Chris Kreider exploded into the NHL scene in the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He already set an NHL record for most goals scored by a player before playing a single regular-season game (5).

The Calder Memorial Trophy is an award given each year in the National Hockey League to the player selected as the most proficient in his rookie season.

After witnessing Chris Kreider’s impressive success in the 2012 post-season without ever playing a regular season game, it can easily be assumed he has a great chance to be in the running for next seasons Calder Trophy. Scoring five goals and two assists in the post season, racking a total of seven points is just plain remarkable. Coming out of Boston College and being thrown into the most intense situation, it is clear that Kreider handled himself rather well.

Kreider has the talent, the size and the focus to be a star on the New York Ranger’s team. He has proven to have the scoring capabilities and the focus to become next seasons Calder Memorial Trophy winner. With Marian Gaborik out with his shoulder injury, it is likely Kreider will pick up more playing time which in turn will give him extra time on the ice and a greater chance to be successful and rack up his numbers as well as his popularity in this league.

Last season he showed his dedication and commitment, and especially his maturity at only twenty-one years of age. The kid constantly signed autographs, paid great attention to his fans, and said all the right things during each and every interview. He also seems to have bulked up this past summer! He has defiantly gotten bigger—which will also help him this coming season. Standing at 6 foot 3 inches, and weighing in at approximately 230 pounds, this guy is an animal. It is rare someone with Kreider’s size has the speed that he infact has. He is a speed demon!

Chris Kreider

With all that said, there is still tough competition ahead; players such as Jonathan Huberdeau, Sven Baertschi, Mikael Granlund and Dougie Hamilton. Huberdeau, 19, who was picked up by the Florida Panthers, has impressive skating ability, and has the chance to play with skilled veterans. A veteran player can give a lot to a young teammate and contribute a great deal to their success. Sven Baertschi of the Calgary Flames has an incredible opportunity to help his team to better their scoring and maybe even become a top-six forward. He will more than likely be granted a sufficient amount of ice time and maybe even some power play time as well. Mikael Granlund of the Minnesota Wild is a goal scorer to say the least. He is confident, has a great deal of talent and knows what to do with the puck. He is also a very unselfish player so he could rack up those assists during each game. Finally, Dougie Hamilton of the Boston Bruins is also a rookie with the potential for the Calder Trophy. He is a high-goal scoring defenseman. High scoring defensemen are hard to come by, so if he plays his cards right, he might just have a good shot!

Kreider’s exposure last post-season proved he can play in a city like New York. New York is a tough place to play in and anyone who can prove themselves in a city like New York is a star. He kept up, worked hard and won over his teammates and his fans and it seems as if he even won Tortorella over; and that is not easy to do!