Is 'poor man's Sidney Crosby' best choice for NHL Rookie of Year?

San Jose Sharks rookie center Macklin Celebrini | Robert Edwards-Imagn Images

By the final stretch of the NHL season, candidates for year-end awards typically are in sharp focus. But like the uncertainty of who will win the Hart Trophy, the annual award for league MVP, the voting for the Calder Trophy for Rookie of the Year still has many scenarios that could play out.

Two names at the top of just about every list are Montreal's Lane Hutson and San Jose's Macklin Celebrini. They pad their Calder Trophy-worthy resumes seemingly with every game. 

However, Calgary goalie Dustin Wolf and Philadelphia right wing Matvei Michkov also have good cases. 

So let's assess the leading candidate for the award, voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association. (All statistics are through Monday's play.)

1. Center Macklin Celebrini | San Jose Sharks

San Jose had high hopes this season with the addition of 18-year-old Celebrini. But the club has been eliminated from playoff contention and could finish with the league's worst record for the second consecutive season.

But don't blame Celebrini. Despite missing his first 12 games of the season with a hip injury, he has 21 goals, the most by the rookies in the Calder conversation. He also has 29 assists for 50 points, two points shy of Hutson.

Per The Athletic, a front-office executive in the NHL described Celebrini as a “poor man’s Sidney Crosby,” pointing out how well-rounded a player he is and noting his work ethic and skill. 

"We grew up getting his jersey, getting his sticks,” Celebrini said about Crosby, per NHL.com Independent Correspondent Wes Crosby earlier this season.

DraftKings lists him as the favorite to win the award.

"Celebrini's all-around impact on the game is undeniable. Every time I watch a Sharks game, I'm amazed by how polished his game is," a voter told ESPN's Greg Wyshynski. "He's a borderline elite NHL player at 18 years old."

2. Defenseman Lane Hutson | Montreal Canadiens

Hutson’s chances of winning the Calder Trophy are just about even with Celebrini's. He leads all rookies with 52 points (four goals, 48 assists).

In a win against the Sabres on March 3, Hutson tallied his 50th point in his 63rd game — the fastest a Montreal defenseman has hit the 50-point mark in team history. Chris Chelios had held the record at 66 games.

Hutson and Celebrini are familiar with each other, with both having played at Boston University last season. BU coach Jay Pandolfo told NHL.com his former players should share the Calder Trophy. 

“It's been so fun to watch those guys play at that level and the success they're having," he said. 

Hutson is second in the odds to win the Calder Trophy, per DraftKings.

3. Goalie Dustin Wolf | Calgary Flames

Of all the rookie goalies, Wolf has the most playing time (41 games). He is instrumental in the Flames’ push to the playoffs with 22 wins and a .912 save percentage. Plus, he's tied with Ottawa's Linus Ullmark among all NHL goalies in save percentage and is in the top 20 of all goalies in many other categories, including goals-against average (2.62), saves (1,105) and shutouts (three).

"If we're talking about who has truly been the best performing rookie over the balance of the season, it has to be Dustin Wolf," a voter told ESPN. "What he's done in Calgary is remarkable and he's the only rookie in the discussion who's been consistently at the top of his game all year."

Per DraftKings, he’s third in odds to win, but if the Flames make the playoffs, don’t be surprised if he climbs the ladder.

4. Right wing Matvei Michkov | Philadelphia Flyers

Despite playing less than Celebrini and Hutson (an average of 16 minutes, 16 seconds per game compared to Hutson’s 22:20 and Celebrini’s 19:45), Michkov has put up impressive numbers. He's one behind Celebrini for the most goals by a rookie (20) and has 27 assists. 

However, Michkov is scoreless in his past five games. The Flyers have a tough schedule ahead (at Capitals on Thursday, at Stars on Saturday), which could hurt his chances of winning the award if he fails to produce.

Per DraftKings, Michkov is fourth in the odds to win the Calder Trophy.