Top three Eastern Conference Calder Trophy candidates for 2017-18

The 2017-18 NHL season is still almost two months away, but it's never too early to start discussing potential Calder Trophy candidates. 

With the 2015 draft class giving us Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel, 2016 blessing us with Patrik Laine and Auston Matthews, there's some big expectations for the rookies this time around. The Eastern Conference is home to arguably three of the top frontrunners entering the season, with Nico Hischier of the New Jersey Devils, Nolan Patrick of the Philadelphia Flyers and Charlie McAvoy of the Boston Bruins all likely to make major impacts.

1. Nico Hischier, New Jersey Devils - As the top draft pick at the 2017 NHL Draft, Hischier has been deemed the most NHL-ready prospect by numerous scouts. If he does indeed crack the opening night roster, there's a very good chance he slides right onto the top line alongside Taylor Hall. He's a very skilled offensive forward with the ability to take over and dominate games. Hischier showed at the World Junior championships his game-breaking speed and wicked stickhandling ability, racking up four goals through five games. This is a versatile two-way forward who appears destined to be top-line center at the NHL level. 

2. Nolan Patrick, Philadelphia Flyers - While Patrick was selected second overall in June, there's some uncertainty surrounding the forward as we get closer to the 2017-18 NHL season. His injury history continues to be a concern, as he missed Flyers' Development Camp with an infection in his face. It also remains unknown how much ice time he'll get behind the likes of fellow centermen Claude Giroux and Sean Couturier. He's still a prime candidate, however, as Patrick is a very high-skilled player with tremendous hockey sense. He's racked up an 102-point season in the WHL and is a very responsible player at both ends of the ice. 

3. Charlie McAvoy, Boston Bruins - McAvoy could very well be the top Calder Trophy candidate entering the 2017-18 season given the way he played in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He's an exceptional skater with fantastic puck-moving ability. With the way Boston slotted him onto the top defensive pairing with Zdeno Chara, it's very likely he'll play the most out of any rookie in 2017-18. McAvoy put together two fantastic seasons with Boston College and has shown he has the maturity and poise to compete at the NHL level. 

While these are three of the frontrunners in the East, Thomas Chabot of the Ottawa Senators, Matthew Barzal and Josh Ho-Sang of the New York Islanders and Jakub Vrana of the Washington Capitals are just a few of several others who are sure to be in the discussion.