Calder Trophy: Cale Makar or Quinn Hughes?

Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko were selected 1st and 2nd overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, respectively. They produced a fair amount of points, but they fell short of the expectations of top draft picks. Instead, Colorado Avalanche's Cale Makar and Vancouver Canucks' Quinn Hughes highlighted the rookie class and have reached superstardom. Who will win the Calder Memorial Trophy?
Q. Hughes and Makar not only highlight the rookie class, but have become household names in the league. Makar was the front-runner at the beginning of the season, but Hughes became a serious contender at the mid-point of the season. Both players have become the first rookie defencemen to reach 50 points in over 27 years. Imagine what they could have done in a full season?

Hughes lead all rookies with 8 goals, 45 assists, with a total of 53 points in 68 games. Makar had 12 goals, 38 assists, with a total of 50 points in 57 games. Makar trailed Hughes by just 3 points, but played 11 less games due to injury. Another noteworthy stat is +/-; but it shouldn't be held as gospel. Makar was a +14 while Hughes was a -10. Makar plays for a much stronger Avalanche team with a +46 goal differential, while the Canucks have only a +11 goal differential.

This will be one of the closest Calder Trophy races in recent history. A team has not had consecutive Calder Trophy winners since the Boston Bruins' Bobby Orr and Derek Sanderson in 1967-1968. If Hughes wins, he and teammate, 2019 Calder Trophy winner, Elias Pettersson, will join elite company. If Makar takes home the Calder Trophy, he will join the ranks of teammates Gabriel Landeskog and Nathan MacKinnon. He would also be the 3rd Avalanche player to win since 2012.


Who has your Calder vote? Makar or Hughes?

Photo: Rich Graessle / Icon Sportswire