Calder Trophy Power Rankings: Robertson charges to top of pack

In the fourth running of theScore's 2021 Calder Trophy Power Rankings, we have two complete newcomers, and three players who weren't on last month's list. Additionally, we have a new No. 1 for the first time all season.

This edition dates back to March 23.

5. Igor Shesterkin, Rangers Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photo / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Previous ranking: Not ranked

GP	W	SV%	GSAA
30	14	.919	9.2

It's easy to forget Shesterkin is still a rookie given the hype he created for himself during his brief 2019-20 campaign, but the Rangers goaltender has been sensational recently. He leads all rookies in wins since our last rankings and has two shutouts over that span. He's the backbone of a surging New York squad and routinely displays skill and athleticism that have him on the fast track to becoming a superstar.

4. Alex Nedeljkovic, Hurricanes Gregg Forwerck / National Hockey League / Getty

Previous ranking: Not ranked

GP	W	SV%	GSAA
19	12	.930	11.7

Nedelkjovic likely won't have a big enough workload to warrant legitimate Calder consideration by season's end, but the 25-year-old has been outstanding of late and deserves some recognition for his efforts. The netminder of the future for the Hurricanes leads all rookies with more than 10 games played in save percentage and has a sparkling 1.98 goals-against average. Nedelkjovic also ranks sixth among all goalies in goals saved above average and has played a massive role in the success of the Central Division leaders with Petr Mrazek out for most of the year.

3. Josh Norris, Senators Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

Previous ranking: Not ranked

GP	P	ATOI	XGF%
49	31	16:28	52.08

Norris has made our rankings previously this season but is back in a finalist position after a strong month as the Senators' No. 1 center. Norris sits behind only our top two candidates in rookie scoring this season and leads all freshmen with 14 power-play points thanks in large part to his lethal release. He's not the biggest name among Ottawa's young core, but he's established himself as a legitimate building block going forward.

2. Kirill Kaprizov, Wild Harrison Barden / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Previous ranking: 1

GP	P	ATOI	XGF%
47	41	18:08	46.89

For the first time this season, Kaprizov has fallen off the top of the podium. It's hardly any fault of his, as he's continued his stellar debut season and still leads all rookies in points while routinely making highlight-reel plays. Given Minnesota's secured playoff status, Kaprizov may hold the edge for voters at season's end, but as we enter the final few weeks of the campaign he'll need to outplay his closest competitor.

1. Jason Robertson, Stars Glenn James / National Hockey League / Getty

Previous ranking: 4

GP	P	ATOI	XGF%
43	39	16:37	56.88

Robertson has been outstanding lately and is the only rookie to average a point per game since our last list - doing so over an impressive 20 contests. The Stars winger also leads all rookies in shots over that span, is second among forwards in average ice time, and has notched two game-winning goals. He holds a significant 16-7 even-strength point advantage over Kaprizov in the past month and has superior underlying stats this season in terms of expected goals and shot share.

We're giving Robertson a slight edge for now, but the race for the Calder is setting up to produce quite a finish.

(Analytics source: Natural Stat Trick)

Copyright (C) 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.