The National Hockey League (NHL) on Wednesday announced the names of the finalists for taking the Calder Trophy awarded to rookie of the year. They are Anaheim Ducks forward Trevor Zegras, Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider and Toronto Maple Leafs forward Michael Bunting.
Trevor Zegras has stood out several times this winter, especially with his Michigan-style goal against Montreal Canadiens goaltender Samuel Montembeault.
He finished second in scoring among the rookies with 23 goals and 38 assists. Zegras led in two categories with 19 multi-point games and 19 power-play goals.
Moritz Seider had seven goals and 43 assists, leading him in scoring among rookie defensemen this season in the NHL. In addition, he appeared in all 82 games for the Red Wings, and he led the rookie defensemen in playing time (1,889: 22) and average playing time per game (23:02).
Michael Bunting led the rookies with 23 goals and 40 assists, a performance that allowed him to finish third in Leafs rookie scoring history behind Auston Matthews (2016-17) and Peter Ihnacak (1982-83).
In addition, he could be the 11th player in Maple Leafs history to win the Calder Trophy, and second only since 1968, following Matthews in 2017.
At age 26, Michael Bunting is also one of the NHL’s oldest rookies.
The Arizona Coyotes selected him in the fourth round, 114th overall, of the 2014 draft, and he accepted the Maple Leafs ’contract offer in July 2021.
Source: Radio-Canada
