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San Jose Sharks Rookie Is a Top Contender for Calder Trophy

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Macklin Celebrini is on his way to making history in his rookie year with the NHL. He is currently battling for the top spot to win the Calder Trophy. His competition has been the best driving force to keep him on top of his game. With only 25 games left in the season, the race for the rookie of the year is winding down, the excitement is only increasing. 

Sharks Macklin Celebrini In Competition To Bring Home One Trophy This Season

The San Jose Sharks have struck luck when it came to getting the first-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. Celebrini has played in 45 games this season and has racked up 17 goals with 23 assists. In his first season in the NHL, he has made it as the Shark’s number-one center with an average of 20 minutes of ice time. He has had a truly impressive season with San Jose with room for him to develop and grow. 

Celebrini had a rough start to the season when an injury from the season home opener sidelined him. In the same game, he scored his first goal and his first assist to start his NHL career. He is also the top goal scorer for the Sharks, while also tying William Eklund in the number of points scored. 

Celebrini has a great chance at winning the Calder Trophy if he can keep his momentum moving forward. He is taking on a lot of pressure with being moved up the first line as a rookie. Celebrini has a great chance at walking away with the Calder, only if he can help bring the Sharks a few more wins. Without having a chance at playoffs, he will need to work harder to secure his place at the top of the list. 

Montreal Canadiens Lane Hutson Has Not Slowed Down In His Race For The Calder

Macklin has competition, his former college teammate Lane Hutson is not letting this go without a fight. Hutson has one more point over Celebrini and has played in 56 games this season. He had the opportunity to score points that would bring him further ahead. However, his season started slow. 

Hutson has been a driving force for the success that the Montreal Canadiens have had this season. Hutson has 3 goals and 38 assists and an average of 22 minutes on the ice. His skill has been a dire asset to the Canadiens team, making him one of the most productive players on the ice. 

The Canadiens have had a better season than the Sharks and if Hutson can help push the team into a playoff spot he can easily walk away with the Calder Trophy. As of now, he is sitting right behind Macklin in the race but has no intention of slowing down. 

Rookie Goaltender Has A Shot At Sealing His Spot In The Race.

One rookie who has been the talk of goaltending this season, Dustin Wolf has also thrown his hat in the ring for the Calder. The Calgary Flames rookie has had an impressive season, he has played and started in 33 games and is keeping them in the race for the playoffs. He has 19 wins, 11 losses and 3 overtimes and his save percentage is a .907.

Wolf ranks among the top ten for goaltenders for his save percentage. His 19 wins also put him in the spot for the top 13th in the league for the most wins this far. Regardless of the Flames sitting third points out of a playoff spot, if they tend to use Wolf a little more, he can potentially get them into a spot.

Rookie Calder Race Is Not Slowing Down And Only Getting Better

The rookie race to take home the Calder Trophy has been an exciting race to watch. There are three rookies each bringing their skill and achievements to the race. Macklin Celebrini comes into the last half of the season at a disadvantage, he is playing on a team that will not make the playoffs. His game this last half of the season will need to be outstanding for him to stay in the race.

Main Photo: Robert Edwards- Imagn Images

 

The post San Jose Sharks Rookie Is a Top Contender for Calder Trophy appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.