Calder Trophy Watch: Michkov On Top of Rookie Scoring Ladder

After a three-point game in Thursday’s loss, Philadelphia Flyers’ rookie Matvei Michkov is on top of the rookie scoring ladder.

Michkov has scored 19 goals, 25 assists, and 44 points in 58 games. He leads all NHL rookies in goals scored, passing Macklin Celebrini (24) with his two goals on Thursday. Michkov is also tied for the most points by a rookie (44) with Montreal’s Lane Hutson. Not that Michkov was ever out of the race, but he now officially sits atop the rookie scoring lead.

Michkov also leads all rookie forwards with 25 assists this season. He only trails Huston (40) in that stat.

Originally expected to be a two-man competition, the Calder Trophy race has turned into a four-man hunt. Michkov, along with Hutson and Celebrini, are joined by Calgary netminder Dustin Wolf in the chase for the Calder Trophy.

The race is certainly close.

If the season ended today, I would go:

1. Dustin Wolf, G, CGY
2. Matvei Michkov, F, PHI
3. Macklin Celebrini, F, SJS
4. Lane Hutson, D, MTL

While that is my list as of now (2/28), that could all change over the course of one game–that’s how close this race is.

Each player has something that makes their season look significant. For instance, Celebrini (42) trails Michkov and Hutson in points (44), but he has done it in 10 less games. However, despite playing 10 fewer games than Michkov, Celebrini has just over 20 minutes more on ice this season than Michkov. Even with the injury, no rookie forward has more on ice time than Celebrini.

Pivoting to Hutson, he’s been atop the rookie points lead for quite some time now. He has the most assists of any rookie this season, and it is not even close. Michkov (25) trails Hutson’s 40 by 15 assists. Hutson has earned valuable power play time for the Canadiens–19 of his 44 total points came on the power play.

I was going to use that statistic to explain why the other two rookie skaters were more impressive, but then I looked into their power play stats. 14 of Celebrini’s points and 15 of Michkov’s came on the power play.

If the season were to end today, and the Calder Trophy decision was in my hands, I would give it to Dustin Wolf. Here is why.

First of all, no rookie goaltender has won the Calder since Steve Mason in the 2008/09 season. That is not to say there have not been any impressive rookie goalies since; they have just been outshone by skaters. Wolf has an outstanding .913 save percentage, is averaging 2.60 goals against, and is 20-12-3 in 35 games this season.

Not only are his stats impressive, but his play has elevated a very mediocre Flames right into the playoff hunt. Especially in a year where expectations were seriously low, that is an impressive feat for a rookie goalie. In fact, of all the top-four candidates, Wolf and the Flames are the only team that would be in the postseason if the playoffs started today.

Nothing against skaters, but Wolf is also excelling in the most important position in hockey. A team can only be as good as their last line of defense.

In my opinion, Wolf should be the front-runner for the Calder Trophy, but like I said, I mean that for now…

Since play resumed from the 4 Nations break, Matvei Michkov has eight total points. The Flyers’ rookie has three goals and five assists in three games.

Not only does Michkov look rejuvenated, but his linemates are flying as well. Since returning from break/injury, Owen Tippett is on a three-game goal streak. He has five points (4G, 1A) in the three games back. Flyers’ captain Sean Couturier, the center of the line, has four points (1G, 3A) since returning from the break. If the line can keep up their high level of play, the points will keep flowing for Michkov.

I may be a bit biased when I say Michkov is the best rookie skater of the group. I watch all of his games and pay attention to the details of his game. I cannot say the same or even remotely close for the others. However, Michkov’s impressive scoring right now has to tell that he has a real good shot at the Calder Trophy.

A near three-point-per-game pace is near impossible to keep up for a short stretch, let alone the rest of the season. However, if Matvei Michkov can continue to find ways to score, the Calder Trophy could be his to lose.