Moritz Seider takes home the Calder Trophy over Michael Bunting and Trevor Zegras
Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider has won the Calder Trophy as the NHL's rookie of the year, edging out Anaheim's Trevor Zegras and, of course, our very own Michael Bunting.
Moritz Seider wins the Calder Trophy. Well deserved. All three finalists showed up.� luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) June 21, 2022
While Michael Bunting led the way in rookie scoring (including dominating all rookies in 5-on-5 scoring), Seider had an outstanding year as a rookie defenseman on a young Detroit team. He had 7 goals and 43 assists and was one of their most impactful players night in and night out - something that's quite rare for a rookie defenseman.
Michael Bunting was nominated after a stellar season with the Leafs at the ripe young age of *checks notes* 26. Starting the season in a group of players who had question marks beside their names in terms of where they would fit, Bunting quickly rose to the top of that group and earned a permanent spot on the top line with Matthews and Marner, forming one of the most potent offensive lines in hockey. His tenacious play fit in well, and before long Leafs fans had forgotten the name Zach Hyman.
Bunting provided perhaps the best value across the entire league last year, scoring 23 goals and 40 assists at just a $950K AAV. Signed for one more year at that rate, all the Leafs can do is enjoy what he brings for one more year before he earns an absurd amount of money for a player who didn't break into the NHL on a full time basis until this year.
