Let’s get this out of the way first: one of Cale Makar or Quinn Hughes will win the Calder Trophy this season. Both had outstanding years, and either one would be a worthy winner of the award. I have Makar slightly ahead of Hughes, but I would be fine if Hughes won it.
That being said - Elvis Merzlikins deserves to be the third finalist for the award.
Merzlikins had a rough start to the season, getting shelled by the Pittsburgh Penguins in his first outing, and then struggling to find consistent ice time behind Joonas Korpisalo.