Future Watch: Top Five Calder Trophy Candidate Hockey Cards – It’s that time of year where I get to identify some of the pre-season Calder Trophy candidates.

1> Igor Shesterkin is the New York Rangers #1 netminder who only appeared in 12 regular season games, so he’s eligible and ranking higher than a notable teammate. His .932 save percentage jumped off the page. He’s not an overnight success, having spent six years in the KHL. This Russian was well known before starting in the NHL. At 25, that’s when many goaltenders start having their best seasons. Shesterkin reads and reacts well, has a fantastic stick to clear the puck like an extra defenseman to start the puck the other way, and the athleticism jumps off the page.
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2> Alexis Lafreniere appears to be starting the season on the New York Rangers third line. With no idea how he will be used on the power play, he ends up in this spot. I do not doubt that this phenom can turn the third line into a productive scoring line, but he won’t be playing with the teams’ elite talent in the majority of his 5-on-5 situations. His vision is elite, and there are no worries about his skating. Lafreniere’s feistiness is underrated, and that helps him fend off the opposition. I can see him getting 45 or more points this season if the opportunity is there.
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3> Dylan Cozens will have a real chance to win the award and show off his stuff for Buffalo Sabres fans tuning into their broadcast. This talented forward may start the season on the wing, which will amplify his scoring chances down low and in key scoring areas where he can unleash his powerful wrist shot. If Cozens ends up on a line with Jeff Skinner, his speed will help him keep up, and his point totals should be there.
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4> Last season, Gabe Vilardi gave fans a window into why the Los Angeles Kings drafted him 11th overall in 2017. A bad back hampered him early but his seven points in ten games in 2019-20 got him noticed. At 6-3 and over 200 pounds, Vilardi is hard to cover, and he has a fast release on his one-timer. Now 21, this could be his time to shine, and it’s possible getting second-line minutes will get him the opportunity.
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5> Connor McMichael has had maximum quarantine after the World Junior Championship. McMichael has speed and the hockey I.Q. to play in the NHL now. If he’s an AHL or taxi squad player to start the season will matter. We should see him with the Washington Capitals in February.
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Bonus> Kirill Kaprizov could also win the Calder. The Russian winger plays for the Minnesota Wild and has incredible stats coming out of his time in the KHL (including 62 points in 57 games last season with CSKA Moscow) but doesn’t have any NHL certified cards, therefore, he’s not on this list.

Future Watch: Top Five Calder Trophy Candidate Hockey Cards – Image Gallery

Russ Cohen

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