2016 NHL Award Predictions: Looking At The Hopefuls

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Jan 5, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Artemi Panarin (72) looks on at the face-off circle against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Blackhawks won 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

When the season started, most analysts would have pegged phenoms Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel as the favorites to take home the Calder trophy.

Maybe some people got brash and took Coyotes forward Max Domi, but no one, and I mean no one had selected Blackhawks forward Artemi Panarin as their Calder favorite.

“The Bread Man”, as the Chicago faithful call him, has certainly made a mark for himself through the first half of his rookie season.

Through 45 games, Panarin has posted 15 goals and 39 points. Aside from Patrick Kane, he’s been a big reason why the Blackhawks haven’t skipped a beat after winning the Stanley Cup at the end of last spring’s playoffs.

While this race is much closer than some of the others, with both Max Domi and Dylan Larkin putting together fantastic themselves.

And although there’s still a lot of hockey to be played, if the regular season ended today, there’s no doubt that the ‘Bread Man’ would be the recipient of the NHL’s top rookie.

Contenders: Max Domi, Dylan Larkin

Next: President's Trophy

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