Trophy Tracker: Schaefer of Islanders top choice for Calder as rookie of year
Schaefer most recently became the youngest player (18 years, 70 days) in NHL history to score an overtime goal in the regular season, a one-timer from the right face-off circle at 2:06 in a 3-2 win at the Utah Mammoth on Nov. 14. Sidney Crosby (18 years, 101 days on Nov. 16, 2005) had been the youngest prior to Schaefer’s heroics.
He also became the third-youngest player in the past 80 years to score in consecutive games (Nov. 13-14), after Jordan Staal (two games, 2006-07, 18 years, 44 days) and Pierre Turgeon (two games, 1987-88, 18 years, 68 days). Schaefer, though, is the youngest defenseman in NHL history to achieve the feat.
New York has a 52.0 shot-attempts percentage at 5-on-5 and a 59.5 on-ice goals-for percentage at 5-on-5 when Schaefer is on the ice. He’s also averaging 3:31 of ice time on the Islanders’ top power-play unit, 1:16 of ice time on the first penalty killing unit and is tied for first in the NHL in penalties drawn (13).
Demidov is first among NHL rookies with 17 points (four goals, 13 assists) and is tied for third with six power-play points (one goal, five assists) in 21 games. He averages 14:30 of ice time.
“He’s a special talent, a special work ethic,” said Montreal defenseman Lane Hutson, who won the Calder last season. “To see what he does every day is really impressive. We’re very fortunate to have him.”
Sennecke is second among first-year skaters with 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) and is first with 14 even-strength points (six goals) while averaging 16:46 in 22 games for the Ducks.
Voting totals (points awarded on a 5-4-3-2-1 basis): Matthew Schaefer, New York Islanders, 80 points (16 first-place votes); Ivan Demidov, Montreal Canadiens, 57; Beckett Sennecke, Anaheim Ducks, 34; Alexander Nikishin, Carolina Hurricanes, 19; Jakub Dobes, Montreal Canadiens, 18; Zeev Buium, Minnesota Wild, 6; Artyom Levshunov, Chicago Blackhawks, 6; Jesper Wallstedt, Minnesota Wild, 6; Oliver Kapanen, Montreal Canadiens, 5; Arturs Silovs, Pittsburgh Penguins, 4; Matthew Wood, Nashville Predators, 3; Yaroslav Askarov, San Jose Sharks, 2
