Could a 26-year-old rookie win the Calder Trophy in 2022?

Although Bunting is 26 years old, it isn't out of the ordinary that players in their mid-twenties capture the Calder Trophy. Aretmi Panarin won it in 2016 at the age of 24 and Kirill Kaprizov won the award in 2021 as a 24-year-old as well. Both Russians had pro experience prior to arriving in the NHL.

Bunting may not have played a lot of games in 2021 with the Arizona Coyotes, but he does have significant experience as a pro with Tuscon in the AHL, and because of his age and lack of games played at the NHL level, Bunting is eligible for the Calder in 2022.

The Scarborough, Ontario native is on one of the best contracts in the NHL right now, and currently sits 9 points back of Lucas Raymond in the rookie scoring race. Although 9 points is a fairly substantial gap at this point in the season, it is worth mentioning that Bunting has played in 2 less games and does have better line-mates in Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.

Bunting has made himself at home on the Leafs' top line and has found almost equal chemistry with Matthews and Marner to what we came to expect from Zach Hyman. Bunting plays a similar game to what Hyman did during his time in Toronto, relying on his tenacity and skill to make plays. He may not be scoring at the 40-goal pace that he did last season in Arizona, but he clearly belongs in the Leafs' top-six.

If the Leafs' top line continues to produce to the level that we have become accustomed to seeing, Bunting has a legitimate chance to close the gap on Lucas Raymond and may have a shot at the Calder Trophy yet.