Calder Trophy finalists announced
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Gabriel Landeskog and Adam Henrique were named finalists for the Calder Trophy, the league's rookie of the year award.
The Chosen, The Snubbed
Craig Custance provides his pick on who should win the Calder Trophy, and a look at those who missed out on getting nominated. Blog
Nugent-Hopkins, a center with the Edmonton Oilers, missed a chunk of time earlier this year with two separate shoulder injuries, but still finished with 52 points (18 goals, 34 assists) in 62 games.
Nugent-Hopkins was the No. 1 pick in the 2011 draft, and only turned 19 in April.
Henrique, a center with the New Jersey Devils, had 51 points (16 goals, 35 assists) and a plus-8 in 74 games.
"It's well-deserved," Devils goalie Martin Brodeur, who won the award in 1994, said to The (Newark) Star-Ledger. "The Calder is one of these trophies that is once-in-a-lifetime. It's one year and that's it. For you to be part of a group of top rookies is kind of nice to get recognized. He's in the top three regardless of what happens."
Landeskog, a left wing with the Colorado Avalanche, also had 52 points (22 goals, 30 assists) and played every game this season, finishing with a plus-20.
"He's a rookie, but he plays like a veteran out there," defenseman Shane O'Brien told NHL.com. "He acts like a veteran."
The winner will be announced during the NHL awards show June 20 in Las Vegas.
SPONSORED HEADLINES
MORE NHL HEADLINES
- Quick burst in second sends Wings over Hawks
- Lundqvist plans to battle through sore shoulder
- Report: Avs in talks to hire Roy as coach
- Greening's goal in 2 OT leads Sens by Pens
