It was an exciting NHL season for rookies, but the Hockey Writers Association had to narrow it down to three deserving candidates for the 2015-16 Calder Trophy.
Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere, Oilers forward Connor McDavid and Blackhawks forward Artemi Panarin have been voted as finalists for the award, which will be presented on June 22 in Las Vegas.
Here are our rankings and a prediction for the Calder Trophy.
3) Connor McDavid
McDavid, 19, is looking to become the first Oiler to ever win the Calder Trophy and is the first Edmonton player to serve as a finalist since Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in 2012. McDavid missed three months of the season with a fractured left clavicle, but still managed to notch 48 points in 45 games, finishing fourth among rookies. The 2015 No. 1 overall draft pick scored 16 goals and notched 35 assists.
2) Shayne Gostisbehere
Gostisbehere, 23, led rookie defenseman in goals (17), assists (29), points (46), power play goals (eight) ad power play points (22) in 64 games. The blue liner also lit the lamp with four overtime goals and after playing in 64 games in the regular season, he notched a goal and an assist in six playoff games as the Flyers fell to the Capitals in Round 1. He looks to be the first Flyer to win the Calder Trophy.
1) Artemi Panarin
Panarin, 24, had an explosive rookie season. The forward paced all rookies in goals (30), assists (47), points (77), power play points (24) and game-winning goals (seven). Panarin played most of the season alongside Patrick Kane, who was the Blackhawks' last Calder Trophy winner (2008). Panarin averaged a point per game (two goals, five assists) in seven postseason matches as the Blackhawks fell to the Blues in Round 1.
Prediction
This is a tough one to call. McDavid notching 48 points in 45 games is astonishing as was Gostisbehere's production for Philadelphia. Still, Panarin led all NHL rookies in most major scoring categories -- even if he was boosted by playing with a Hart Trophy favorite in Kane -- and is our pick to win the nod.
The Pick: Artemi Panarin.
