Panarin shouldn't be punished for his years in the KHL, just as Ekblad shouldn't have gotten special recognition for being 18 in his year. The trophy definition is set - The Calder Memorial Trophy is an annual award given "to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League (NHL)."
If the NHL wants, they can implement a new Makarov-like rule (Panarin-rule?) to better define the award.
Though I think Ghostbear deserves some recognition, Panarin should win it. Obviously playing with Kane helped his totals, but anyone saying Panarin just fed off of Kane hasn't seen him play enough. He's a stud.
|