Being a rookie in the NHL is scary enough as it is, what with skilled players flying around at high rates of speed. If you aren’t ready for it, the league can be a buzzsaw. So it came as a surprise to me when I saw a comment from Pierre-Luc Dubois mentioning the Calder Trophy. The article courtesy of NHL.com, definitely raised a few eyebrows. After all, Dubois was a surprise third-overall pick by the Blue Jackets, and has yet to see more than half a season at what is desired to be his long term position of center. One would assume that Dubois would want to keep a low profile, no? Regardless, does Dubois have a point, could he win the Calder Trophy this year?
The article has a bit of a click-bait-y title to it but here is the money quote from Dubois:
“We’ll see, but, I mean, if I’m in Columbus I might have a shot for that, it’s a different level, but if I am in there I think I have a good shot at it. When you are in [the NHL], you don’t really think about it. You just want to play and help your team win. If you win an award like that, it is an honor.”
Barely even a mention of the Calder if we are being honest. Dubois does face an uphill battle in terms of consideration for the award. He will have a tough time trying to make the roster out of camp, and while I am sure he will compete fiercely, the Jackets are going to want him to get some seasoning as a center this upcoming season. And throwing him immediately to the wolves isn’t part of Jarmo Kekalainen’s MO.
Additionally, Dubois would be up against players like Auston Matthews and Patrik Laine for the trophy, both of whom are going to be placed in advantageous situations that will allow for them to succeed almost immediately. The Jackets under current leadership haven’t bent over backwards for a prospect and I doubt they will do it for Dubois either.
On the flip side, I like the comments from Dubois. The Calder Trophy is on his mind and if he is thinking about winning an individual award like that, he has confidence in spades. Hockey players are more known for their quiet confidence in their abilities, it is an unwritten rule, similar to “the code.” That doesn’t have to be the case though. If Dubois wants to be boisterous, be my guest.
Dubois may not even be the Calder favorite in his own organization (perhaps you have heard the names Bjorkstrand, or Wereknski?) but it shouldn’t deter him from believing in himself. He has the ability to be a great player and the Jackets believe in that. So why not talk about the Calder Trophy? If Dubois is performing well, that means the team is benefitting from his talents. Instead of cringing at Dubois’ comments, embrace them, he has his sights set on the NHL and is hoping to make an impact sooner rather than later. That sounds like a Blue Jackets god send to me.
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