Looking at the top Calder candidates half way through the season. There are several rookies who have closed the gap on Cale Makar. Has anyone passed him?
On Oct. 18, 2019, we examined this season's early notable NHL rookie players. Now past the halfway point in the schedule, it's worth revisiting how those youngsters are faring in their first full big-league campaigns.
Some, such as Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar and Buffalo Sabres winger Victor Olofsson, seem to be adjusting well to the NHL pace. Others, such as 2019 top picks Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers forward Kaapo Kakko, are finding the transition bumpier than expected.