Buffalo Sabres Prospect: Jack Eichels Odds At Calder Trophy

The 2015-2016 NHL regular season is still a ways away, but the Buffalo Sabres have an eligible candidate for the Calder Trophy in Jack Eichel, a candidate is is more than capable of winning the award. In just one season, he was able to grab as many NCAA honors as he could, becoming the first freshman to win the coveted Hobey Baker award since Paul Kariya achieved the honor in 1993.

So this may sound a little premature, but Jack Eichel stands the best change for the Calder trophy of the three would-be finalist, assuming that the one, two, and three draft picks are the finalists, and that other “rookie” eligible players do not overshadow the likes of Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel and Dylan Strome.

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So without having seen any of the 2015-2016 rookie class play any hockey, solely on the fact that the Buffalo Sabres have Jack Eichel, a winner of the Hobey Baker – I wanted to look at other Hobey Baker winners and see how many of them went on to win the Rookie of the Year Award in the National Hockey League, as well as how many Hobey Baker winners played for the Buffalo Sabres.

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Buffalo Sabres Hobey Baker Winners

Jack Eichel, drafted in 2015 by the Buffalo Sabres
Kevin Porter, drafted in 2004 by the Phoenix Coyotes, signed with Buffalo as a free agent
Ryan Miller, drafted in 1999 by the Buffalo Sabres
Chris Drury, drafted in 1994 by the Quebec Nordiques, traded to Buffalo Sabres from Calgary Flames
Jordan Leopold, drafted in 1999 by the Anaheim Ducks, signed with Buffalo as a free agent
Brian Holzinger, drafted in 1991 by the Buffalo Sabres
Robb Stauber, drafted in 1986 by the LA Kings, traded to Buffalo from LA
Tom Kurvers, drafted in 1981 by the Montreal Canadiens, traded to Buffalo from Montreal

Buffalo Sabres Calder Trophy Winners

Not every member of the above list turned out to be a great professional hockey player – the pool of players in the NCAA ranks in any given number of years might not be as strong, or some people might just not translate to the pro game as well as others. Here is the list of Calder Trophy winners that have played for the Buffalo Sabres:

Tyler Myers (2009-2010)
Chris Drury (1998-1999 w/Colorado Avalanche)
Tom Barrasso (1983-1984)
Dale Hawerchuk (1981-1982 w/Winnipeg Jets)
Gilbert Perreault (1970-1971)
Roger Crozier (1964-1965 w/Detroit Red Wings)

Chris Drury won both the NCAA top honors and NHL rookie of the year honors. He is in elite company, as the only Hobey Baker winner to win the Calder Memorial Trophy.

Can Jack Eichel be the second player in the history of the two awards to win both?

Next: Do the Buffalo Sabres have a Calder Trophy Candidate in the system?

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