News and Analysis: Laine named NHL’s First Star of the Week

After recording eight points (five goals and three assists) in four games, the NHL named Patrik Laine the league’s first star of the week.

Three of those goals came against the Dallas Stars on February 14th when Laine recorded a hat trick on home ice to help the Jets defeat the Stars 5-2. 

While Laine’s rookie season has been extremely impressing, he has some work to do before solidifying himself as this year’s best rookie. Laine leads the league in rookie scoring (53 points) and points per game (0.96), but those numbers alone don’t make Lanie a lock for the Calder Trophy. This year’s rookie class is so deep that a close to point per game sniper like Laine, who was also an NHL all-star, isn’t a lock for the Calder Trophy. 

Trailing behind Laine in scoring is Auston Matthews, who may be secondary to Laine in scoring, but he’s without a doubt the most polished of this year’s rookie class. Matthews has been the more all-around player while also putting up respectable offensive numbers himself. If Laine can gain some significant ground on the rookie scoring race, he’ll have a much better shot at receiving votes for the Calder Trophy. Laine and Matthews will face off against each other tomorrow night before the Jets start a five-day bye week.