Named as the finalists for the 2010 Calder Memorial Trophy, Tyler Myers of the Buffalo Sabres, Colorado's Matt Duchene, and Detroit's Jimmy Howard are vying for the award this year. As the top rookies, each of them will be present at the NHL Awards in Las Vegas on June 23, where the rightful winner will be announced.
NHL’s Calder Trophy (Translation: Rookie Of The Year) Finalists Announced
A glance at why each individual deserves the honor below.
TYLER MYERS, Buffalo Sabres
I don't know how much more you can ask of a 19-year-old defenseman in his first season. The funny part is that Myers wasn't expected to perform in a Sabres uniform yet, but he played 82 games, led the blue line in goals, assists, points, plus-minus and average time on ice. He also went about his business in front of goaltender Ryan Miller by blocking 137 shots; best among first-year players.
Often related to Zdeno Chara, Myers' skating ability and natural progression have already surpassed that of the hefty Slovakian. With 48 points, he out-dueled all of Chara's totals from the first nine years of his career.
MATT DUCHENE, Colorado Avalanche
Selected third overall in the 2009 Entry Draft, Duchene led all rookies in points, 54, and got better as the season wore on. Avalanche head coach Joe Sacco's youth infusion was guided by the incredibly speedy center who trailed only Paul Stastny and Chris Stewart in production on the squad.
Getting back to what I mentioned about his improvement during the year, he recorded 45 points in his last 56 games after a slow start of ten points in 25 matches. The plus-minus took a 180 degree turn - from minus-nine to a plus-one - indicating that his defensive awareness prospered as it should for a center. How fitting was it that Duchene scored the shootout goal on Apr.6 which clinched a playoff berth for Colorado?
JIMMY HOWARD, Detroit Red Wings
The oldest member of this Calder class, Howard did what Chris Osgood failed to do; allow Detroit to survive with key members injured. As a late bloomer, the 26-year-old finally stepped up to deliver 63 games played, 37 wins, a .924 save percentage, 2.26 goals against average and three shutouts. He had nine games of previous experience spread out through three separate campaigns.
Where would the Red Wings be without Howard? Below fifth place, that’s for sure. So much he changed in Detroit’s fortunes, that Derek Zona of The Copper & Blue, believes he should receive consideration for the Hart Trophy.
None of this means that Jimmy Howard will be able to deliver these results over the long term. None of this suggests that Howard deserves a multi-year multi-million dollar contract that NHL general managers seem to love to hand out to goaltenders. All I’m saying is that this year Jimmy Howard saved the Red Wings season and for that he deserves the Hart Trophy.
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