Toronto Maple Leafs winger Michael Bunting, Anaheim Ducks centre Trevor Zegras and Detroit Red Wings defenceman Moritz Seider are the finalists for the Calder Trophy, presented to the NHL’s rookie of the year.
Bunting led all rookies with 63 points (23 goals, 40 assists) to help power a Maple Leafs offence that ranked second in the NHL with 315 goals.
Bunting qualified as a rookie by two days — he turned 26 on Sept. 17, 2021.
The native of Scarborough, Ont., also played 21 games with the Arizona Coyotes in 2020-21, four under the limit allowed for a player to be considered a rookie the following season.
Zegras was second in rookie scoring with 61 points (23 goals, 38 assists), including several of the highlight-reel variety.
The ninth overall pick from the 2019 Draft also led the NHL with six shootout goals.
Seider led rookie defencemen with 50 points (seven goals, 43 assists), a point total surpassed by only two rookie blueliners over the past 30 years (Quinn Hughes, Vladimir Malakhov).
The sixth overall pick from the 2019 Draft led all rookies in ice time.
Members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association voted for the award.
The winners of all awards will be announced during the Conference Finals and Stanley Cup Final.
