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NHL analysts highlight Penguins rookie as legitimate Calder contender
NHL analysts Scott Wheeler and Harman Dayal have ranked Penguins rookie goalie Arturs Silovs as number six on their list of who can capture the Calder Trophy.
One of the Pittsburgh Penguins' most successful players at this point in their 10-5-4 start to the season is goaltender Arturs Silovs, but Silovs is not just playing well for Pittsburgh.
What Arturs Silovs has quietly been able to do so far this season
The 24-year-old goaltender has quietly been one of the best goaltenders thus far in the NHL season.
At the same time, he is also making a name for himself at the national level. According to Harman Dayal and Scott Wheeler of The Athletic, Silovs is one of the leaders for the Calder Trophy, which is presented to the best rookie each season.
The website ranked Silovs sixth among its contenders for the trophy at this point of the season so far.
"Silovs' early numbers have been terrific; he's lost just twice in regulation over 10 starts, is sporting an outstanding .917 save percentage and ranks top 10 among all NHL goaltenders for goals saved above expected," Dayal and Wheeler wrote. "Silovs' side-to-side athleticism, quick reactions to in-tight chances and ability to take the bottom half of the net away have all shone in Pittsburgh. He has been a streaky, inconsistent goaltender throughout his career, so he still needs to prove that this is sustainable rather than just a hot start. Still, there's a genuine possibility he turned a corner during his sensational AHL playoff run last spring."
Silovs started his NHL career playing for the Vancouver Canucks after being selected by them in the sixth round during the 2019 NHL draft.
He debuted at the league level during season 2022-23 season and had 19 matches at the regular season level before being traded to Pittsburgh in July.
Why it's even more impressive what Arturs Silovs is doing
Notably, he joins a team that already had a preferred starter in Tristan Jarry but still started for the opening match of the season and is now 4-2-4 in 10 starts to show for his efforts.
If Silovs continues to perform at this rate, then he may not only help to keep his team qualified for a playoff position but also position himself among the breakout stars of the season.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 20 | 37 ANSWERS NHL analysts highlight Penguins rookie as legitimate Calder contender Will Arturs Silovs win the Calder Trophy? | ||
| Yes | 9 | 24.3 % |
| No | 28 | 75.7 % |
| List of polls | ||