NHL Calder Trophy Tracker: Celebrini, Michkov And Hutson Begin To Separate

The NHL's race for rookie of the year has a three-headed monster at the top.

Macklin Celebrini was the No. 1 overall pick in June. Matvei Michkov battled it out with Connor Bedard internationally until Russia was barred from play. Lane Hutson has wowed people in college and the NHL and produced some of the most insane highlights from a defenseman since Cale Makar. To say that the trio atop the Calder Tracker has been great would be an understatement.

They are far from the only impact rookies, though. A couple of netminders have been solid for their teams of late, and a few others have been finding their groove lately. This isn’t an all-time rookie crop, but the three-horse race makes for an entertaining time.

Let’s dive into the NHL Calder Trophy tracker and see who has been great in their freshman campaigns.

1. Macklin Celebrini, C, San Jose Sharks

After making his NHL debut, Celebrini missed a dozen games because of a hip injury to start the season. There was some worry he would be too far behind that pack to get back into the Calder race.

Not only did he get back into the race, but Celebrini is tied for the NHL's rookie lead in goals and is tied for second in scoring. He leads rookies in even-strength goals and also sits tied for even-strength points. To say that he’s been productive would be an understatement, and it’s all the more impressive that he's coming on a Sharks team that can’t escape the basement.

Celebrini isn’t just scoring, though. The Sharks' top center has been excellent at doing the little things like winning board battles, playing sound defensive hockey and transporting the puck up ice in transition.

Celebrini has proven to be more NHL-ready than just about anyone predicted. It’s early in the year, but Celebrini is the favorite at this point in the season for NHL rookie of the year.

2. Matvei Michkov, RW, Philadelphia Flyers

The NHL’s leading rookie scorer has had his ups and downs, but this season has been as good as the Flyers and Michkov could have hoped.

His creativity and skill have been evident from Day 1, and his commitment to playing hard and giving his all has been exactly what Flyers’ coach John Tortorella wanted from his young cornerstone.

Michkov co-leads rookies in goals, and he’s been a major boost to the Flyers' power play. Although he has been sat down for a couple of games and even attempted a Michigan against his coach's wishes, Michkov's rookie year has been nothing but a success. The young Russian is right behind Celebrini in the race for the Calder.

3. Lane Hutson, D, Montreal Canadiens

The Canadiens' rookie blueliner has been incredible to watch. His dynamic skating and high-level skills are truly amazing. Hutson is tied with Celebrini for second in rookie scoring while leading all rookies in assists.

Hutson generates offensive chances through sheer determination and a willingness to try things that most players would never even think to attempt.

Hutson's bravado makes him special. He has defensive miscues, and he can get knocked off the puck at times, but the high-octane offense has been entertaining to watch.

If Hutson can maintain his scoring rate and improve his defensive play even just a bit, he could find his way to the top of the Calder list. As of right now, he’s the third member of a big three.

Related: Watch: Montreal Canadiens Rookie Lane Hutson Scores First NHL Goal

4. Dustin Wolf, G, Calgary Flames

As of right now, Dustin Wolf is heading up the best of the rest.

He’s always been able to put up stellar numbers at whatever level he’s been at. With two shutouts in his last 10 games and a .913 save percentage over that span, Wolf has been everything the Flames had hoped for. His precision as he moves around his crease and the lack of wasted movement make him an excellent example of what smaller goaltenders need to do to find success.

The Flames have their goalie of the future.

Related: Flames Goalie Dustin Wolf Truly Opening Eyes As An NHL Rookie

5. Logan Stankoven, RW, Dallas Stars

While he’s been on a cold spell with just two points in his last 11 games, Stankoven remains one of the NHL’s most intriguing young players. Even when he’s not producing, Stankoven is putting together solid shifts and making things happen. His energy and pace make an impact every time that he’s on the ice. There’s no reason to believe that his slump will last too much longer as he’s putting together solid efforts.

6. Maxim Tsyplakov, LW, New York Islanders

Although the Islanders as a team seem to lack direction and underwhelm on a nightly basis, Tsyplakov has been a boon for the Isles. The elder statesman of the rookie class has been great no matter who he’s playing with in New York, and it seems like whatever line he is on is the Isles’ best line on a given night. His numbers aren’t eye-popping, but he’s been better than his statistics show.

Related: Former KHLer Proving To Be A Diamond In The Rough For Islanders Early In Rookie Season

7. Will Smith, C/RW, San Jose Sharks

Smith has been playing much better lately after a slow start when he looked like he may have jumped the gun on leaving college. The highly creative playmaker has seen time on the wing recently, which seems to be a good fit for him as he enters the NHL. His shiftiness and skill have flashed more over the last month, but he's likely a bit too far out of the race to become a Calder contender.

8. Justus Annunen, G, Nashville Predators

There isn’t a large sample size of his play in Nashville since he was traded from Colorado, but in both games that he’s played, Annunen has looked quite good for Nashville.

He’s rocking a .954 save percentage with the Preds, and he could be more comfortable playing with a team that isn't hoping that he can be the savior in the net. Annunen isn’t going to win the Calder but he could make things interesting if he can help Nashville climb out of the basement.

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