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The Rangers have a Calder Trophy candidate

By Steve Paulus

Vitali Kravtsov #74 of the New York Rangers (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Vitali Kravtsov #74 of the New York Rangers (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Nils Lundkvist poses after being selected twenty-eighth overall by the New York Rangers
Nils Lundkvist poses after being selected twenty-eighth overall by the New York Rangers /

A vaunted rookie

Nils Lundkvist probably deserved to be on the short list of Calder Trophy candidates, but the fact that he may not even make the team due to the depth of the Rangers defense probably kept him off.  Coming off two outstanding seasons in the Swedish Hockey League, on any other team he would have to be considered.

On Pronman’s top under-23 list, Lundkvist was 50th, ahead of Newhook, Podkolzin and Robertston.   Moritz Seider was ranked seventh and was named the top defenseman in the SHL last season, while Lundkvist was named the best Swedish-born defenseman in the entire league.

Consider that Lundkvist had more goals and points in the SHL than Seider and while Seider had five assists in 10 games at the World Championships, Lundvist had five assists in only three games before getting injured.  Offensively, Lundkvist is the better player while Seider gets the nod for his defensive play.

Even if he makes the team, it’s doubtful that Lundkvist will get the minutes he needs to put up the kind of points that will give him consideration.  Behind Adam Fox and Jacob Trouba on the depth chart, he may not even see much power play time.

Other possibilities

There are a few rookies with a chance to make the big league roster.  Center Morgan Barron will be fighting for a job as a fourth line center with Justin Richards contending for that role as well.   Finnish forward Lauri Pajuniemi is a wild card.  He’s an accomplished scorer in Liiga, but has never played in North America.  Zac Jones and Braden Schneider are defensemen who will get a long look.

It’s unheard of for players like these to make it to the podium to claim the Trophy, but they could make it as finalists. Jason Robertson and Alex Nedeljkovic weren’t on anyone’s list last season, but they were in the top three. Dominik Kubalik was a surprise in 2020.  Artemi Panarin was on all of the lists prior to the 2015-16, but with Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel and Sam Bennett all making their debuts that season, he was always considered a wild card.

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