The 1991 Calder Race
Why not go to primary sources instead of trying to read the voters' minds?
PRESEASON HYPE
Lidstrom and Bure were both part of the big story of 1991, which was the sudden surge in European talent. Both were seen as blue-chip acquisitions. Bure was stuck in contract limbo during a protracted dispute over whether he would be allowed to leave Russia, and did not play in the Canada Cup. Lidstrom starred in leading Sweden to the World Championship and, as more of a sure thing contract-wise, benefitted from a decent amount of positive attention compared to Bure. The Wings were expected to be a good team, Vancouver was expected to be near the middle or cellar of their division.
USA Today 9/5/1991 said:
On defense, the Wings will add a minimum of two new players - Swede Niklas Lidstrom and Soviet Vladimir Konstantinov. Lidstrom is a skilled defenseman, who could rival the speed of Calgary's Al MacInnis. It's possible Lidstrom will have difficulty adjusting to the 80-game NHL schedule and its more physical play, but Murray is hoping the Swede's talent will make up for any problems.
"In the World Championships, Niklas left a very good impression with me," Murray said. "He's shown he plays very well, especially in big games.
"The question is the 80-game grind. Strength is a major factor. Niklas is tall, but slim. But he can sure shoot the puck."
Konstantinov would be more likely to be the player on the blue line to get Lidstrom the puck, since he is considered more of a defensive defenseman.
Newsday 10/1/1991 said:
Rookie Ds Vladimir Konstantinov and Niklas Lidstrom could be Calder candidates.
Chicago Sun-Times 10/2/1991 said:
Soviet defector Pavel Bure , who played with Sergei Fedorov and Alexander Mogilny in for the Soviet national team, could be a big addition if his contractual release is arranged.
The Buffalo News 10/3/1991 said:
[preseason team previews article]
A bright spot to watch is newly signed defenseman Niklas Lidstrom , who was a star for Team Sweden in the World Championships last year.
The Boston Herald 10/18/1991 said:
The local papers have been pessimistic about the Canucks' ability to sign Bure should he win his court case. If he doesn't sign within 15 days of winning, he could become a free agent. But Burke said the Canucks had no intention of letting the 20-year-old left winger get away.
"He's better at the same stage than (Sergei) Fedorov was," said Burke, referring to the Red Wings' forward. "He is fast, I mean blinding speed, and he's strong for a guy who's not too big.
EARLY REVIEWS
Lidstrom jumped out to an early lead in the Calder race at a time of year when few rookies are really being talked about. The Canucks were the surprise team of the league early on, and Bure joined the team on November 5th.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram 11/1/1991 said:
Pavel Bure , one of the brightest prospects to come out of Soviet junior hockey, agreed to a multi-year contract yesterday with the Vancouver Canucks.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said:
11/6/1991
Soviet rookie Pavel Bure , 20, failed to score in his debut with Vancouver, but he didn't disappoint the home crowd.
Bure , 20, signed to a four-year, $2.7 million contract last week, made several spectacular rink-length dashes, only to be denied by Winnipeg goalie Rick Tabaracci.
"He did some exciting things," said Brian Burke, Canucks vice president of hockey operations. "You can't teach what he's got."
"I thought he gave a pretty good accounting of himself," Canucks assistant coach Rick Ley said. "He certainly had the fans out of their seats."
His speed and puck-handling ability drew admiring gasps from the crowd.
"He's right up there in skating ability with the best in the league," said Vancouver defenseman Robert Dirk, who scored the game-tying goal with 8:25 remaining in the third period. "He kicks it up to another gear. When he does that, he makes a defenseman look like a turnstile. Only a couple of guys in the league can do that."
USA Today 11/15/1991 said:
Detroit Red Wings: The Wings are surging. Paul Ysebaert, Jimmy Carson, Nicklas Lidstrom , Brad McCrimmon and Tim Cheveldae have been keys. Now the team needs Steve Yzerman, Sergei Fedorov, Gerard Gallant, Yves Racine and Vincent Riendeau to come through in the second quarter.
The Philadelphia Inquirer 11/24/1991 said:
The four Sabres face stiff competition for the Calder Trophy from Niklas Lidstrom of the Detroit Red Wings, Tony Amonte and Doug Weight of the New York Rangers and Kevin Todd of the New Jersey Devils.
Numbers through the end of November:
Lidstrom
Date | Opp | G | A | PTS | +/-
10/3/1991 | CHI | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2
10/5/1991 | TOR | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1
10/10/1991 | MTL | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
10/12/1991 | MNS | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
10/15/1991 | EDM | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
10/17/1991 | STL | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2
10/19/1991 | QUE | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1
10/23/1991 | WIN | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1
10/25/1991 | TOR | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
10/26/1991 | TOR | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
10/28/1991 | LAK | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1
10/30/1991 | BUF | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
11/1/1991 | HAR | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1
11/2/1991 | BOS | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
11/5/1991 | MNS | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1
11/7/1991 | STL | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6
11/8/1991 | WSH | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
11/10/1991 | STL | 0 | 2 | 2 | -1
11/12/1991 | CGY | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0
11/14/1991 | SJS | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
11/16/1991 | LAK | 0 | 3 | 3 | 1
11/19/1991 | CHI | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1
11/22/1991 | MNS | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
11/23/1991 | MNS | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1
11/25/1991 | WSH | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3
11/30/1991 | STL | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1
TOTAL
|
26
|
4
|
20
|
24
| 20
Bure
Date | Opp | G | A | PTS | +/-
11/5/1991 | WIN | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
11/7/1991 | LAK | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1
11/10/1991 | NYI | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1
11/12/1991 | LAK | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2
11/14/1991 | CGY | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0
11/16/1991 | SJS | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
11/19/1991 | NYR | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
11/21/1991 | CGY | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
11/22/1991 | CGY | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1
11/26/1991 | SJS | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1
11/29/1991 | CHI | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
TOTAL
|
11
|
4
|
1
|
5
|
0
MIDSEASON REVIEWS
By midseason, Lidstrom was well in the Calder lead as the rookie scoring leader while the Wings went on a 19-3-2 tear at one point. Tony Amonte and Donald Audette were in the conversation, but virtually every source had Lidstrom winning the Calder in their midseason predictions. Bure had just begun to make some noise, with the Canucks very unexpectedly leading their division, but stayed under the radar and didn't really find his pace until mid-February. Note the anonymous coach below, who expressed doubts about whether Lidstrom would continue his high level of production in the 4th quarter of the season.
The Philadelphia Inquirer 12/15/1991 said:
Since 1980, only two defensemen have won the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie. Niklas Lidstrom of the Detroit Red Wings is making a good run at becoming the third.
The Swedish defenseman, selected by the Red Wings in the third round of the 1989 draft, had two goals and 12 assists in 20 games with Vasteras in the Swedish Elite League last season. He also led Sweden to the World Hockey Championship title in May.
The switch to the NHL has broken more than a few promising Europeans, but not Lidstrom .
" Lidstrom is one of the main reasons that Detroit is so improved," said Pierre Page, the coach of the Quebec Nordiques. "Hockey has changed, and now you need mobility on defense. That's what Lidstrom and Vladimir Konstantinov give them."
Lidstrom has done more than just give the Red Wings another shifty defenseman. After Thursday's 4-1 victory over Quebec, the 6-foot-2, 180- pounder led all rookies with 29 points, on five goals and 24 assists. And with a plus-25, he was the only rookie among the leaders in the plus-minus ratings.
Lidstrom may be just 21, but he's already talking like a veteran. He is as excited as any of his teammates about the Wings' nine-game winning streak at home, but he also is realistic about the Red Wings' recent success.
"This is only the 31st game of the season," Lidstrom said. "We can't worry about who is the best team right now, because we have a long time left to go."
Washington Post 12/31/1991 said:
Calder Trophy (rookie of the year): Detroit defenseman Niklas Lidstrom is part of the reason Bryan Murray looks so smart this season. Murray has been looking for an offensive defenseman for the power play since he got to Detroit. Lidstrom leads all rookies, even forwards, in points with 34 (6-28).
Miami Herald 1/5/1992 said:
* Calder Trophy (top rookie): Niklas Lidstrom , Red Wings. The 21-year-old Swedish defenseman has taken over the point for Norris-leading Detroit and leads all rookies with 35 points.
...
"I think they're going through a very positive hot phase in a very long season. I'm still skeptical of the European players (Sergei Fedorov, Niklas Lidstrom , Vladimir Konstantinov) who are unaccustomed to an 80-game grind. Around Game 60, watch them begin to play pretty ordinary. That's when the true mettle of the Red Wings will show. Then you'll see if the Steve Yzermans and Gerard Gallants, the good veterans, are able to carry the team." [anonymous NHL coach speaking]
The Buffalo News 1/7/1992 said:
Actually, Audette could have 41 games left in his season if Muckler consents to let him play against Philadelphia. And, at the frantic rate Audette has scored goals, that leaves him plenty of time to make another strong run at the Calder . His main competitors appear to be Detroit defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom (six goals, 36 points, plus-26) and New York Ranger right wing Tony Amonte (15 goals, 30 points).
St. Louis Post-Dispatch 1/8/1992 said:
Rookie Of The Year: Red Wings defenseman Niklas Lidstrom already has locked up the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie. Steady defensively and creative offensively, Lidstrom has had a stunning impact on the Wings.
USA Today 1/17/1992 said:
Lidstrom , 22, might be the most exalted defenseman in Detroit since Hall of Famer Red Kelly roamed the ice more than 30 years ago.
Chicago Sun-Times 1/19/1992 said:
CALDER TROPHY (ROOKIE)
1. Niklas Lidstrom , Detroit
2. Tony Amonte, Rangers
3. Pat Falloon, San Jose
The Record (New Jersey) 1/19/1992 said:
1. Nicklas Lidstrom , Detroit After he wins the Calder Trophy and the plus-minus title, perhaps people will learn how to spell his first name.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch 1/22/1992 said:
GM-coach Bryan Murray uses the speed of ex-center Paul Ysebaert and Kevin Miller on the wings and the grace of rookie defenseman Niklas Lidstrom for an excellent transition game.
Toronto Star 1/23/1992 said:
The 20-year-old Russian right winger with the blazing speed and balletic moves has begun to cash in on the countless chances he's been generating since he joined the Canucks 31 games ago. And with no one except Detroit Red Wings' Niklas Lidstrom - who leads all rookies with seven goals and 40 assists in 45 games - making a serious bid for rookie of the year honors, Bure's in a position to make a horse race out of it, although he'd be the dark horse.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch 1/26/1992 said:
Entering Saturday's games, Detroit's Niklas Lidstrom , a favorite for the Calder Trophy as the rookie of the year, led all rookies with 40 points and a plus-minus rating of plus 27. The New York Rangers' Tony Amonte has 39 points.
Numbers from December through February:
Lidstrom
Date | Opp | G | A | PTS | +/-
12/3/1991 | CGY | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1
12/6/1991 | NYR | 0 | 2 | 2 | -1
12/7/1991 | NJD | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0
12/10/1991 | CHI | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2
12/12/1991 | QUE | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3
12/14/1991 | CGY | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1
12/15/1991 | EDM | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0
12/17/1991 | VAN | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
12/21/1991 | LAK | 0 | 2 | 2 | -1
12/28/1991 | TOR | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0
12/29/1991 | CHI | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1
12/31/1991 | BOS | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1
1/3/1992 | TOR | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3
1/4/1992 | STL | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2
1/7/1992 | NYI | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1
1/9/1992 | MNS | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5
1/11/1992 | EDM | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0
1/14/1992 | NYI | 0 | 0 | 0 | -2
1/16/1992 | PIT | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0
1/21/1992 | PHI | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
1/23/1992 | VAN | 0 | 0 | 0 | -3
1/25/1992 | NJD | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1
1/29/1992 | BUF | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2
1/31/1992 | NJD | 0 | 2 | 2 | -1
2/1/1992 | MTL | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1
2/3/1992 | PIT | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1
2/5/1992 | WSH | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0
2/7/1992 | TOR | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0
2/9/1992 | NYR | 0 | 0 | 0 | -2
2/11/1992 | TOR | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0
2/12/1992 | BUF | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2
2/15/1992 | SJS | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2
2/17/1992 | STL | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1
2/20/1992 | TOR | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
2/22/1992 | CHI | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
2/23/1992 | HAR | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1
2/27/1992 | CHI | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0
2/29/1992 | STL | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1
TOTALS
|
38
|
5
|
23
|
28
|
14
Bure
Date | Opp | G | A | PTS | +/-
12/1/1991 | EDM | 0 | 0 | 0 | -2
12/3/1991 | QUE | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1
12/4/1991 | MTL | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2
12/7/1991 | TOR | 0 | 0 | 0 | -2
12/10/1991 | EDM | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1
12/12/1991 | MNS | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0
12/14/1991 | LAK | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0
12/17/1991 | DET | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1
12/19/1991 | WIN | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1
12/22/1991 | QUE | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1
12/27/1991 | PHI | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
12/28/1991 | SJS | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1
12/31/1991 | LAK | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0
1/3/1992 | WSH | 0 | 0 | 0 | -2
1/4/1992 | MNS | 0 | 0 | 0 | -3
1/7/1992 | SJS | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1
1/12/1992 | PIT | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1
1/14/1992 | WIN | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2
1/15/1992 | EDM | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1
1/21/1992 | QUE | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3
1/23/1992 | DET | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1
1/25/1992 | STL | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
1/28/1992 | EDM | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1
1/30/1992 | CHI | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0
2/1/1992 | HAR | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1
2/4/1992 | MTL | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2
2/6/1992 | NYI | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1
2/10/1992 | MTL | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
2/12/1992 | NYR | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
2/13/1992 | NJD | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
2/15/1992 | NYI | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1
2/17/1992 | NYR | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2
2/19/1992 | BUF | 1 | 1 | 2 | -2
2/21/1992 | SJS | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1
2/23/1992 | BOS | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1
2/25/1992 | LAK | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1
2/28/1992 | WIN | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1
TOTAL
|
37
|
15
|
18
|
33
|
-2
STRETCH RUN
Sure enough, Lidstrom began to fade around Game 60. Amonte caught him in the scoring race and was briefly a favorite, but Bure went into an unbelievable scoring tear on February 17th and was a goal-per-game player from then until the end of the season. It's hard to argue against the obvious here: Bure won the Calder with a huge late-season surge as Lidstrom struggled with having played the entire schedule.
USA Today 3/4/1992 said:
Tony Amonte leads all NHL rookies in both goals (28) and points (54). He may run into a problem with voters.
First, he played with Messier, which will sway voters to believe his numbers were inflated. Second, just one point back is Detroit's Niklas Lidstrom , who is a defenseman.
Lidstom (sic) is plus-31, Amonte plus-16. Again, it could come down to whose team finishes higher. New Jersey's Kevin Todd, Vancouver's Pavel Bure and St. Louis' Nelson Emerson will get a few votes each.
The Houston Chronicle 3/8/1992 said:
Other Wings in the running: Defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom is getting a strong challenge from the Rangers' Tony Amonte for the Calder Trophy as the top rookie, though Lidstrom is expected to win because he plays the more difficult position
The Hamilton Spectator 3/17/1992 said:
Bure, who'd likely be neck and neck with New York Rangers' Tony Amonte and Detroit's Niklas Lidstrom for rookie-of-the-year honors if he hadn't missed the first 15 games of the season, struggled the first two months while showing glimpses of game-breaking ability.
Washington Post 3/24/1992 said:
A 6-foot, 194-pound left wing, Gilbert Dionne has no real shot at the Calder Trophy, given to the rookie of the year, since he has played only half a season. Though the Rangers' Tony Amonte has moved into the rookie scoring lead, Detroit defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom should win the award.
The Buffalo News 3/29/1992 said:
The race for Rookie of the Year honors is shaping up. The front-runner for much of the season, Detroit's Nicklas Lidstrom , is having problems with the 80-game schedule and is fading. That's left the door open for the Rangers' Tony Amonte, but there's a late rush coming from Buffalo's Donald Audette, Vancouver's Pavel Bure and even St. Louis' Nelson Emerson and New Jersey's Kevin Todd.
The Washington Times 4/1/1992 said:
* Calder (rookie) - Pavel Bure, Vancouver. The Rangers' Tony Amonte gets the headlines, but he plays with Messier. Bure grabs your attention when he's on the ice, and he has just 11 fewer points than Amonte in 15 fewer games. Runner-up - Nicklas Lidstrom , Detroit. The defenseman has 59 points and has been among the plus-minus leaders all season.
The Buffalo News 4/5/1992 said:
New York's Tony Amonte is the likely rookie of the year in a close race with Detroit defenseman Niklas Lidstrom . Vancouver's Pavel Bure is probably the best talent in this group, but I can't help but like Montreal's Gilbert Dionne.
Don Cherry interview in USA Today 4/16/1992 said:
Q: Who should be Rookie of the Year?
A: There's no question in my mind. I know everyone talks about (Nicklas) Lidstrom winning it, but when he hit Game 60, he hit a brick wall. This is like his third season. And I wouldn't pick (Vancouver's) Pavel Bure , either, because he's a minus hockey player. How can he be a minus hockey player when he scores 30 goals and is on a first-place team? I'll tell you how, he doesn't backcheck.
My choice would be (New York Ranger) Tony Amonte. He backchecks, he hits and he's tough. That's a hockey player to me. He's not as good a skater, but in a lot of ways he reminds me of Stevie Yzerman. He has that excitement. And I'm not being prejudiced. He's an American.
Numbers from March through April:
Lidstrom
Date | Opp | G | A | PTS | +/-
3/3/1992 | WIN | 0 | 1 | 1 | -3
3/5/1992 | MNS | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
3/7/1992 | QUE | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0
3/8/1992 | MTL | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1
3/12/1992 | STL | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0
3/14/1992 | MNS | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
3/15/1992 | WIN | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
3/17/1992 | SJS | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1
3/20/1992 | NYR | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1
3/22/1992 | PHI | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
3/24/1992 | PIT | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0
3/28/1992 | VAN | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
3/29/1992 | NYI | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1
3/31/1992 | CHI | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
4/12/1992 | CHI | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
4/14/1992 | MNS | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5
TOTAL
|
16
|
2
|
6
|
8
|
2
Bure
Date | Opp | G | A | PTS | +/-
3/1/1992 | CGY | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1
3/2/1992 | STL | 1 | 0 | 1 | -2
3/5/1992 | BOS | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1
3/7/1992 | HAR | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3
3/8/1992 | PHI | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1
3/12/1992 | NJD | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1
3/14/1992 | CGY | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0
3/18/1992 | HAR | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1
3/20/1992 | WIN | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0
3/22/1992 | WIN | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1
3/24/1992 | MNS | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2
3/26/1992 | PIT | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1
3/28/1992 | DET | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
3/29/1992 | WSH | 1 | 1 | 2 | -3
4/12/1992 | LAK | 1 | 0 | 1 | -2
4/14/1992 | LAK | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0
4/16/1992 | CGY | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3
TOTAL
|
17
|
15
|
7
|
22
|
2
POST-VOTING AND RUN-UP TO THE AWARDS
Neither player was incredible in the playoffs, though Bure did more to acquit himself with a hat trick and a 4-point game. Opinions seem to have been split three ways at this point, some writers remaining impressed with Lidstrom's early season, others leaning toward Bure's late surge, and still others preferring Amonte.
Daily Breeze 4/18/1992 said:
[playoff team previews]
Weaknesses: Prone to taking violent, unnecessary penalties. Struggled to play .500 after taking control of Norris early in season. Rookie D Nicklas Lidstrom has faded after brilliant start.
St. Paul Pioneer Press 4/18/1992 said:
Defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom , among the rookie scoring leaders, seems a cinch to win the Calder Trophy as the league's rookie of the year.
The Hartford Courant 4/19/1992 said:
Calder Trophy 1. Vancouver's Pavel Bure; 2. Rangers' Tony Amonte; 3. Detroit's Nicklas Lidstrom
USA Today 4/23/1992 said:
Brian Burke answers an inquiry about rookie of the year candidates by posing a devil's advocate question to the general managers of the New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings.
``Just ask (Rangers') Neil Smith or (Red Wings') Bryan Murray if they would trade Tony Amonte or Niklas Lidstrom straight up for Pavel Bure ,'' jokes the Vancouver Canucks director of hockey operations. ``They'd break their fingers trying to dial the phone so quickly.
``Nothing against (Amonte), but if you prorate Bure 's stats, he had a better year. You can make a good case for Lidstrom .''
The Tampa Tribune 5/3/1992 said:
Tony Amonte probably is going to win the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie, but ask any NHL scout and he'll likely tell you that Vancouver's swift skating Pavel Bure is the better of the two players. Certainly he is the more exciting of the two. ""He's absolutely electric,'' one scout said of Bure . ""When that kid touches the puck, everybody in the building moves to the edge of their seat.'' Bure had a slow start in the Canucks' first-round playoff series against Winnipeg, but after Coach Pat Quinn added bruising left winger Sergio Momesso to his line, the ""Russian Rocket'' took off and accumulated seven points (three goals) over two games to help Vancouver force its deciding seventh game.
USA Today 5/6/1992 said:
``Early in the season, he just killed us,'' St. Louis Blues general manager Ron Caron said.
Lidstrom has given the Red Wings the offensive presence on the blue line they've lacked for several seasons.
``I don't think of him as a rookie,'' coach Bryan Murray said. ``If people don't recognize he's a stud, there's something wrong.''
Worcester Telegram & Gazette 5/17/1992 said:
CALDER TROPHY: The finalists for this award as rookies of the year are Tony Amonte, Pavel Bure and Niklas Lidstrom .
Three months ago, the New York Rangers' Amonte appeared to be a lock for the award, but Vancouver's Bure went on a goal-a-game scoring binge.
Amonte had the benefit of playing on a line with Mark Messier and Adam Graves, and wound up scoring 60 points, nine more than Bure , but he played in 14 more games.
Bure , who led all rookies with three short-handed goals and tied for the lead among rookies with six game-winning goals, missed 15 games because his NHL eligibility was held up in litigation. Blame can be placed on the courts, the Russian Federation and NHL system, but not on Bure , who should win the award.
Lidstrom , a defenseman, led all rookies in plus-minus with a plus-36 rating, placing him third overall in the league. He was one of two rookies to appear in all 80 games; New Jersey's Kevin Todd was the other. But Lidstrom is a defenseman and will be one of the runnersup.
Omaha World-Herald 5/22/1992 said:
Rookie Candidate Vancouver's Pavel Bure hopes to become the second player from the former Soviet Union to win the NHL's Rookie of the Year Award in the last three years.
Calgary's Sergei Makarov took the Calder Trophy in 1990 and the Hawks' Ed Belfour claimed it last year. During a recent stretch, Bure had compiled 12 goals in 12 games.
It will be difficult for Bure to beat out New York Ranger Tony Amonte, who has the vast publicity machine of the East Coast news media behind him. But it should be noted that while Amonte has 33 goals in 72 games, Bure has 26 goals in 56 games. He didn't start with the Canucks until Nov. 5.
Final voting:
Player | 1st place votes | 2nd place votes | 3rd place votes | Total points
Pavel Bure | 26 | 27 | 11 | 222
Nicklas Lidstrom | 23 | 16 |20 | 183
Tony Amonte | 18 | 22 | 27 | 183
Pat Falloon | 1 | 4 | 3 | 20
Kevin Todd | 1 | 0 | 4 | 9
Donald Audette | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2
Benoit Brunet | 0 | 0 | 0 |1
Derian Hatcher | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1
A possible explanation of the final result is that the Amonte voters preferred Bure to Lidstrom by a significant margin.
CONCLUSION: The historical record shows a few things quite clearly. Lidstrom and Bure entered the league with roughly the same level of hype. Lidstrom had a significant Calder advantage in that he had no contract issues, attended camp and preseason with his team and played in a Bure-less league for over a month. Even better, Lidstrom was the first rookie to stand out and the most consistently strong over the first few months. At midseason, Lidstrom was considered the easy Calder favorite with few even noting Bure's presence. Around Game 60, Lidstrom faded and Bure stepped up with a monster scoring streak that vaulted him past his competition. In the end, the two had a similar number of 1st-place votes but 83% of voters considered Bure either #1 or #2, giving him the Calder.
One noteworthy question that lingers: did Bure actually benefit from playing a shortened season? He clearly had an adjustment phase right in the middle of the NHL season, which Lidstrom experienced in the preseason, but he hit his stride around the 3/4ths mark of the season at the same time Lidstrom hit that 60-game wall. Would the story have been different if Bure had come in during the preseason, hit that hot streak around December, and then had to play through the rest of the schedule? Could be.