Yesterday, the NHL announced the three candidates for the Calder which is handed out to the season’s best rookie. Making the cut were Chicago forward tandem Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. Joining them in Toronto will be Washington pivot Nicklas Backstrom.

The Hawk duo of Kane and Toews led the Original Six franchise back to respectability finishing four points behind Calgary for the final playoff berth with 88 points. Had Toews not missed 18 games, it’s very possible that Chicago would’ve made the postseason. The 19 year-old Manitoban still returned to spark his club finishing third in rookie scoring with 24 goals (1st among rookies) and 30 assists for 54 points in 64 contests. He also had seven power play goals, four game-winners and a respectable plus-11 rating.

Toews’ linemate Kane lived up to the hype after being selected first overall in last year’s Entry Draft. The 19 year-old from Buffalo finished second to Backstrom with 51 assists while his 72 points were tops among first-year players. He also matched Toews’ power play and game-winner output with seven PPG and four GW.

Backstrom had an outstanding freshman season. Finally coming over from Sweden, Washington’s former 2006 fourth overall selection tallied 14 goals, a rookie best 55 helpers and 69 total points finishing second to Kane. The 20 year-old playmaking pivot assumed a heavy burden after free agent pickup Michael Nylander went down with a season-ending injury.

Asked to play with Alex Ovechkin, Backstrom fit in well flourishing with the league’s leading scorer to help lead the Capitals to their first postseason in five years. Though his team fell a little short in a hard seven-game series defeat to the Flyers, Backstrom fared well notching four goals and two assists while posting a plus-three rating. He’ll be a star for years to come.

One Blogger’s Reaction: All three forwards were excellent choices but why not Montreal’s Carey Price for the final spot? Without the very poised 20 year-old, the Canadiens finish nowhere near the top of the East. The former 2005 first rounder won 24 games while posting a 2.56 GAA, .920 save percentage and three shutouts.

Since, he’s added two more blankings in the first round. Maybe they just decided not to penalize the players who played full seasons. Other worthy candidates who missed the cut were Atlanta’s Tobias Enstrom, Edmonton’s Tom Gilbert, St. Louis’ Erik Johnson and Phoenix’ Peter Mueller.

I could mention a few kids from the locals but it wouldn’t really be fair. Maybe another time.