Editor In Leaf
Fansided

Toronto Maple Leafs: Michael Bunting and More Calder Trophy Candidates

By Mike Jack

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 16: Michael Bunting #58 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his 1st goal as a Maple Leaf against the Ottawa Senators during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on October 16, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Senators 3-1.(Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 16: Michael Bunting #58 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his 1st goal as a Maple Leaf against the Ottawa Senators during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on October 16, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Senators 3-1.(Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 7
Next
Moritz Seider
Sep 27, 2019; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider (53) and Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Rich Clune (39) . Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Moritz Seider – Detroit Red Wings Defenseman

Age: 20
Goals: 5
Points: 40
Games: 54
Draft: 1st Round (6th Overall) in 2019

If Moritz Seider and his Detroit Red Wings teammate, Lucas Raymond, are both named Calder trophy finalists, it would be the 24th time in NHL history that two teammates were both finalist for the award.

It’s not as uncommon as I would’ve thought. 10 of those instances were even after the original six era.  The 1964 Montreal Canadiens are the only team in NHL history to have three Calder finalists in the same year.

The last time teammates were Calder finalists was in 2014 when Ondrej Palat and Tyler Johnson from the Tampa Bay Lightning were both finalists.

Whenever a defenseman is in the NHL rookie scoring race, they have a good chance at winning the Calder and Moritz Seider is currently sitting fourth in the rookie points race but just three points out of the lead.

It seems like forwards are usually favoured for the Calder, but Cale Makar won it in 2020, Aaron Ekblad won in 2015 and Tyler Myers won in 2010.  Moritz Seider has a great chance at winning the Calder this season, because not only is he near the top of the rookie scoring ranks as a defenseman, he’s also a reliable defender trusted with a team high 22:58 in average ice time.

Moritz Seider is a huge, 6’4, defenseman who hits and is ranked 12th in the league with 107 blocks shots.  He is the full package.

If I was voting for the Calder trophy, Seider would be my second choice after Jeremy Swayman, but there’s another player that I think those with a vote are more likely to choose.

Home/Analysis