Henrique, Landeskog and Nugent-Hopkins Voted Calder Trophy Finalists

[Thrillhouse]

NEW YORK -- Center Adam Henrique of the New Jersey Devils, left wing Gabriel Landeskog of the Colorado Avalanche and center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins of the Edmonton Oilers are the three finalists for the
2011-12 Calder Trophy, which is awarded “to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition,” the National Hockey League announced today.

Members of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association submitted ballots for the Calder Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters designated as finalists. The winner will be announced Wednesday, June 20, during the 2012 NHL Awards from Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas. The 2012 NHL Awards will be broadcast by NBC Sports Network in the United States and CBC in Canada.

Following are the finalists for the Calder Trophy, in alphabetical
order:

Adam Henrique, New Jersey Devils

A third-round pick by the Devils in 2008 and winner of back-to-back Memorial Cups with the OHL Windsor Spitfires in 2009 and 2010, Henrique filled a crucial void in the Devils lineup following an Achilles injury to No. 1 center Travis Zajac, who missed all but 15 games this season.
Henrique made the most of his opportunity by tallying 51 points (16 goals,
35 assists) in 74 games, mostly centering wings Zach Parise and Ilya Kovalchuk. He led all rookies in assists and shorthanded goals (four), ranked third in rookie scoring and posted the NHL's longest point streak among freshmen (seven games, Nov. 25 to Dec. 8).

Gabriel Landeskog, Colorado Avalanche

Selected second overall at the 2011 NHL Draft, Landeskog assumed a leading role on an Avalanche club that improved by 20 points over its
2010-11 total. Landeskog posted 52 points (22 goals, 30 assists) in 82 games, capturing the rookie scoring title in a tie-breaker over Edmonton's Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (18-34--52) on the basis of more goals. Landeskog ranked second among rookies in goals and third in assists, making him the only rookie among the top three in all three categories. The 19-year-old left wing led all rookies and set a Colorado franchise record with 270 shots on goal and was the only rookie to lead his club in goals.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Edmonton Oilers

A spectacular start to his NHL career quickly ended speculation where Nugent-Hopkins, the first overall pick in the 2011 NHL Draft, would spend the 2011-12 season. He notched the game-tying goal in the season opener against Pittsburgh, tallied a hat trick in his third career game and became the first 18-year-old in League history to tally five assists in one game, against Chicago on Nov. 19. Nugent-Hopkins went on to finish in a tie for first place among rookies in points with 52 (18 goals, 34 assists) despite missing 20 games due to injury. His point-per-game average of .84 was the best among rookies.

History

From 1936-37 until his death in 1943, NHL President Frank Calder purchased a trophy each year to be given permanently to the NHL’s outstanding rookie. After Calder’s death, the League presented the Calder Trophy in his memory.

[AmericanDream]

Henrique is very surprising of a player to me...thought Justin Faulk would find a way in there as he has been the most solid rookie dman this year...

good for all 3 kids, hopefully the league keeps getting more and more top end kids into the league.. youth is king

[thepolishkid88]

Don't really feel any of them ran away with the award this year and thus the voting should be close. I've gotten to see Henrique the most so thats where my vote would most likely be. Landeskog looked good in the games I saw him and RNH was good as well.

If I was a betting man I'd vote for RNH to win it.

[17Milan]

nugent hopkins in what should be a decent margin.

[The_Sheriff]

Should be Landeskog

[MattBurger]

Nugent-Hopkins. He missed 20 games and was still tied for most points by any rookie season.

[NJDevils17]

I know he's not going to win, but I'm really happy to see Adam Henrique on there.

He played a huge role this season and filled in for Zajac very nicely.

[fcm]

RNH without a doubt.

[Mclaren14]

Its not all about points...Landeskog was a better all around player then RNH and Landy should win

[17Milan]

Originally Posted by Mclaren14

Its not all about points...Landeskog was a better all around player then RNH and Landy should win

i'm sure you are not biased on bit are you?

[Killah_punk]

I think Landeskog is going to edge out Nugent-Hopkins. RHN would of won it had he not missed so much time.

[The_Sheriff]

Landeskog was +20, RNH was -2

219 hits for Landeskog, 38 for RNH (obviously that not his game, but that makes GL's stats better in my eyes)

20 more blocked shots for Landeskog, 3 more game winning goals too

You gotta look beyond points and I get the fact that he missed games, and I think RNH will get it, I just thing Landeskog really deserves it.

Playing in all 82 games with his style as a 19 year old is incredibly impressive to me

[ghjkfdhgfd]

Hopkins is a great player, and will only get better. Henrique was good, but Kovy and Parise are good linemates. As for GL, I like this kid aloooot, he is solid in his own zone, he plays the body, he is feisty. good passing skills, and a shooter.

I think RNH might win it, but GL would be ok with me.


I'd rather Read be put in over Henrique, even if he is 26 lol.

[ChickenSwede]

had never seen Gabriel Landeskog play prior to this season (no CHL coverage over here), and I have to say I'm sincerely impressed with what I saw this season. playing 20+ mins, in crucial situations, checking, blocking shots, killing penalties, and leading the Avs in goals on top of this. he will undoubtedly grow to become one of the most solid two-way centres in this league for years to come. he's playing Well above his age already and is the most worthy calder winner of the three. not because we're both swedish, him and I, but for the reasons listed above. I'm not even an Avs fan, so absolutely no bias involved. just thoroughly impressed.

[Oak]

I gotta go with Landeskog. Matter of fact, I think I'll take some new Landeskoging pictures today.