news/canadiens-lane-hutson-nominated-for-top-rookie-award] and Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/calgary-flames/latest-news/calgary-flames-goaltender-dustin-wolf-amongst-finalists-for-calder-memorial-award] are finalists for the top rookie this season, according to voting by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. This is only the fourth time in the last 25 years that a player from each position has been named as finalists for the award (2022-23, 2018-19, 2009-10), and there are cases to be made for each one of these rookies to take home the hardware this season. The challenge is determining which rookie was more “proficient” overall their first season [https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-calder-memorial-trophy-winners-complete-list-287749198], which is the official award criteria, when none play the same role. Positional value has never been more important – or harder to weigh – especially in a season where all three finalists not only impressed but did so with standout numbers across the board. This isn’t a case of one player running away with the Calder on scoring alone. Instead, it’s a rare scenario where elite production came from three different positions, each impacting the game in distinct but equally meaningful ways. Let’s see how each finalist was proficient this season. LANE HUTSON, D, MONTREAL CANADIENS Hutson was thrust into the Canadiens’ lineup with a ton of hype in an organization that has been desperate for scoring from the blueline. He somehow exceeded all expectations. Hutson led all rookies in scoring with 66 points [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/nhl-calder-trophy-tracker-hutson-edges-celebrini-in-the-final-top-five], breaking Chris Chelios’ franchise record [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens/latest-news/canadiens-lane-hutson-beats-chris-chelios-record] for rookie defenseman points with the Canadiens while also tying Larry Murphy’s record of 60 assists as a first-year defenseman. The 21-year-old is also one of three defensemen in the last 15 years to average over 22 minutes per game, reinforcing how important a role he played in the Canadiens’ campaign. The last Canadiens player to win the Calder was goaltender Ken Dryden in 1971-72, and there hasn’t been a better candidate to win the award. In a season where several rookies stood out, none shouldered more responsibility or delivered more consistently than Hutson. MACKLIN CELEBRINI, C, SAN JOSE SHARKS Celebrini [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/blackhawks-bedard-over-sharks-celebrini-not-so-fast]cemented himself as the greatest rookie in Sharks history this season. The first overall selection in the 2024 draft set Sharks rookie records in goals (25), points (63), became the first No. 1 pick since Auston Matthews to record a hat trick as a rookie and became the first Sharks rookie to record five points in a game. Had Celebrini [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/san-jose-sharks/latest-news/macklin-celebrini-to-represent-canada-at-worlds-championships] not missed 12 games with injury this season, there’s a really strong chance the 18-year-old would have locked this award up already. He topped first-year players in points per game (0.90) despite having the weakest supporting cast of all rookies. Doing all this while being one of the most defensively sound forward prospects the NHL has seen in a long time is truly remarkable. Celebrini finished with 29 takeaways, tied with Auston Matthews and Sidney Crosby, and also topped the league in puck battles won per game through the opening half of the season, according to Sportlogiq. [https://x.com/MikeKellyNHL/status/1861430398095360052] Celebrini has become one of the most polished, well-rounded players in the NHL in less than a year since he was welcomed into the league. If proficiency is showing a high degree of competence and skill, Celebrini proved he had both without many flaws. Whether or not he wins the award, there’s no doubt that the future is bright in San Jose. NHL Calder Trophy Tracker: Hutson Edges Celebrini In The Final Top FIve [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/e62f2fdf-24ab-4c68-911a-46f0fc5d842d.jpeg] NHL Calder Trophy Tracker: Hutson Edges Celebrini In The Final Top FIve This is the final edition of the Calder Tracker for the 2024-25 season. That means it’s time to put together my unofficial ballot for the NHL’s rookie of the year award. [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/nhl-calder-trophy-tracker-hutson-edges-celebrini-in-the-final-top-five] DUSTIN WOLF, G, CALGARY FLAMES Wolf singlehandedly dragged the Flames into playoff contention down the stretch of the regular season, putting together a 29-16-8 record, 2.64 goals-against average, .910 save percentage and three shutouts in 53 games. Alex Nedeljkovic with the Detroit Red Wings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings] and Mike Condon with the Canadiens [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens] are the only two goalies to have started more games than Wolf in their rookie season over the past 10 years. Considering the Flames ranked 29th in goals per game (2.68) and didn’t have any players reach the 70-point mark, it’s nothing short of miraculous that they managed to finish within a point of the St. Louis Blues [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/st-louis-blues] for the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference – and Wolf deserves a tremendous amount of credit for keeping them afloat. Unfortunately for Wolf, the odds are stacked against him. Columbus Blue Jackets [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets] goaltender Steve Mason was the last goaltender to win the Calder, going all the way back to the 2008-09 season. But for a once seventh-round pick to emerge as his team’s MVP in his rookie season, there’s no question that Wolf held his own with tons of skill and expertise. Enough voters noticed that from Wolf to make him at least a finalist, and time will tell if he’s determined to have been the most proficient of the bunch. Correction: Lane Hutson had 66 points in the regular season. Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.
