The Columbus Blue Jackets selected Pierre-Luc Dubois with the third overall pick at the 2016 NHL Draft. Though Dubois didn’t grab all of the headlines, he’s still confident he could be the best rookie to skate in the NHL in 2016-17 … if he makes the NHL roster.
Dubois recently spoke with NHL.com and stated he thinks he has a pretty good shot at winning the Calder Trophy.
“We’ll see, but, I mean, if I’m in Columbus I might have a shot for that. It’s a different level, but if I am in there I think I have a good shot at it. When you are in [the NHL], you don’t really think about it. You just want to play and help your team win. If you win an award like that, it is an honor.”
If Dubois truly believes he has a chance to win the Calder, you’d think he’d be a bit more confident in making the Blue Jackets out of training camp.
Looking at the bigger picture, Dubois is going to have plenty of competition for the Calder. Top overall pick from the 2016 NHL Draft Auston Matthews appears to be the favorite heading into the season, but Patrik Laine (the second overall pick) is right on his heels. Beyond the most familiar names, every season seems to feature at least a handful of rookies who edge their way into the Calder conversation.
Dubois might have a shot, but he’ll have to beat out a host of other talented rookies in the process.
