Recently it was announced that Dylan Larkin was November’s Rookie of the Month which was quite an accomplishment for the former Michigan Wolverine. He had seven goals alone in the month of November which led all rookies. Larkin has been everything the Red Wings have needed and because of that they have had an opportunity to stay in the playoff hunt.
As great as Larkin has been this season, he isn’t the only player tearing it up which is why it is time to channel my inner Las Vegas persona and handicap the Calder Trophy race.
6/5 odds: Artemi Panarin
The 24-year-old rookie has been tearing up the NHL and with good reason as he has played a large portion of his season with points leader Patrick Kane. While it remains to be seen who is carrying the load for that line, it shouldn’t really matter as he has almost a point-per-game pace which is tough to do regardless of teammate. If he can keep up this pace, he will be a shoe in for the Calder Trophy.
3/2 odds: Max Domi
While playing on a team that has no business of competing this year, Domi has taken all of the analysts predictions and decided to promptly throw them all out the window, 21 points in 24 games what more do you need? The former London Knight has carried his load and then some and may be having a more impressive season than Panarin. The question remains that if the Coyotes continue on this torrid pace and Domi is able to sustain this play, who is going to be able to deny him the Calder?
7/1 odds: Dylan Larkin
The aforementioned Larkin is quickly becoming a wunderkind in scouting circles as many are left wondering how the hell did he drop all the way to #15? The Red Wings will have some time to thank their lucky stars now that Larkin has cemented his spot in the lineup. The leading goal scorer among rookies at 10 is playing great but finds himself amongst a very crowded field.
15/1 odds: Colton Parayko
I could have very well put Anthony Duclair and Oscar Lindberg in this slot but I feel uneasy with their shooting percentages and whether or not they will be able to keep it up, thus both fall farther down the list. Parayko may be just what the doctor ordered for the Blues who have loads of top end talent on D but lack sufficient depth. Parayko leads all rookie defensemen in scoring with thirteen and is fourth among rookies in assists. Parayko is a tad older than young guns, Larkin and Domi, which may help his longevity moving forward.
25/1 odds: Connor McDavid/Jack Eichel
The hype surrounding these two before the year started was palpable, any preseason articles about the two didn’t just talk about their impact on their respective teams but the records they were going to break in the process. Eichel is still on a bad Sabres team that is without some bonafide offensive firepower and McDavid has been injured thus putting his season in purgatory. Neither have disappointed thus far but McDavid will need to stay on the ice and Eichel will need to lead the team to some victories for them both to get back on track.
50/1 odds: Garret Sparks
Although Sparks’ inclusion is more of a footnote than anything else, his story shouldn’t be ignored. His journey from the ECHL to the AHL to the NHL as a goalie is one of the better narratives in recent memory, not only because of his time spent in the minors, but the barrage of change he had to overcome. His performance last night was nothing to write home about but with Johnathan Bernier being sent down on a conditioning assignment it wouldn’t surprise me if Sparks stole the job. While Sparks isn’t the first player to come from the ECHL (even though many will lead you to believe otherwise), the hype train of his has already left the station, thanks mostly to the Toronto media. The Leafs were once cellar dwellers this season but if they even sniff a playoff spot and Sparks has his hand in it don’t be surprised if he gets votes for the Calder. What a long shot that would be.
