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The Toronto Maple Leafs have a rookie of the yr candidate, and his title isn’t Matthew Knies.
At the start of the 2023-24 season, there was hypothesis as as to if or not the Maple Leafs’ rookie can be preventing for the Calder Trophy as the NHL Rookie of the Year. Knies burst onto the scene final season after ending his collegiate profession – he joined the group and didn’t miss a beat.
Knies earned a spot on the roster for the postseason and carried out very properly earlier than struggling a concussion when he was wrestled to the ice within the group’s second-round collection towards the Florida Panthers. However, earlier than that, he had proven that he belonged within the NHL, scoring a aim and three assists in seven postseason video games.
Connor Bedard Seems the Favorite for the Calder Trophy
It is extensively anticipated that Chicago Blackhawks sensation Connor Bedard will win the Calder this season. However, that doesn’t imply that different rookies won’t be within the competitors. More than two weeks into the season, we had been questioning how the rookies stacked up and noticed one thing that shocked us.
Related: “Welcome to the NHL, Kid.” Fleury Dumps Bedard During Shootout
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Including the video games performed Saturday night time, the factors chief amongst rookies is Ridley Greig of the Ottawa Senators with seven in eight video games. The Philadelphia Flyers’ Bobby Brink is second with six factors in seven video games. Bedard was in a four-way tie with the Boston Bruins’ Matthews Poitras, Nashville Predators’ Luke Evangelista, and Arizona Coyotes’ Logan Cooley. Knies is tied with a group of 4 different rookies with 4 factors.
The Case for Woll as a Calder Candidate
However, while you add goalies to the Calder Trophy combine, Joseph Woll pops to the highest of three of the 4 classes listed by the NHL. Woll leads all rookies in goals-against common (GAA) with a 1.33. He’s additionally first in save proportion at 0.961, and he’s first in wins with three. The solely factor he didn’t rank in was shutouts. The solely rookie goalie with a shutout was the St. Louis Blues’ Joel Hofer.
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Goalies are all the time lengthy pictures to win the Calder – solely eight goalies have received the Trophy since 1970. That’s eight goalies in 53 years, and since 2000, solely three goalies have received the award: Evgeni Nabokov in 2001, Andrew Raycroft in 2004, and Steve Mason in 2009. It has been 14 seasons since a goalie hoisted the Calder.
Woll’s Recent Play Puts Him within the Calder Mix
Woll’s current performances have been excellent. He’s not solely caught the eye of Maple Leafs followers however has additionally raised his profile. Against the Dallas Stars on Oct. 26, Woll stopped 31 of 32 pictures, serving to his group carry away a 4-1 victory.
Related: Joseph Woll is Maple Leafs’ Clear Choice for No. 1 Goaltender
The Stars’ sport marked his third straight strong efficiency, and it’s turning into clear that he’s on the cusp of claiming the beginning function in Toronto. In 4 video games this season, Woll has allowed 5 objectives on 128 pictures, which reveals each reliability and consistency, particularly in comparison with his teammate Ilya Samsonov’s struggles.
The competitors for the beginning job is getting tighter, and Woll’s sturdy exhibiting ought to place him as the Maple Leafs’ strongest Calder Trophy contender in current reminiscence.
Woll additionally not too long ago out-goalied the Washington Capitals, making 36 saves in one other 4-1 victory. His demeanor is calm, and he retains himself collectively, even in high-pressure conditions. He’s even drawn comparisons to the legendary Carey Price.
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With every sturdy exhibiting, Woll is solidifying his case as a main candidate for the Calder, and as he continues to carry out at a excessive degree, his prospects for claiming the beginning goaltender function for the Maple Leafs develop.
The Bottom Line
Woll may not win the Calder. It will take a large season – particularly for a goalie – to perform it. If, and that is a massive if, he can maintain performing on the degree he’s presently enjoying, it’s not out of the realm of chance.
[Note: I want to thank long-time Maple Leafs fan Stan Smith for collaborating with me on this post. Stan’s Facebook profile can be found here.]
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