Calder Trophy Power Rankings: How does anyone catch Pettersson?
In the fourth edition of theScore's Calder Trophy Power Rankings, four of the five players from the last edition remain the same, with one freshman returning to the list for the first time since November. You can read the previous installment here.
ATOI = Average time on ice
SCF% = Percentage of scoring chances generated while the player was on the ice at 5-on-5
HDCF% = Percentage of high-danger scoring chances generated while the player was on the ice at 5-on-5
Courtesy: Natural Stat Trick
5. Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Montreal Canadiens
| GP | G | A | P | ATOI | SCF% | HDCF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | 6 | 17 | 23 | 14:00 | 56.55% | 53.40% |
Kotkaniemi isn't lighting up the scoresheet with gaudy offensive production - he's recorded five points in 11 games so far in 2019 - but his hockey sense is on full display each and every time he's on the ice. Montreal's sheltered him well with 62 percent of his draws coming in the offensive zone, but the 18-year-old does a good job ensuring the puck stays in the attacking end and has shown all the traits of a top-six center for the Habs.
4. Brady Tkachuk, Ottawa Senators
| GP | G | A | P | ATOI | SCF% | HDCF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39 | 11 | 12 | 23 | 15:30 | 54.11% | 58.77% |
Tkachuk has hit a bit of a wall production-wise, but he and veteran Mark Stone flank Ottawa's best line on a nightly basis. The rookie ranks top-two among Senators in both SCF% and HDCF% alongside Stone, and it's hard to imagine a better two-way winger from whom Tkachuk could learn the ropes.
3. Miro Heiskanen, Dallas Stars
| GP | G | A | P | ATOI | SCF% | HDCF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49 | 9 | 11 | 20 | 23:06 | 49.67% | 52% |
Heiskanen continues to be the workhorse among rookie skaters, ranking first in ice time by a long shot at just over 23 minutes per contest. His passing and skating abilities gained some well-earned exposure over All-Star weekend, an event he's bound to attend for years to come.
2. Rasmus Dahlin, Buffalo Sabres
| GP | G | A | P | ATOI | SCF% | HDCF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48 | 5 | 21 | 26 | 20:43 | 48.95% | 45.94% |
Since our last running of this series, Dahlin has collected six points in eight games and exceeded his average ice time by nearly a full minute over that span. His skill set makes his game appear effortless even at the NHL level and he's just beginning to scratch the surface of his potential.
1. Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks
| GP | G | A | P | ATOI | SCF% | HDCF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 23 | 22 | 45 | 18:00 | 45.34% | 47.8% |
It's unfair to the others on this list, but Pettersson is practically cemented in the No. 1 spot. Despite two separate injury stints, the 20-year-old leads the rookie scoring race by 19 points and is fresh off his first All-Star nod. He's on pace for 79 points - should he stay healthy - and is well on track to claim Vancouver's first Calder Trophy since Pavel Bure swept the Canucks fan base off its feet with a 60-point debut season in 1991-92.