The rookie of the year case for Islanders’ Michael Grabner

[inthebrain]

For months, the Calder Trophy race for rookie of the year has been between a gaggle of talented young goaltenders and two forwards: Logan Couture(notes) of the San Jose Sharks, who had been the rookie leader in goals, and Jeff Skinner(notes) of the Carolina Hurricanes, who has led all rookies in points for a good portion of the season.

With 11 points, eight of them goals, as of Jan. 3, Michael Grabner(notes) of the New York Islanders could barely see the starting line of that race. Since then, he's rallied for 37 points in 38 games and has scored 20 goals in 2011 to lead all rookies with 31 overall.

In one stretch, he had points in 15 of 18 games, and hasn't cooled much since then; last night against the Tampa Bay Lightning, he had his third consecutive 2-point game for the Islanders.

So yeah, he's in the race.

In fact, there's a case to be made right now that Grabner, with this three-month surge, has become a frontrunner for the Calder.

The rookie scoring leaders in the NHL as of this morning:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/The-rookie-of-the-year-case-for-Islanders-Micha?urn=nhl-wp898

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My take? Still think he's a long shot to win it. I also think the fact that he had some NHL experience before heading into this season kinda hurts his case. Still, the numbers he's put up are intriguing.

+17

31 goals

17 assists

And five short handed goals. Those five shorties are just as much as the total for 17 teams in this league.

He's put up great numbers but I gotta think the award goes to Skinner. Grabner may have a Pavel Bure like career ahead of him though.

[Upton]

1. I haven't seen much of those other guys..

but Logan Couture is second on the Sharks in goals, and leads the team in GW goals with 8....which is tied for third in the league behind Ovechkin's 10. None of the other rookies even come close in that department. He also leads the Sharks with a +15..

First half of the year, he virtually carried the Sharks at times. I can't imagine that he wouldn't be the Calder frontrunner if he played back East. As is, he may win it anyway..

[inthebrain]

2. More east coast bias crap

Get over it.

Couture is no where close to being the front runner in this conversation. Skinner and Grabner are having better seasons. Grabner has as many points as Couture and doesn't get the PP time. Furthermore, is averaging 3 minutes and 3 seconds less time on ice per game.

Grabner has one fewer SH goal than San Jose does as a team this season.

I've watched Skinner and Couture play. Skinner is a much better player than Couture who does benefit from having better talent around him. Grabner is matching Couture's production with less TOI and playing on the youngest team in the league.