Calvert has finished in the mid-20s for points in six of the last seven seasons, and 2019-20 was no different, as he recorded 12 goals and 13 assists in 50 outings. He's a strong penalty-killing winger, but rarely sees more than a trace of power-play time, which makes it difficult to trust he'll raise his scoring output. At 31 years old, Calvert will probably continue to see a bottom-six role for the Avalanche. He should be able to produce 20 to 25 points in 2020-21, with decent hit totals adding a bit of value for the winger in deeper fantasy formats.
Plenty of positives can be gleaned from Calvert's debut season with Avalanche. The fiery winger arrived at career-best totals in points (26), blocked shots (51) and hits (115), plus he appeared in every regular-season contest. Unfortunately, the injury bug paid Calvert a visit during the playoffs, with the penalty-killing guru appearing in just three of seven games opposite the Sharks in the conference semifinals. As a bottom-six, oft-injured winger, there's not much of a chance for the 29-year-old to cultivate a following in the fantasy realm.
Calvert's high-energy playing style made him a fan favorite in Columbus, but it also left him susceptible to injuries, and he played in fewer than 70 games last year for the fourth time in the last five seasons. When he's on the ice, the 28-year-old does all the dirty work you could want on a checking line; fighting for pucks in the corners, laying hits, and occasionally lighting the lamp on a deflection or goalmouth scramble. Calvert will bring his intensity to the Avalanche after signing a three-year deal in the offseason, but don't expect his role to change in a new uniform.
A prototypical energy player for a team's checking line, Calvert's willingness to get physical despite his lack of size continues to cost him, as he missed double-digit games last year due to injury for the third time in the last four seasons. When he's on the ice he is capable of supplying a little offense, scoring double-digit goals for the third straight campaign, but the 27-year-old is facing increasing pressure from a number of young forwards coming up through the Blue Jackets' system and could see his minutes continue to dwindle. After getting passed over by Vegas in the expansion draft, Calvert will head into the final year of his current contract looking to prove to prospective future employers that he can stay healthy
Calvert played in a career-high 73 games last year, but wasn't able to to turn the extra ice time into extra production, tying his previous career high with 24 points. He's purely a bottom-six grinder, and as young prospects like Oliver Bjorkstrand and Sonny Milano start pushing for NHL jobs, Calvert could find himself on the roster bubble.
Calvert's abrasive, high-energy style took its toll on his body last season and limited him to 56 games, but he did set career highs with 24 points and 53 PIM. He's a great fit for the Blue Jackets' third line, and could produce useful numbers in a multi-category league if he plays a full campaign, but his lack of size could continue to leave him susceptible to injuries.
The undersized Calvert solidified a spot for himself last season in the Blue Jackets' bottom six, providing energy, a blue collar work ethic and some surprising scoring punch down the stretch. He won't see enough top unit ice time to ever be a big fantasy contributor, but Calvert is showing signs of developing into a player the opposition hates to see hop over the boards.
Calvert hit the wall hard as a sophomore, managing just three assists in 13 NHL games, but his 17 goals, 36 points and 52 PIMs in 56 AHL games speak to his potential as a two-way forward. The Blue Jackets will be looking for grit and any offense they can get this season, so if Calvert can start to harness his skills, he has a chance to replicate those AHL numbers on the bigger stage.
Calvert didn't look out of place at all in his first taste of the NHL, scoring 11 goals and 20 points in 42 games while maintaining a positive plus-minus rating on a team that got outscored by half-a-goal a night on average. He's got some offensive upside once he's established himself as a big league regular, but for now look for him to pay his dues on an energy line, or riding the Columbus-Springfield shuttle.
Could have an NHL future as a second/third line winger, but he's still a year or two away from regular duty.
