Welcome to my Thursday ramblings once again. This one will be a quick one as I have done hockey draft five days in a row and my mind/liver need a break.

Here are my to 10 Calder trophy choices!

10. Sam Steel

I just get this gut feeling that Steel is going to make it too hard on the Ducks to send him down to the minors. Even when Kesler gets back in to the lineup, and the Duck can roll Getzlaf-Henrique-Kesler down the middle, Steel should still be a winger who will be used when Getz and Kesler get hurt as thy normally do.

If all goes according to plan: 15-30-45

Realistically: 12-19-31

9. Juuso Valimaki

Making the Flames roster over other notable young defensemen in Anderssen and Kylington (mostly because the contract Stone cannot be traded easily), Valimaki should outshine both Hamonic and Stone to hopefully move up the defensive ranks for the Flames.

If all goes according to plan (with powerplay time): 5-27-32

Realistically: 3-12-15

8. Miro Heiskanen

The player the Stars would not trade for Karlsson is set to be one of the better rookies to play in the NHL this season, but will the points follow? Likely not with Klingberg, Honka and Lindell ahead of him as puck-movers. He will become a solid player for the Stars and will get tons of accolades and honestly I am probably putting him too low on my list, but the players ahead of him will likely be viewed a lot more.

If all goes according to plan (with powerplay time): 8-30-38

Realistically: 7-22-29

7. Casey Mittelstadt

Mittelstadt is so skilled and he should flourish without getting the oppositions best lines, as those will be reserved for Eichel. It is unknown if he can obtain a position on the first powerplay though as Okposo, Rienhart, Eichel and Skinner are all more established. If an injury occurs to one of them you can expect Mittelstadt to gain a spot on the #1PP.

If all goes according to plan (with powerplay time): 20-28-48

Realistically: 14-25-39

6. Dominik Kahun

Starting on the Toews line in Chicago Kahun is put in a great spot to succeed, and considering the Blackhawks probably have four outdoor games this season he will be viewed a ton. In preseason Kahun was one of the best Hawks and should bring much needed scoring to the team’s wing depth.

If all goes according to plan (with powerplay time): 20-45-65

Realistically: 15-30-45

5. Martin Necas

Necas is very good and the Hurricanes need a top six centre that can score. He lit it up in the preseason and that should continue in to the regular season. He has a great one-timer and can see the ice very well, he should have a strong season

If all goes according to plan (with powerplay time): 23-30-53

Realistically: 22-24-46

4. Filip Chytil

One of my favorite prospects in all of hockey, who really should be a lot higher on many people’s lists for top young players. He put up great numbers as an 18-year old in the AHL (minus all the games missed to random injuries) and should slot in as the number two centre in New York. He will be on many a highlight reel this season.

If all goes according to plan (with powerplay time): 25-35-60

Realistically: 21-23-45

3. Rasmus Dahin

No rookie player should be more beneficial to his team this season than Dahlin as he will be a treat to watch. He may not post the points required to beat out the other contenders for the Calder trophy but he will do everything else a top defenseman will do, with the additional rookie hiccups.

If all goes according to plan (with powerplay time): 15-35-50

Realistically: 8-20-28

2. Elias Pettersson

Now for my contentious pick as I am a firm believer in who I have at #1, so much so that I am willing to be reminded I put Pettersson #2 and him #1. Pettersson will be a great player no doubt, but I feel like the Canucks will barely score at 5-on-5 and if the powerplay dries up so will his production. I get the sense Pettersson needs linemates that can finish t really help his point totals as well, and the Canucks just do not have the depth for that … well and they sign bad players to long-term deals.

If all goes according to plan (with powerplay time): 25-35-60

Realistically: 20-27-47

1. Andrei Svechnikov

I am a huge Svechnikov fan and feel he has been incredibly underrated at the draft and coming in to the Calder conversation. He always seems to be the bridesmaid but never the bride! This kid can shoot, pass, drive to the net, hit, one-time the puck… basically he does everything well. He will need ice time and #1PP time to beat Pettersson, which I am not super high on happening, for the award, but even without that he will come close. If you have him in a keeper pool be happy, he should post Tarasenko-like totals (possibly better too) for his career.

If all goes according to plan (with powerplay time): 30-35-65

Realistically: 25-24-49

Ok that is all. Thanks for reading.

Again I don’t respond to comments here but I do on my twitter @FHPQuinn