Calder Memorial Trophy preview - 06-21-10
We'll be previewing the seven NHL awards which count over the next three days. (Sorry Lady Byng fans.) This afternoon, we'll preview the Calder Memorial Trophy which goes to the NHL's top rookie.
{youtube width="640" height="340"}iuCiRqEp97g{/youtube}
Matt Duchene, C - Colorado Avalanche (24 goals, 31 assists, 55 points, +1)
{youtube width="640" height="340"}CZZCSLAF3UQ{/youtube}
Jimmy Howard, G - Detroit Red Wings (37-15-10 record, 2.26 goals against average, .924 save percentage, 3 shutouts)
{youtube width="640" height="340"}8O07m8KH3k0{/youtube}
Tyler Myers, D - Buffalo Sabres (11 goals, 37 assists, 48 points, +13)
Who we'd vote for: Howard. As a goaltender for a perrenial Stanley Cup contender, it's tough to cover up your flaws. Much tougher than at any other position. If you're a forward or a defenseman, the coach can just team you up with a certain linemate or defensive partner. Or he can just limit your minutes and keep you out of certain situations like a power-play or a penalty kill where you'll be exposed. That's never the case for a goaltender. You need to be on top of your game the entire game. That's what happened with Howard this season. He took over for an aging Chris Osgood and kept a banged-up Red Wings team above water until everyone got healthy. Once Detroit got a few bodies off injured reserve, Howard was able to direct the team to one of the hottest streaks down the stretch.
Who will win: Howard. We like Tyler Myers a bunch. He was outstanding for a pretty raw 19-year-old at a position which is typically tough to learn at the NHL and Duchene had a solid, productive season. But Howard was simply the best first-year player in the NHL.