Matty Beniers, Owen Power and Stuart Skinner were named finalists for the Calder Memorial Trophy on Wednesday.
The award is given annually to the best rookie in the NHL as voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association and the winner will be announced as part of the 2023 NHL Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on June 26 (8 p.m. ET; TNT, SN, TVAS).
Beniers, a 20-year-old forward, led NHL rookies in points (57) and plus-minus rating (plus-14), was tied for the League lead in goals with Wyatt Johnston of the Dallas Stars (24) and finished second in assists (33) in 80 games. He had 10 power-play points, 148 shots on goal and four game-winning goals while averaging 17:06 of ice time.
"Yeah, it's exciting," Beneirs said. "It's been a good year and a lot of thanks to the guys around me."
The No. 2 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, Beniers helped the Kraken (46-28-8, 100 points) clinch a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in their second NHL season, improving by 19 wins and 40 points from their inaugural season.
"Yeah, a really fitting honor for Matty," Kraken coach Dave Hakstol said. "If you look at his body of work right from start to finish, he's had a very impressive rookie season. Even setting aside rookie season, he's had a very impressive season. He's asked to do a lot for us, as a young player in the League. He continually responds to those situations, and he's very quickly become, as a young guy, a team leader for us."
Power led rookie defensemen in assists (31) and points (35), was tied for second in plus-minus rating (plus-10) with Dylan Samberg of the Winnipeg Jets and finished third in power-play points (eight).
The No. 1 pick in the 2021 draft, the 20-year-old helped the Sabres (42-33-7) to their best record and most points since the 2010-11 season, which was the last time they made the playoffs. Power would be the first Sabres player to win the award since Tyler Myers in 2009-10.
Skinner led rookie goalies in wins (29) and games (50) and was third in save percentage (.914) and fifth in goals-against average (2.75) among rookies to play at least 10 games.
"I am very honored, I mean it's a very cool accolade but at the same time, the only reason I get the opportunity for that is because of the guys in front of me, for the opportunity that I've gotten, and for the people that have helped me through this whole year and through my whole life," Skinner said. "So I'm very fortunate to have the team that I have in front of me here. That's all because of those guys. So obviously huge honor."
A third-round pick (No. 78) by the Oilers in the 2017 NHL Draft, the 24-year-old helped Edmonton (50-23-9) finish as the No. 2 seed in the Pacific Division and earn a berth in the playoffs. He would be the first Oilers player to win the award.
"It's obviously a privilege to be with those other guys that are going that are [up for] the Calder and for the people that have had [that honor] in the past," Skinner said. "I mean, it's such an honor. It's such a privilege and it just means I got a lot more work to do. I got a lot better to give ... so I'm just looking forward to that."
Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider won the Calder Trophy last season.
NHL.com senior director of editorial Shawn P. Roarke and staff writer Tracey Myers contributed to this report
