[News] Calder Finalists: Laine, Matthews, Werenski

[savemedrzaius]

Originally Posted by FlamesFanStrandedInEDM

I believe he was still eligible this season


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Still eligible. Just kind of funny. I'm sure he is happy to get the cup instead of the Calder though.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by FlamesFanStrandedInEDM

I believe he was still eligible this season

Yes, he was.

Back in the day, Ken Dryden won the Calder the year after he won the Cup too.

[Yoho]

Originally Posted by Resurrection

Laine's PPG was better than Matthews and if he was a Leaf and Matthews a Jet that would be brought up in the media every day. Both had amazing years but Laines injury gave Matthews the extra games needed to win this thing

And get the Leafs into the playoffs. If Laine was a Flame I'd be singing his praises as well, but this one is a done deal in the bag for Matthews.

They'll be a riot in TO if he doesn't win it.

[savemedrzaius]

Originally Posted by Resurrection

Laine's PPG was better than Matthews and if he was a Leaf and Matthews a Jet that would be brought up in the media every day. Both had amazing years but Laines injury gave Matthews the extra games needed to win this thing

Matthews is .84 PPG

Laine is .88 PPG

Yeah you got a point there. Didn't realize the difference was so big.

[White Out 403]

Originally Posted by Yoho

And get the Leafs into the playoffs. If Laine was a Flame I'd be singing his praises as well, but this one is a done deal in the bag for Matthews.

They'll be a riot in TO if he doesn't win it.

I mean, I thought my post was clear that I thought Matthews was going to win too. But to further clarify, he will win and should win....

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Resurrection

Laine's PPG was better than Matthews and if he was a Leaf and Matthews a Jet that would be brought up in the media every day. Both had amazing years but Laines injury gave Matthews the extra games needed to win this thing

I tend to agree as I believe if the seasons were the same and teams reversed that Laine may be the front runner based on the amount of overexposure that comes with being a Leaf. As much McDavid love as there has been this year he doesn't hold a candle to the amount of Matthews love on TSN.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Flame's Matthew Tkachuk has certainly built a "brand" in his rookie season. I know he's not in contention, but if there were an award for "Rookie You Hate to Play Against" he'd win it hands down.

Which actually has me thinking the NHL or NHLPA should have an award for "Strongest Opponent."

That would definitely create interest.

[savemedrzaius]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I tend to agree as I believe if the seasons were the same and teams reversed that Laine may be the front runner based on the amount of overexposure that comes with being a Leaf. As much McDavid love as there has been this year he doesn't hold a candle to the amount of Matthews love on TSN.

He's 19 years old and scored 40 goals playing centre with 2 rookies as linemates all season.

It doesn't matter what team you play for when you do that as a rookie...you are winning the Calder. Stop making it..Oh, he plays for Toronto that's why he is getting so much hype. It's lame and sour grapes.

[Monahan For Mayor]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I hate the Leafs as much as anyone but hard to argue against Matthews. He played a large role in the Leafs making the playoffs. The other two players can't say that.

You don't think Werenskis 21 minutes of ice time per game helped get his team to the playoffs ? (Average)

[Stay Golden]

All 3 incredible rookie seasons in fact Mathews and Laine crushed and had the kind of numbers that rookies simply do not put up and Werenski was a minute eater and became #2 as importance to his team on D only behind Jones.
I think Mathews wins it but all 3 did not have just great seasons they were stars.

[btimbit]

Hard to argue with those finalists. Mathews v Werenski really, I think Mathews takes it but I like Werenski personally.

If Laine didn't get injured though I think it'd be his. Only 5 less points in 9 less games, if he doesn't miss those games he likely scores 40.

Liked the Ovechkin v Crosby v Phaneuf comparison

[savemedrzaius]

Who was the most surprising (in a good way) rookie this season?

To me it is a toss-up between Marner and Tkachuk with Tkachuk taking it.

Both of them weren't supposed to be on the team so early. Both played great right from the start.

But I remember there being a knock about Tkachuk being carried by Marner and Dvorak with the Knights and maybe there would be a big dropoff once he was on his own. He definitely proved those people wrong.

So many great rookies in the league this year. It's great how a lot of them are on Canadian teams too.

[Geeoff]

Best rookie crop since 2006?

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by savemedrzaius

He's 19 years old and scored 40 goals playing centre with 2 rookies as linemates all season.

It doesn't matter what team you play for when you do that as a rookie...you are winning the Calder. Stop making it..Oh, he plays for Toronto that's why he is getting so much hype. It's lame and sour grapes.

Did you miss my first post in this thread? All I said is that the Toronto hype plays a big role in propping up players that are not often as good as their press clippings. Clearly this is not the case with Matthews because he's that good but that city has been overrating their players for decades. That's not sour grapes, that's reality.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

Flame's Matthew Tkachuk has certainly built a "brand" in his rookie season. I know he's not in contention, but if there were an award for "Rookie You Hate to Play Against" he'd win it hands down.

Which actually has me thinking the NHL or NHLPA should have an award for "Strongest Opponent."

That would definitely create interest.

The Marchand Award (we could call it the Rat Award until he retires).

[Meers]

Just a great rookie class this season, but Matthews is far and away the tallest poppy. Slam. Dunk.