Matvei Michkov Is Making a Legit Case for The Calder Trophy

I wrote my last Calder update about a week ago, and man, it did not look like Matvei Michkov had a chance at winning the Calder Trophy. In fact, I was even questioning whether or not Michkov would even be a finalist for the trophy.

Boy, how things can change in a week.

Matvei Michkov has gone on an unbelievably hot stretch, beginning on March 22nd. The Flyers’ rookie has 11 points in his last six games, tallying four goals and seven assists. All 11 of those points have come at even strength.

Read More: Calder Trophy Watch: An Update on Michkov’s Chances

Michkov Compared to the Other Rookies

He now has 58 points, just one point shy of Lane Hutson (59) and five more than Macklin Celebrini (53). Michkov is the rookie leader in goals (24) and the leader for all rookie forwards in assists (34)–he only trails Hutson (54) in assists.

Michkov is tied with Celebrini for the lead in rookie power-play goals with seven, and is third in rookie power-play assists with eight. He leads all rookies in overtime goals with three and is sixth in game-winning goals with three.

As for even-strength points, Michkov has 43, which is nine more than Hutson, who is next on the list with 34. Celebrini follows with 33.

When it comes to rookies with 100+ shots this season, Michkov has the second-best shot-percentage, 13.3% (181 shots), trailing Zack Bolduc, who is shooting 15.4% (104 shots).

Dustin Wolf, the Flames’ rookie goaltender, has certainly cooled off since the last update. Over his last six starts, he is 2-3-1 with a .867 save percentage and a 3.68 goals-allowed average. At one point, he was my favorite to win, but it seems as if he has played himself out of the running.

What Does Michkov Have to Do to Win?

The unfortunate truth is that Michkov is stacked up against more marketable players. The NHL is looking for a future face of the league, and even if he is the best player, Michkov won’t be. However, a Canadian star like Macklin Celebrini is extremely marketable–so is a rising star on the Canadiens, a very historic club, like Lane Hutson.

Even if Michkov finishes the season with better numbers than Hutson or Celebrini, he will have to SMASH their numbers for a chance to win. I am talking about finishing the year with six or seven more goals than Celebrini. He may need to end up somewhere around six or seven more total points the Hutson.

If Matvei Michkov wants to win the Calder Trophy, he is going to have to take all the debate out of it. It’s unfortunate, but it is true.

However, I don’t think it’s impossible. With six games remaining, and the recent tear that Michkov has been on, it is totally possible. The points may be a stretch–you have to remember that Hutson is a damn good player. So is Celebrini, but it seems like the award is Hutson’s to lose.

Ideally, Michkov would need five goals in his final six games, and likely a handful of assists as well. The hardest hoop to jump through: he needs Hutson and Celebrini to slow down, too.

Read More: PhHN Daily: Flyers Pick Watch, Michkov’s Heater, & Around the NHN Network

Regardless, Michkov is Making a Legit Case and Should be Seriously Considered for the Calder Trophy

The one thing that you can say about this year’s Calder Race is that there are three VERY deserving players, maybe even four. Most years, it’s either a clear runaway or maybe two players. Rarely is it ever a close race between three players, let alone four if you count Wolf.

This year, you have a rookie defenseman with 50+ assists, a young center who is putting up great numbers with a really bad supporting cast (and is just 18 years old), and a player who looks like he is in a video game, who is becoming a points machine. Again, there is also a rookie goalie who is helping his team fight for a playoff spot.

It is a tight race, and each candidate has a legitimate argument as to why they should win.

However, it is CRIMINAL how little Matvei Michkov is being talked about regarding this race. For the longest time, Celebrini had more on-ice time than Michkov despite playing 13 fewer games (Michkov now leads). Their stats are still comparable.

Lane Hutson has nine fewer even-strength points than Michkov. Yet, Michkov is the player who is viewed as a power-play merchant?

Again, I am not saying either of the two players mentioned is not deserving of the award. But Michkov needs more love in the Calder conversation.

Especially since the last update, Michkov is certainly making a legitimate case to win the Calder Trophy. Maybe that will get his name back into the center of the conversation.

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