Calder Trophy Rankings: Hutson rises as race gets top-heavy

The Calder Trophy race is quite top-heavy three months into the season, as the top four guys on this list are starting to separate themselves from the rest of the class.

You'll see what we mean in a second. Let's get into it.

5. Maxim Tsyplakov, Islanders

Previous: N/A

Why not use the No. 5 spot, which is virtually decorative in this edition, to give an underdog his flowers?

Tsyplakov was an excellent find by New York. The Islanders signed him as an undrafted free agent out of the KHL in May, and he's adjusted admirably to his first taste of North American hockey: Tsyplakov ranks fourth among all rookies in points while representing an offensively stunted Isles team. He's tied for the second-most even-strength points (17) in the class despite logging less ice time than his peers. He also ranks third in hits (92) and second in takeaways (16).

The winger is a plus-8 on the season, which stands out given the Islanders' shoddy minus-20 goal differential.

It's worth mentioning that Tsyplakov is barely eligible for the Calder Trophy. To qualify for the award, a player must not have turned 26 by Sept. 15 of his rookie season. Tsyplakov celebrated his 26th birthday four days after the cutoff.

4. Dustin Wolf, Flames

Previous: 3

Wolf has had a bit of a rocky run, recording a sub-.900 save percentage in six of his last nine appearances. But hey, he's a rookie goaltender and lulls happen.

The 23-year-old has already shown an impressive ability to rebound after a bad game, which will serve him well as the Flames' goalie of the future. For instance, Wolf responded with a 32-save shutout of the Florida Panthers after getting lit up to the tune of six goals against the Dallas Stars in his previous start.

He's still splitting the crease with Dan Vladar, but Wolf has proven himself to be Calgary's superior option. The rookie ranks eighth among all netminders in goals saved above average (8.31) and 11th in goals saved above expected (9.91) at all strengths. He's also an offensive juggernaut, apparently, boasting three assists so far on the campaign.

Wolf will undoubtedly get some Calder Trophy love at the end of the season if he can keep his Flames in the playoff race.

3. Matvei Michkov, Flyers

Previous: 2

Michkov is officially experiencing the ebbs and flows of a full NHL season.

He enjoyed a sparkling run in early December in which he racked up 10 points in five contests. However, he followed that up with a seven-game pointless streak and was benched in the third period of last Saturday's victory over the Anaheim Ducks.

Flyers head coach John Tortorella surmised that the demands of an NHL schedule "kind of caught up with him." Michkov responded well, recording a goal and an assist in his next game, but he's now been held off the scoresheet in his last three outings.

Despite his growing pains, Michkov is still second in the rookie class in points and trails only the No. 1 guy on this list in the goals race. Adjusting to the NHL is no small feat but, luckily for the 20-year-old Russian, the Calder Trophy isn't handed out in January.

2. Lane Hutson, Canadiens

Previous: 5

There's a new rookie points leader in town, and he's a defenseman.

Hutson was outstanding in December, scoring his first two goals of the season as well as accruing 11 assists in 14 games en route to Rookie of the Month honors. That production also stacks up well against all rearguards, as his 13 points trail only Cale Makar, Zach Werenski, and Quinn Hughes for the most in the month.

Montreal has also been on fire as of late, picking up five wins in its last six games following the holiday break. Unsurprisingly, Hutson has been key to his team's success. The Habs have dictated 62.8% of the expected goals and 59.4% of the shot attempts while outscoring opponents 9-2 with him on the ice at five-on-five over this stretch.

A Canadiens player hasn't won the Calder Trophy since 1972. Though Hutson has some tough competition to end that drought, he already owns a piece of franchise history after becoming the fastest rearguard to reach 30 points, beating the previous mark set by Chris Chelios in 45 games.

1. Macklin Celebrini, Sharks

Previous: 1

Celebrini might not care that much about the Calder Trophy race, but we do - and he's in the pole position right now.

Sure, he missed 12 games with a hip injury, but may we just remind everyone that Connor Bedard was sidelined for 14 contests and he still won the hardware last season.

With that caveat out of the way, let's look at the stats. Celebrini paces the rookie class in goals and even-strength production (nine goals, 20 points). He's also just two points off Hutson for the outright lead in that category despite playing in 10 fewer contests.

The 18-year-old boasts a particular consistency to his game that makes him fun to watch. He's only been held without a point five times over his last 19 appearances and has logged five multi-point outings over that span. If he stays hot, Celebrini could be the first rookie with a point-per-game campaign since Mathew Barzal in 2017-18.

Keep an eye on:

• Jackson Blake, Hurricanes
• Jakub Dobes, Canadiens
• Cutter Gauthier, Ducks
• Emil Heineman, Canadiens
• Will Smith, Sharks
• Logan Stankoven, Stars

(Analytics sources: Natural Stat Trick, Evolving-Hockey)