Last year's No. 1 overall draft pick, Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid,Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere and Chicago Blackhawks forward Artemi Panarinhave been named the three finalists for the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie.
McDavid, just 19 years old, became a leader for the Oilers and had 16 goals and 48 points, despite playing in just 45 games because of a fractured left clavicle that sidelined him for three months. He was third among NHL players (40 games or more) with 1.07 points per game this season.
Gostisbehere, who turned 23 last month, was a third-round pick for the Flyers in 2012. His 17 goals were the most by a rookie defenseman since Dion Phaneuf had 20 for the Calgary Flames in 2005-06.
Panarin's 30 goals, 47 assists and 77 points were all tops among rookies, and Panarin finished ninth in the league in scoring. The 24-year-old winger went undrafted and signed with the Blackhawks a year ago, after playing seven seasons in Russia.
The winner, determined in voting by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association, will be announced at the 2016 NHL Awards on June 22 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.