Is The Calder Trophy Gabriel Landeskog’s To Lose?

Published: 3rd Mar 12 12:05 am
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by Randy Holt
Randy Holt
Is The Calder Trophy Gabriel Landeskog’s To Lose?
Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

Early on in the season, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins looked like a runaway in the Calder Trophy race. The no. 1 overall pick in the 2011 draft got off to an electrifying start, as did his team.

The Oilers faded quickly, and Nuge has missed quite a bit of time with various injuries. This has allowed the field to catch back up with him. But in the Calder Race, there still remains a standout.

Just one selection behind Nugent-Hopkins was Gabriel Landeskog, who was selected by the Colorado Avalanche. Landeskog has been a steady presence in an unsteady Colorado lineup all year, and has been a key part of the Avs climbing back into the playoff picture in the Western Conference.

Though he’s just 18, Landeskog has been a key piece of the Avalanche, who have certainly had their ups and downs this season. As a rookie, he’s standing out as quite possibly the best overall player of any of the first year guys in the NHL. And he’s going to get better.

Colorado uses Landeskog in every situation possible. He’s on the ice at full strength, on the power play, and on the penalty kill, playing in pretty much any situation throughout a game. He’s playing over 18 minutes a game, which is the most among rookies in the NHL.

His 40 points are second among rookies, but he leads in shots, plus/minus, hits, takeaways, and goals, with 18. Even now, he’s emerging into an all-around player, with impressive size. In his first year, he’s listed at 6’1″ and a touch over 200, which means he’s going to get bigger and even more difficult to play against as he gets older.

It’s not necessarily a runaway race, but Landeskog is standing above all other rookies at this point in the season for the Calder Trophy. He might not be a center like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, or have as many points as Adam Henrique, but it’s the fact that he’s such a key part of what the Avs have going right now that separates him from the pack.

If he continues to improve and get stronger, as both are expected, Landeskog has a chance to be one of the more dominating power forwards in the league. If the Avalanche hope to overcome their struggles this season and reach the playoffs, Landeskog is going to be a key piece.

He’s been up to every challenge he’s had yet. He’s a player in every aspect of the game, and has succeeded everywhere they’ve put him on the ice. While there are certainly other worthy candidates out there, the Calder Trophy has to be considered Landeskog’s to lose at this point.

 

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