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Montreal Canadiens: AWH Awards – Who’s The Rookie of the Year?

By Maria Bouabdo |
EDMONTON, AB - JANUARY 18: Alexander Romanov and Brett Kulak Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
EDMONTON, AB - JANUARY 18: Alexander Romanov and Brett Kulak Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)

Today, we will continue handing out the A Winning Habit Awards for the Montreal Canadiens.

After my colleagues Patrick Lortie and Scott Cowan handed out the awards for the Montreal Canadiens’ MVP and Best Defenceman, I will be handing out the award for the Rookie of the Year.

Montreal Canadiens: Honourable Mentions

Although these are not rookies now, they were last year and I feel it’s important to mention them as they are key elements to the Montreal Canadiens’ young core. They are also young guys this year’s rookies probably learned a lot from and will continue learning from. They’ll probably also grow up to be future leaders.

Nick Suzuki

MONTREAL, QC – MARCH 02: Nick Suzuki #14 of the Montreal Canadiens remains focused against the Ottawa Senators during the second period at the Bell Centre on March 2, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Ottawa Senators 3-1. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – MARCH 02: Nick Suzuki #14 of the Montreal Canadiens remains focused against the Ottawa Senators during the second period at the Bell Centre on March 2, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Ottawa Senators 3-1. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

I sometimes forget that this is only Suzuki‘s second season in the NHL. That’s probably because the 21-year-old has shown that he can be relied on and is always ready to help out the team. He did it last postseason when the Canadiens had difficulty scoring, registering four goals and three assists for seven points in ten games.

He also stepped up this season, especially towards the end when he was most needed. He ended the regular season with 15 goals and 26 assists for a total of 41 points in 56 games. In 71 games played last regular season, Suzuki had 13 goals and 28 assists for the same amount of points, which is pretty impressive for a guy playing his second year in the NHL. He’s already showing progress and I have zero doubt that he will keep getting better.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi

MONTREAL, QC – JANUARY 09: Jesperi Kotkaniemi #15 of the Montreal Canadiens. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – JANUARY 09: Jesperi Kotkaniemi #15 of the Montreal Canadiens. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

Although he has been struggling for the second half of the season, let’s not forget that Kotkaniemi is just a 20-year-old who’s still learning and growing. While his stats are less impressive than Suzuki’s, he stepped up this season when the other centers, Phillip Danault and Suzuki, were going through a rough patch.

Many people have noticed that, for the moment being, we have not yet seen Suzuki and Kotkaniemi succeed at the same time (except in last year’s playoffs). It’s usually either one or the other. But give it a few more years and they will be the Habs’ best two centers.

Montreal Canadiens: Rookie of the Year Nominees

Jake Evans

MONTREAL, QC – APRIL 28: Jake Evans #71 of the Montreal Canadiens prepares for a face-off during the second period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Bell Centre on April 28, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-1. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – APRIL 28: Jake Evans #71 of the Montreal Canadiens prepares for a face-off during the second period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Bell Centre on April 28, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-1. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

Evans only played 19 games in total with the Canadiens last season (13 during the regular season and six in the playoffs). This season, he played 47 games and amassed three goals and 10 assists. Though, he has been a lot better than his stats suggest. I can’t wait to see him in the playoffs. His speed and puck-handling are getting better with every game he plays and he will also a big part of the team’s future.

Alexander Romanov

Apr 28, 2021; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens Alexander Romanov. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2021; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens Alexander Romanov. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports /

This is Romanov’s very first year in the NHL and although he is only 21, he has shown, time and time again, that he can be relied on, not only defensively, but for his physicality and ability to move the puck and even shoot it. The more he shoots it, the higher the chances are that it goes inside the net, right?

His ability to deliver clean hits has been a big – if not the biggest – part of the Canadiens physicality this season. And that only shows that not only is he physical, but also extremely smart.

Cole Caufield

MONTREAL, QC – MAY 03: Cole Caufield #22 of the Montreal Canadiens takes a shot and scores the game winning goal for a final score of 3-2 against the Toronto Maple Leafs in overtime at the Bell Centre on May 3, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – MAY 03: Cole Caufield #22 of the Montreal Canadiens takes a shot and scores the game winning goal for a final score of 3-2 against the Toronto Maple Leafs in overtime at the Bell Centre on May 3, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

Last but not least, Caufield, a.k.a the Hobey Baker Award winner who likes to score in overtime. Even though he has only played 10 games with the Habs this season, it’s already clear that he will be a difference-maker for the team when he does play.

Simply put, Caufield is a goal scorer. In his 10 games played, he scored four goals and got one assist. While it’s a small sample, and it can’t necessarily be compared to an entire season, I think Caufield has shown us what he can do and I can’t wait to see him become a regular in the lineup.

Montreal Canadiens: Rookie of the Year Winner

And, the winner is… Alexander Romanov. Yes, another defenceman.

Believe me, this was not easy. Here was my thought process: Romanov has been great this season, but Evans really stepped up at the end, but Caufield scored four goals in his first 10 games, etc.

In my opinion, any of these three guys deserve to win the Rookie of the Year Award, but I decided to give it to Romanov because I truly think that the team wouldn’t be where it is if it wasn’t for him.

I also thought about Caufield only having played in 10 games so far, and that’s not as representative as having played a full season. Evans has also been and will probably continue being outstanding, and Caufield, well, he’ll continue to score goals, I don’t doubt it. But I think Romanov was by far the rookie that impressed the most this year and once he figures out how to get the puck inside the net, he will be unstoppable. But he brings so much more to the game, that scoring is not really an issue.

dark. Next. Predictions for Round One of The Playoffs

Although he will not be playing in Game 1 tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs, I can expect him to bring the physical aspect of his game to the next level when he eventually does. With the playoffs being even more physical than the regular season, that’s when guys like him usually thrive, and I’m sure that watching him play will be a lot of fun.

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