Jacob Trouba continuing to emerge as a Calder Trophy candidate

While any conversation about the NHL's rookie of the year generally trends towards the leading point scorer, 19-year old defenseman Jacob Trouba is making a strong case to garner serious consideration for the Calder Trophy this season.

Trouba made an immediate impact for the Winnipeg Jets in the season opener on Oct. 1, scoring one goal and adding one assist in over 25 minutes of ice time. He missed over a month of action due to a neck injury suffered in October, but has continued to impress as a key member of the Jets defensive corps.

In 40 games this season, Trouba has scored seven goals and added 14 assists, while averaging 21:44 of ice time per game. For what it's worth, he also has a plus/minus rating of +10, and, more importantly, is being used in a variety of situations.

Trouba leads all rookies with 2:50 of shorthanded ice time per game, and ranks tenth in power-play ice time among first-year defensemen with an average of 1:57 per game.

Here's a look at how Trouba has been deployed by the Jets this season, courtesy of Extra Skater.

Trouba has not been overly sheltered by being placed in favorable positions, and has been producing offensively while being used in primarily a defensive role, heightened by Dustin Byfuglien's recent move to forward.

A player like Nathan MacKinnon may immediately jump to mind when discussing the Calder Trophy, but Jacob Trouba definitely belongs in the conversation.