Kaprizov, Nedeljkovic, Robertson named Calder Trophy finalists

Minnesota Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov, Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic, and Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson have been voted as the NHL's 2021 rookie of the year finalists for the Calder Trophy, the league announced Thursday.

Kaprizov dazzled in his long-awaited NHL arrival. The 24-year-old played five seasons in the KHL after the Wild drafted him in 2015, and he paced all freshmen with 51 points through 55 games in his debut season in North America. Kaprizov was instrumental in leading Minnesota to the playoffs.

Nedeljkovic took over the Hurricanes' crease in his first full NHL campaign, going 15-5-3 while leading all netminders in save percentage (.932) and goals against average (1.90). Nedeljkovic also registered three shutouts and ranked fifth in the NHL with 16 goals saved above average.

Robertson burst onto the scene for a veteran Dallas squad and was second in team scoring with 45 points in 51 contests. The 21-year-old managed to put up impressive numbers despite ranking 11th among Stars skaters in average ice time.