Calder Trophy Power Rankings: Hughes moves into top spot
In the fifth edition of theScore's Calder Trophy Power Rankings, we finally have a new No. 1, while a scorching-hot newcomer enters the top three thanks to a dominant start to his NHL career.
xGF%: Expected goals for percentage (five-on-five)
GSAA: Goals saved above average (all strengths)
HDSV%: High-danger save percentage (all strengths)
5. Victor Olofsson, Buffalo Sabres
| GP | G | A | ATOI | xGF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47 | 19 | 21 | 18:46 | 46.36 |
Olofsson returned this month from a lengthy injury absence and picked up right where he left off, posting three goals and two assists in five games. The 24-year-old sniper is tied for third among all rookies in points this season and has a good chance to be a Calder finalist if he maintains his offensive production down the stretch.
4. Nick Suzuki, Montreal Canadiens
| GP | G | A | ATOI | xGF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 64 | 13 | 27 | 15:54 | 52.53 |
Suzuki has come on strong, proving the Canadiens made a worthy gamble by acquiring him in 2018 for former captain Max Pacioretty. Since our last edition of the rookie rankings on Jan. 28, Suzuki leads all Canadiens skaters with 12 points in 13 games, and he's tied with Olofsson for third in the rookie scoring race.
Perhaps most impressively, Suzuki has managed to put up those numbers despite playing modest minutes. He ranks third among all rookies in points per 60 minutes at five-on-five with a rate of 1.53.
3. Igor Shesterkin, New York Rangers
| Record | GSAA | SV% | HDSV% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9-1 | 11.39 | .940 | .869 |
Shesterkin's emergence in the Big Apple looked as though it might completely turn around the Rangers' season before he suffered a rib injury in a car accident. New York had gone 8-2 in its last 10 thanks mostly to the young netminder, who's lived up to the hype as a premier goalie prospect during his initial stint in the NHL.
The 24-year-old hasn't played enough games to qualify among the league leaders, but his .940 save percentage is the top clip in the NHL this season. Additionally, his all-situations GSAA is higher than the likes of Andrei Vasilevskiy, Jordan Binnington, and Carey Price.
2. Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche
| GP | G | A | ATOI | xGF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53 | 12 | 33 | 20:55 | 52.83 |
Makar has fallen out of our top spot for the first time this season. He's certainly not out of the running to take home the hardware, but another star has shined a bit brighter in February.
The 21-year-old blue-liner is still having a remarkable season, as he's on pace for over 60 points while making a major impact on a team pushing for the top spot in the Western Conference. Makar is second in rookie scoring despite missing a solid chunk of games, and he could get hot again to retake the top spot.
1. Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks
| GP | G | A | ATOI | xGF% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 | 8 | 41 | 21:42 | 54.43 |
No rookie has been better of late than Hughes has. The Canucks phenom leads all first-year players in points and ice time, and has been red-hot the last month, registering 15 points in 11 games.
Hughes hasn't wrapped it up, but his recent play warranted his bump to the top spot. We're in for a wild race between Hughes and Makar over the final 20 games of the season.