Here’s how this works. In this five piece series we’re going to reveal our three favourite picks plus a sleeper for each of the five fantasy relevant NHL Awards: Hart, Vezina, Calder, Norris, Rocket Richard. Each day of the week we’ll release our lists. Since this is our first post, we’ll start out with our favourite rookies who’ll be in the running for the Calder Trophy.

Side note: These predictions were put together before preseason hockey started. There may be other rookies who if they end up making the final NHL roster, would be ranked in this list.

5. Johnny Gaudreau, LW, Calgary Flames

Diminutive in stature at 5’8” but gigantic in talent, the former 2011 fourth round draft pick has done nothing but dominate at every stop. After averaging a ridiculous 1.47 points per game over his sensational three year collegiate career, Gaudreau capped off his junior season by averaging two points per game and running away with the Hobey Baker Award, given annually to the best player in Men’s Division I Hockey. Following the departure of Mike Cammalleri via free agency, opportunity knocks in Calgary’s top six for the talented youngster. Mason Raymond and Devin Setoguchi have been brought in to give Gaudreau some competition but neither of these guys is a major threat to Johnny Hockey’s role in Calgary’s top six forward group.

Final Thought: 73 GP, 17 G, 22 A, -18, 22 PIM Continue reading