The Chicago Blackhawks have had many great rookies come in and perform, the latest being Connor Bedard as he won the Calder Trophy in 2023-24. But Steve Larmer was someone who impressed in his first season over 40 years ago in 1982-83.
Larmer won the Calder Trophy as well that season, having only played seven games across the two prior seasons where he recorded just one assist. But in his rookie year, he put up 43 goals and 90 points. While there wasn't any indication he would have that impact right away in the NHL, there were signs he would produce big offensive numbers at one point since his final AHL season consisted of 38 goals and 82 points in 74 games.
Larmer helped the Blackhawks finish first in their division, second in the conference, and fourth in the NHL that season, and he didn't slow down for many years. And while he never won a Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks despite nine consecutive appearances and 923 points in the regular season with Chicago, he won it the following season after he left with the New York Rangers.
Larmer was a +44 in his rookie season with 13 power-play goals and nine game-winning goals. He would only match those nine GWG one more time in his career. He never scored 50 goals in the NHL, but only topped the 43 goals he scored as a rookie two more times. He topped 90 points only once, also tying it in one of his later years.
The Calder Trophy was the only individual award that Larmer won in the NHL, but he finished in the top-10 in voting for the Hart Trophy, Selke Trophy, and Lady Byng Award.
As a rookie, Larmer finished second on his team in goals, and points, third in assists, and first in +/-. He trailed only Al Secord (54 goals), Denis Savard (86 assists) and Doug Wilson (51 assists), and Savard (121 points).
I don't think there will be another rookie season like the one Larmer put together, but the hope is that there are more impressive ones in the near future for the Blackhawks.
