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Ivan Demidov's surge reshapes the Calder Trophy race
By the end of December, Ivan Demidov has just caused a major shake-up in the Calder Trophy race.
After 39 games, the Canadiens rookie has posted 10 goals and 23 assists for 33 points. His plus/minus is +3, with 53 shots and a shooting percentage of 18.9%. He also has 20 penalty minutes, along with an average ice time of 14:58.
On Tuesday in Boston, he filled the scoresheet with a goal and an assist in a 6-2 victory. In yesterday's wild comeback win against the Panthers, he added an assist while logging 18:31 of ice time.
Nights like that get everyone back on the same page, because the numbers climb quickly. While the debate heats up, he just keeps piling up the points.
Ivan Demidov frontrunner for Calder trophy
Marc-Olivier Beaudoin raises an excellent point.
"Just a few weeks ago, many people were already handing the Calder Trophy to defenseman Matthew Schaefer.
And I agreed that he was the one who deserved it most at that time. But as the season moves along, the grind of the NHL seems to be catching up a bit with the 18-year-old defenseman who is averaging close to 24 minutes per game.
Based on their current pace, Demidov would finish the season with 69 points, while Schaefer would end up with 50. Which, let's be clear, is incredible for an 18-year-old rookie defenseman-not to mention everything else he does well.
Still, I can't help but wonder which of the two players would receive more votes if this trend continues.
To give you an idea, last season Lane Hutson won it with 66 points in 82 games as a defenseman, ahead of forward Macklin Celebrini, who produced 63 points in 70 games.
In short, the race will be tight right to the very end, contrary to what many were saying "a race already over in Schaefer's favor."
And let's not forget Beckett Sennecke and Jesper Wallstedt, who are also having excellent rookie seasons!
- Marc-Olivier Beaudoin
And I agreed that he was the one who deserved it most at that time. But as the season moves along, the grind of the NHL seems to be catching up a bit with the 18-year-old defenseman who is averaging close to 24 minutes per game.
Based on their current pace, Demidov would finish the season with 69 points, while Schaefer would end up with 50. Which, let's be clear, is incredible for an 18-year-old rookie defenseman-not to mention everything else he does well.
Still, I can't help but wonder which of the two players would receive more votes if this trend continues.
To give you an idea, last season Lane Hutson won it with 66 points in 82 games as a defenseman, ahead of forward Macklin Celebrini, who produced 63 points in 70 games.
In short, the race will be tight right to the very end, contrary to what many were saying "a race already over in Schaefer's favor."
And let's not forget Beckett Sennecke and Jesper Wallstedt, who are also having excellent rookie seasons!
- Marc-Olivier Beaudoin
Meanwhile, defenseman Matthew Schaefer is far from disappearing, but it's fair to say he has slowed down. In 40 games, he has 9 goals and 16 assists for 25 points, and he averages 23 minutes and 52 seconds of ice time per game.
For an 18-year-old rookie, that's massive, especially while logging that many minutes on a regular basis.
Finally, the season is moving quickly, but the race is far from over.
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DECEMBRE 31 | 362 ANSWERS Ivan Demidov's surge reshapes the Calder Trophy race Who deserves the Calder Trophy, Ivan Demidov or Matthew Schaefer? | ||