Calderon
Registered User
- Mar 24, 2006
- 1,177
- 787
Who are the greatest rookie duos (or, better yet, trios) that started their NHL careers in the same franchise? Let's have Calder eligibility as a prerequisite for the purpose of this topic. What I'm aming at is making noise in their defining rookie season coupled with high career value.
Some duos that come to mind:
Forgive me for the clear emphasis on forwards. I'm also aware the NHL existed before the 1980's, this is just to kick things off.
I suppose you can go by "best" instead of greatest if you feel like. That'd probably lift players like the Stastny brothers while holding back some players who didn't peak as high (eg. Jordan Staal).
Edit: I want to clarify that by Calder eligibility I was thinking about games played, not an unfair eligibility omission (at least in hindsight) á la Gretzky (I think Gretzky definitely deserved a Calder). However, I was wrong about the criteria, thinking it was nine games instead of 25 (nine games being the upper limit regarding burning a year off an entry-level contract).
Some duos that come to mind:
- 1979-80: Wayne Gretzky and Kevin Lowe for Edmonton: Hart winner and a solid rookie D-man; GOAT and a HHOFer.
- 1980-81: Peter and Anton Stastny for Quebec: both top2 in rookie scoring and 1st/10th in Calder voting; Peter in HHOF, Anton's career cut short. It's a bit iffy as Peter was 24 as a rookie. How did Anton finish only 10th for Calder Trophy?
- 1980-81: Anderson, Coffey and Kurri for Edmonton: all solid contributors, somehow Kurri was completely ignored in Calder voting even though he amassed 75 points in 75 GP; all HHOFers.
- 1992-93: Selänne and Zhamnov for Winnipeg: the GOAT rookie (though Gretzky wins if we ignore the weird non-eligibility) and and a 72-point effort; a well-deserved HHOFer and a respectable career, respectively.
- 2000-01: Daniel and Henrik Sedin for Vancouver: 8th and 13th in rookie scoring; both members of HHOF.
- 2006-07: Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal for Pittsburgh: Calder winner and a dependable #3C; HHOF bound Eurostar and a respected two way center.
- 2007-08: Kane and Toews for Chicago: 1st and 3rd in rookie scoring as well as Calder voting, respectively; both HHOF bound.
- 2016-17: Matthews, Marner, Nylander for Toronto: 1st, 4th and 3rd in rookie scoring; Matthews already HHOF bound, the two others also building solid careers.
Forgive me for the clear emphasis on forwards. I'm also aware the NHL existed before the 1980's, this is just to kick things off.
I suppose you can go by "best" instead of greatest if you feel like. That'd probably lift players like the Stastny brothers while holding back some players who didn't peak as high (eg. Jordan Staal).
Edit: I want to clarify that by Calder eligibility I was thinking about games played, not an unfair eligibility omission (at least in hindsight) á la Gretzky (I think Gretzky definitely deserved a Calder). However, I was wrong about the criteria, thinking it was nine games instead of 25 (nine games being the upper limit regarding burning a year off an entry-level contract).
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