A Calder Trophy race that was a given in November is now a dogfight between at least a half dozen legitimate candidates. Adam Fox of the New York Rangers is making a case for being one of the favorites.
Fox has six goals and 26 points, good for sixth place overall among rookies and third among rookie blueliners. His 20 assists rank third among NHL freshmen. He quietly has risen near the top in every offensive category among rookies. He did this despite averaging 17:56 minutes per game, seventh most among rookie defensemen.
One month into the season, the entire hockey world was awarding Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar the Calder Trophy.