Islanders rookie cracks top 5 for major trophy not named Calder

New York Islanders rookie Matthew Schaefer has blown up the Calder Trophy race. That’s hardly news at this point in the season.

But what does seem intriguing is that Schaefer has cracked the top 5 in a major trophy race: The Norris.

According to a USA Today piece from November 19, the Islanders’ 18-year-old stud rookie has leaped into the Norris conversation.

To no one’s surprise, Colorado Avalanche blueliner Cale Makar currently leads the way for the Norris. He’s been on fire since the season began. Makar is trailed by Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes. Hughes has also been fantastic despite missing time with injury.

The other two candidates are Josh Morrissey of the Winnipeg Jets and Miro Heiskanen of the Dallas Stars. That’s one heck of a group Schaefer has been thrust into. While Schaefer is very much a long shot to win the Norris this season, just being included in the same conversation as the NHL’s current crop of top blueliners is a remarkable feat.

Schaefer’s seven goals and 15 points in 22 games this season have been nothing short of fantastic. Most importantly, his four power play goals have been a welcome addition to the Islanders’ offensive attack this season.

Islanders Schaefer could achieve historic feat

Matthew Schaefer could achieve a remarkable feat this season. He’s the presumptive Calder Trophy winner at this point. It seems unlikely that any of the other players in this year’s rookie class could outduel Schaefer.

So, assuming Schaefer wins the Calder, he could make history by winning the Norris Trophy in the same season. That’s something that’s never been done before. The closest anyone has ever gotten was Bobby Orr in 1966-67.

Orr won the Calder Trophy while getting a nomination for the Norris Trophy. Orr, as an 18-year-old, ran away with the Calder. He beat Ed Van Impe 168-86. But where things got interesting was in the Norris voting.

That year, New York Rangers blueliner Harry Howell won the Norris with 113 votes. Chicago Blackhawks Pierre Pilote came second with 95 votes. Rounding out the top three was Orr with 36.

That’s about as close as anyone has gotten to pulling off such a feat. So, would it be completely implausible for Schaefer to win both awards? It’s not something to bet on. Schaefer would have to outclass Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes to get there. Perhaps Schaefer can use the wow factor to sway some voters. But more sensible heads would flip-flop between Makar and Hughes.

However, there’s one situation that might win voters over to Schaefer’s side. If the Islanders’ rookie can score more points than either Makar or Hughes, that could change the dynamic completely. Plus, if the Islanders can lock up a playoff spot, Schaefer’s chances of getting the Norris may surpass those of Bobby Orr decades ago.