Montreal Canadiens rookie Cole Caufield appears like a brand new man underneath then-interim head coach Martin St. Louis. Effectively, a minimum of a brand new model of the outdated Caufield, who took the NHL by relative shock, when he turned a key element on the group through the Habs’ 2021 run to the Stanley Cup Closing.
Caufield’s spectacular debut and finish to the 2020-21 common season paved the best way for a starring position within the playoffs, throughout which he scored 4 targets and 12 factors in 20 video games. In consequence, odds-makers had Caufield as the favourite to win the Calder Memorial Trophy and to interrupt a Canadiens drought that’s lasted since 1972, when goalie Ken Dryden took residence the award. The final consultant of the group to take action.
Alas, it was not meant to be. Caufield struggled underneath ex-head coach Dominique Ducharme, scoring only one objective (and eight factors) within the first 30 video games of 2021-22. After St. Louis took over, Caufield went on a veritable rampage, although, scoring 21 factors (11 targets) in simply 16 video games to truly pull again into the rookie scoring race.
In the long run, Caufield completed his rookie marketing campaign with 43 factors in 67 video games and was ninth in Calder Trophy voting. In doing so, he joined a reasonably first rate record of Canadiens who simply missed out on the Calder within the years after Dryden gained it, proves:
5. Carey Worth (2008)
There’s a level of revisionist historical past at work when many individuals look again on Carey Worth’s profession. He’ll undeniably go down in historical past as one of many greatest Canadiens goalies ever (Dryden himself amongst them as nicely). Profitable the most video games in franchise historical past will do this.
Nevertheless, many overlook he solely turned a constant drive circa the 2014 Winter Olympic Video games. The key phrase there’s “constant,” although. He nonetheless had stretches of brilliance, together with over the course of his rookie 2007-08 marketing campaign, when he completed with a 24-12-3 file, 2.56 goals-against common (GAA) and .920 save proportion (SV%). For good measure, he added a playoff collection victory over the Boston Bruins.
In different seasons, it might need been sufficient to win the Calder, however not when Worth was competing with the likes of Patrick Kane, Nicklas Backstrom and Jonathan Toews. Wanting again on the gamers who received 2008 Calder votes that season (together with Worth’s teammate Sergei Kostitsyn), there have been clearly 4 names who stood out above the remainder of the pack. Worth completed fourth of the bunch, perhaps justifiably.
4. Kjell Dahlin (1986)
Kjell Dahlin might not be a reputation many Habs followers are aware of, as he solely performed three seasons with the group. Nevertheless, they in all probability ought to commit his exploits to reminiscence.
Not solely did Dahlin end third in Calder voting in 1986 (Calgary Flames’ Gary Suter, Leafs’ Wendel Clark), however he led rookies in scoring that season. True, his 32 targets trailed Clark’s 34, however they’re a modern-era Canadiens rookie file. Dahlin’s 71 factors in the meantime tied fellow Swede Mats Naslund for the general group file.
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Finally, Dahlin admittedly failed to depart a long-lasting impression on the group past what he achieved in that rookie season, which can depart some followers feeling shortchanged. Teammate Patrick Roy, who completed tied for fifth in voting, in all probability greater than made up for the distinction.
3. Chris Chelios (1985)
Defenseman Chris Chelios scored 64 factors his rookie season, which might be spectacular for a ahead. Nevertheless, he had the unimaginable misfortune of competing in opposition to a participant by the identify of Mario Lemieux, whose 100-point marketing campaign was greater than sufficient to make him le meilleur in Calder voting that season.
Technically talking, goalie Steve Penney ought to have made this record, ending third simply behind Chelios. Contemplating Worth completed fourth in 2008, it in precept ought to have been sufficient for Penney to overthrow him for the final spot. Nevertheless, there are considerably extenuating circumstances.
It’s not (simply) that Penney ended up incomes a fame of a one-season marvel, whereas Worth clearly went on to get pleasure from far higher success. It’s additionally that Lemieux and Chelios dominated to such an extent that season that together with Penney would nearly take away from Chelios’ inclusion. Plus, Penney earned simply 10.16% of complete vote factors. Regardless of ending fourth in 2008, Worth earned 34.66%. So, he was technically nearer to capturing the Calder anyway.
2. Brendan Gallagher (2013)
The lockout-shortened 2012-13 season produced two nice rookie campaigns on the a part of the Canadiens. Brendan Gallagher and Alex Galchenyuk completed inside one level of each other in scoring, however Gallagher captured extra hearts of voters, via his hard-nosed type of play (which, over time, hasn’t endeared himself to referees to just about the identical extent).Â
In any case, Gallagher’s 15 targets to Galchenyuk’s 9 additionally had one thing to do with the previous ending second in Calder voting (in comparison with ninth for the latter). Finally, voters went for Florida Panthers rookie Jonathan Huberdeau’s ability over Gallagher’s grit, which has in all probability been justified over time primarily based on their respective profession trajectories.
Gallagher will all the time be a fan favourite, however, given the selection between him and Huberdeau, it’s no contest. Habs followers would select their native son 10 instances out of 10, and never simply due to the final identify. Huberdeau’s turn into more and more prolific, whereas Gallagher, perhaps due to his enjoying type, has seen his stats decline dramatically. In Gallagher’s prime, although? It will be a lot tougher to name.
1. Michael Ryder (2004)
Michael Ryder could not have put collectively the most effective rookie season in Canadiens historical past, however it was undeniably strong. Extra to the purpose, it was the closest any Habs rookie has come to capturing the Calder since Dryden did in 1972.
In a five-way battle between relative late-bloomers, Ryder’s 25-goal, 63-point marketing campaign positioned second. He beat out the likes of Trent Hunter, John-Michael Liles and Ryan Malone, every of whom had been 23 years outdated firstly of the marketing campaign.
Ditto for Bruins goalie Andrew Raycroft, who captured the Calder on the power of a 29-18-9 season, throughout which he posted a 2.05 GAA and .926 SV%. Raycroft clearly stumbled from there on out, with the Bruins (coincidentally headed up by Canadiens government vice chairman of hockey operations Jeff Gorton on the time) ultimately buying and selling him to the Leafs for Tuukka Rask.
Associated: The Rise & Fall of Andrew Raycroft
For a time, Ryder turned a reasonably dependable offensive drive for the Habs. He adopted up his spectacular rookie season with two straight 30-goal campaigns, however ultimately joined the Bruins himself as a free agent.
Ryder loved flashes of his early-career success right here and there, most notably from the attitude of Canadiens followers through the 2012-13 season (see Brendan Gallagher above), when he rejoined the group through the Dallas Stars. In 27 regular-season video games with the Habs that season, Ryder rediscovered his rookie scoring contact with 10 targets and 11 assists.
Ryder sadly fell pretty silent through the group’s five-game playoff run that spring, however it was nonetheless a pleasant journey down the reminiscence lane. Fleeting however good. Primarily based on his latest manufacturing, it’s in all probability everybody’s hope Caufield lasts some time longer in a Habs uniform.
