Caps rookie defenseman John Carlson didn’t need to be a finalist for the Calder Trophy to validate a strong rookie season. It just would have been a nice feather in his cap.
Awarded annually to the NHL’s top rookie as voted by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association, the Calder finalists instead are Michael Grabner (New York Islanders), Jeff Skinner (Carolina Hurricanes) and Logan Couture (San Jose Sharks).
All deserving candidates. But I voted for Carlson as a finalist for several reasons, not the least of which is the other team doesn’t actually score very often when he’s on the ice at even strength. Thanks, as always, to the web site Behind the Net for these stats:
Carlson ranked 24th among all NHL defensemen in goals against per 60 minutes of play (1.93). There were a few rookies ahead of him, including the Rangers’ Michael Sauer (1.55), but none with Carlson’s overall resume. He logged heavy minutes (22:38 per game) – most among all rookies regardless of position – and consistently played against top competition. His ranking vs. quality of competition faced (.056) was also 24th among all NHL defensemen – well beyond that of Skinner (-.016), though Couture faced other top players quite a bit (.010), too. All that for a team that allowed just 2.33 goals per game – fourth fewest in the NHL – yet didn’t rely on an elite goalie.
Carlson’s offensive stats were also good – seven goals and 30 assists. Fellow rookie defenseman P.K. Subban (Montreal Canadiens) produced more at that end of the ice (14 goals, 24 assists), but I still believe Carlson had the better overall season. Subban wasn’t near as good in his own end (2.57 goals against per 60) nor did he see the same level of competition (.021) as Carlson. In the end, though, I can’t quibble. It was an immensely talented rookie class. These guys will all be around for a while.
“I feel good about how I played during the year. I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t have liked to be on it,” Carlson said of the three finalists, who were announced Tuesday. “But it’s three great players so you can’t really go wrong with that decision.”
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