Mathew Barzal, Brock Boeser, Clayton Keller named finalists for Calder Trophy

Elliotte Friedman sits down with New York Islanders rookie sensation Mathew Barzal.

New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal, Vancouver Canucks forward Brock Boeser, and Arizona Coyotes forward Clayton Keller have been named finalists for the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s most outstanding rookie.

Barzal led all rookies in points with 63 assists and 85 points while playing in 82 games.

The 20-year-old was the 16th-overall pick of the 2015 NHL Draft.

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Boeser, taken 23rd that year, was leading all rookies in goals with 29 when he suffered a “soft tissue injury and a small non-structural, non-displaced fracture of the transverse process in his lower back” on March 5. He finished with 55 points in 63 games.

Keller was one of few bright spots for the Coyotes this season, leading the team in goals (23) and tied Derek Stepan for the team lead in assists with 42.

The 19-year-old finished second to Barzal in the rookie scoring race with 65 points.

He was taken seventh overall in 2016.

The winner will be revealed at the NHL Awards on June 20.

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