Mar 21, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Buffalo Sabres left winger
Nicolas Deslauriers(44) during warmups prior to the game against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Buffalo Sabres Calder Trophy: Nicolas Deslauriers
By NHL standards, six rookie players suited up for the Buffalo Sabres this past season. Undoubtedly the one who made the most impact, however, was Nicolas Deslauriers, and so it is to him that I award the Buffalo Sabres Calder Trophy for rookie of the year.
Deslauriers was the only Sabres player – rookies and veterans inclusive – to appear in all 82 games this season. He had 15 points in that stretch, including a rookie-best five goals.
Deslauriers also led the Sabres in penalty minutes, with 71 on the season. He wasn’t afraid to play a physical game, throwing the body around night after night. He also had one game-winning goal and tallied 76 shots on the season.
Runner-up: Nikita Zadorov, who tied Deslauriers’ 15-point total in just 60 games. One-third of his points came on the power-play, and he led all rookies in assists (12). Zadorov also had one game-winning goal, 52 shots on goal and averaged 17:42 ice time per game.