Pucks of a Feather Midseason Awards Ballot: Calder Trophy
By Jason Byun
Jan 6, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Ottawa Senators left wing Mike Hoffman (68) celebrates his goal against the Philadelphia Flyers during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers defeated the Senators, 2-1 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Honorable Mention: Mike Hoffman
Didn’t expect this, huh? Mike Hoffman is not the first name expected when it comes to the rookie goal-scoring leader, but it’s true: he leads all NHL rookies with 16 goals scored. He’s second in +/- among rookies (+19) and fourth in points among rookies. Why Hoffman? After all, he’s not even his team’s highest-scoring rookie: that honor belongs to Mark Stone (26 points, while Hoffman has 25).
Stone has six power-play points. Every one of Hoffman’s points have come at even-strength. Power-play prowess is a great thing to have in the NHL, but 80-85% of the game is played at 5-on-5, where Hoffman has been tremendous. Hoffman also helps his two linemates, Mika Zibanejad and Bobby Ryan. Hoffman has the fifth-highest Corsi For % on the Senators at 5-on-5, at 52.3%. Zibanejad has a CF% of 46.8% apart from Hoffman, while Ryan has a CF% of 43.3%. With Hoffman, both of them are at 53.2%, meaning Hoffman helps control play and get pucks to those two players.
Hoffman’s 16 goals leads the Senators. He has more goals than Ryan or top-line fixtures in Kyle Turris and Clarke MacArthur. He’s a bit of a “late-bloomer”, but he’s had a terrific season. Jack Leiper, editor of Senshot, shows the path he’s taken from 2007 until now, where he will participate in the Skills Competition at the All-Star Game on Saturday.
Interesting, indeed. Unfortunately, the ballot was crowded, and after deliberation, I had to leave Hoffman off the five-man ballot. His lack of separation from his own teammate Stone had a bit to do with it. But the other rookies are also that good and impactful.
Next: Number 5: Rookie Goalie Making a Difference