The NHL announced their three finalists for the 2019-20 Calder Trophy, awarded to the player voted as the rookie of the year, and Blackhawks left wing Dominik Kubalik was included as a finalist.
Kubalik was acquired from the Los Angeles Kings on Jan. 24, 2019 in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick in the 2019 NHL draft (previously acquired from the Arizona Coyotes) after it became clear that he would not be signing an entry-level contract with the Kings and the team would lose his rights. Kubalik was a 2013 seventh-round draft pick of Los Angeles but failed to participate in any of their prospect camps and had played several seasons with Ambrì Piotta and HC Plzen of the Czech Extraliga. Prior to that, he played for the Sudbury Wolves and Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League for two seasons.
🗣️ CALDER TROPHY FINALISTS
Quinn Hughes, Cale Makar (@Cmakar16) and Dominik Kubalik, but who will win? #NHLAwards
MORE: https://t.co/YAl04TkcKw pic.twitter.com/JZ4nb67r4N
— NHL (@NHL) July 15, 2020
The 24-year-old Kubalik had a great rookie season with the Blackhawks, ranking third on the team in scoring behind Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews with 46 points (30 goals, 16 assists) in 68 games. Kubalik ranked third overall in points as a rookie behind Vancouver defenseman Quinn Hughes and Colorado defenseman Cale Makar and led all rookies with his 30 goals.
He is scheduled to become a restricted free agent in mid-October following the completion of the playoffs and the NHL Entry Draft, which will add a whole new level of complexity to the Blackhawks cap problems.
2019-20 Calder Memorial Trophy finalist: Dominik Kubalik
Kubalik paced NHL rookies with 30 goals in 2019-20, including 19 in 29 games since Jan. 1. https://t.co/VlqtIs9RXe #NHLAwards #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/4hKTAq4yrL
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) July 15, 2020