If Nashville Predators' Tanner Jeannot wasn't a serious rookie of year candidate, he is now

Those who didn’t know about Tanner Jeannot know now.

Or they should know about the Nashville Predators rookie forward by now.

They should know Jeannot knows how to play hockey.

They should know Jeannot knows how to fight.

They should know Jeannot’s nose for the game has elevated his name into serious Calder Trophy conversations.

Or at least should have by now.

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“He’s playing his way into that status,” Predators coach John Hynes said. “There’s still a lot of hockey left. … We all see how much of an impact Tanner has.”

Plenty, so far.

Anaheim's Trevor Zegras and Detroit’s Lucas Raymond are frontrunners for the award, given to the league’s top rookie.

But Jeannot, the man who wasn’t drafted, who played in the NHL, AHL and ECHL last season, is used to being an underdog.

Relishes it, really. He has since he was passed over in the WHL draft, when he said he made up his mind that he needed to stand out in some way if he was going to have a future on ice.

“Kind of just took it to heart,” he said.

Heart is the part that can't be measured by statistics or analytics. Jeannot has to be among the league leaders in that category, though.

Parts of Jeannot’s impact also can be measured by numbers he has compiled.

Going into Saturday, Jeannot led all rookies with 12 goals, impressive considering he's a fourth-liner who sees hardly any power-play time. He was first in penalty minutes, major penalties and total penalties. He was second in penalties drawn.

His 121 hits were the most by 31. His 20.69% shooting percentage was tops among rookies.

He was first in hits per 60 minutes in the league. He had three game-winning goals.

He’s among the rookie leaders in defensive zone starts, a testament to the trust Hynes has in him.

Not to mention the trust teammates have in the 24-year-old. Or general manager David Poile, who protected Jeannot, still unproven, in the expansion draft. And not just because he knew Jeannot would protect the Predators.

"With all due respect, you don't know as much as I know," Poile said when questioned about the decision to protect Jeannot over a more proven player, such as Calle Jarnkrok.

Colton Sissons talked of the elevated confidence with which the Predators play knowing Jeannot has his mates’ backs.

“He’s a real physical player,” Hynes said. “He has the element of fighting and toughness. He’s willing in those area. The pure strength and aggressiveness he plays with … when there’s a confrontation, he’s an aggressive guy.”

Some of the other Calder candidates may be bigger brand names, might have been much more heralded.

Jeannot isn't just happy to be here, though.

There are many reasons the Predators have been at or near the top of the Central Division standings in a season success was not expected. Goalie Juuse Saros should be in Vezina Trophy conversations. Same with Roman Josi and the Norris Trophy. Same with Hynes and coach of the year.

Same with Jeannot and the Calder.

If people don't know, now they know about Jeannot.

Reach Paul Skrbina at pskrbina@tennessean.com and follow him on Twitter @PaulSkrbina.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville Predators Tanner Jeannot makes strong case for Calder Trophy