2014-15 Calder Trophy Race

[malcolmk14]

Christmas is here so it's time to start the Calder trophy watch!

Filip Forsberg (20 yrs old) - 13 goals, 19 assists, 32 points, +25, 4 GWG

Johnny Gaudreau (21 yrs old) - 10 goals, 17 assists, 27 points, +9, 2 GWG

Aaron Ekblad (18 yrs old) - 5 goals, 14 assists, 19 points, +6, 2 GWG

Just browsing through some stats today I noticed that Forsberg has 4 game winning goals, 2 shootout winners, and has assisted on 4 other game winners.

Gaudreau has 2 game winners (one against Nashville, actually), and has assisted 2 other game winners.

Ekblad is a defenceman so it's hard to compare stats but he has been very effective in Florida.

I didn't realize how good Nashville has been this year, and I forgot they have Pekka Rinne back and Peter Laviolette behind the bench. Have not lost 2 games in a row yet this season. Could be a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.

[nik-]

As much as I think Johnny is awesome, in my mind it's Forsberg and then Ekblad right now and if Ekblad has this kind of point production at the end of the year, it's him

40-50 points as an 18 year old D-man averaging significantly over 20 minutes a night? Yeah, take the Calder, you earned it.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Based on those stats and I'll admit to not having seen next to anything of Ekblad, but I think a fair rank order right now would be:
1. Forsberg, 2. Ekblad, 3. Gaudreau

It's pretty amazing actually how "tough" the calder race has become over the last few years. Always multiple players in there who have already become huge difference makers and key cogs for their clubs right out the gate.

[Poe969]

Ekblad is the real deal, the kid seems to be doing it all and looks like he's getting more comfortable and even improving already.

Forsberg is amazing. The kid is amazing. He's playing a pretty complete game and putting up points in all situations.

Johnny is electrifying. He's one of the most fun players to watch because something special always seems to happen when he's on the ice.

As a Flames fan, I want Johnny to win. As a hockey fan, this is just fun to watch.

[GoJetsGo]

I think Johnny's just getting warmed up. No offense to the other two, but I fully expect Gaudreau to kick it up a notch in the New Year and wouldn't be surprised if he ends up favoured to win the Calder by the end of the season.

[Ruttiger]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

I think Johnny's just getting warmed up. No offense to the other two, but I fully expect Gaudreau to kick it up a notch in the New Year and wouldn't be surprised if he ends up favoured to win the Calder by the end of the season.

Not sure I agree. With JG coming out of college and adjusting to the NHL grind and extended schedule, I expect the opposite will happen if anything. I expect he'll show signs of wearing down through the dog days of January and February.

Could be wrong though. He's right there with the other two - could legitimately make a case for all three. And if Michael Hutchinson was getting a few more starts I think you'd have to include him as well.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by Ruttiger

Not sure I agree. With JG coming out of college and adjusting to the NHL grind and extended schedule, I expect the opposite will happen if anything. I expect he'll show signs of wearing down through the dog days of January and February.

Could be wrong though. He's right there with the other two - could legitimately make a case for all three. And if Michael Hutchinson was getting a few more starts I think you'd have to include him as well.

You will be wrong.

It's a confidence thing. You can see how tentative he was at the beginning of the season. Then he sat and started to play better. He started getting comfortable playing set-up man but wasn't shooting. Now he's started shooting more and the goals are coming.

He's gaining confidence, and the coaching staff are using him in all situations. I find it really hard to believe he drops off because he gets tired. You can see the fire in his eyes. He's going to continue tearing it up now that his confidence is growing.

[GettinIggyWithIt]

Originally Posted by Ruttiger

Not sure I agree. With JG coming out of college and adjusting to the NHL grind and extended schedule, I expect the opposite will happen if anything. I expect he'll show signs of wearing down through the dog days of January and February.

Could be wrong though. He's right there with the other two - could legitimately make a case for all three. And if Michael Hutchinson was getting a few more starts I think you'd have to include him as well.

Fair enough - it's entirely possible. However, Forsberg is in a similar situation if I am not mistaken. I think the most games he's ever played was last year when he split time between the AHL and NHL and played just over 60 games. Otherwise he was playing around the same number of games as Johnny.

However. I don't think it's just the total number of games, it's more the number of games that are played in a short period of time and Johnny seems to have adjusted well. I could see him improving as the season goes on. Right now though, it's pretty tight between the three and I actually give the edge to Ekblad as an 18 year old dman stepping into that role so seamlessly. Forsberg and Gaudreau are very close imo.

EDIT: I also think Klingberg in Dallas would be in the discussion if he had played a few more games. 18 GP - 10 P, + 6, over 20 minutes of ice time per game and he looks so smooth and poised out there.

[dash_pinched]

Scott Cullen predicted 55 points for Johnny Hockey this season and I remember posting that I woud be plesantly surprised if he reached that point plateau. He could actually hit 60+ points at his current pace.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

You will be wrong.

It's a confidence thing. You can see how tentative he was at the beginning of the season. Then he sat and started to play better. He started getting comfortable playing set-up man but wasn't shooting. Now he's started shooting more and the goals are coming.

He's gaining confidence, and the coaching staff are using him in all situations. I find it really hard to believe he drops off because he gets tired. You can see the fire in his eyes. He's going to continue tearing it up now that his confidence is growing.

Not sure you can so passionately declare he will be wrong. I can see your point as well, but JG not being used to such a long schedule, and the fact that he is so much less physically developed than the players he's playing against would certainly open up the door for a ware and tear to catch up with. That to me is just as likely as "his will and confidence will find a way" angle that that you're preaching.

It will be fun to see what happens, obviously I'm hoping your perspective wins out.

[getoverit]

imagine if Johny hockey had someone to play with Not that I want Cammy back, but man if we had a sniper to finish, his points would be considerably greater lol. Regardless heck of a feat for Johnny just being in the conversation

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by getoverit

imagine if Johny hockey had someone to play with

Someone like Jiri Hudler, who's outscoring him and being a great mentor to him?

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by getoverit

imagine if Johny hockey had someone to play with Not that I want Cammy back, but man if we had a sniper to finish, his points would be considerably greater lol. Regardless heck of a feat for Johnny just being in the conversation

Or if he just shot a few more times on some of the chances he creates all by himself.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

Someone like Jiri Hudler, who's outscoring him and being a great mentor to him?

I think his point was Gaudreau, at this point has show to be an elite level play maker......that's actually the type of player Hudler is as well, although he uses his shot at this point more than Gaudreau does.

I don't think it's silly to suggest if Gaurdreau (or Hudler) had a true trigger man to play with, a Cammy type player, both of their point totals would be higher, and we'd be benefiting from both of them even more. Getting (or developing) Gaudreau a true sniper to finish of the magic he creates has to be in the Flames long term plans to maximise him as an asset.

[Erick Estrada]

Dale Tallon should be fired outright for even entertaining a trade of that first pick. I wish teams with the first overall pick would quit embarrassing themselves with the trade nonsense.

[Finger Cookin]

Yes, Gaudreau would have more points if he played with Steven Stamkos. As would any other Flame forward. Glad we've established that.

[Winsor_Pilates]

3 amazing rookies, just glad we have 1 of them!

[Igster]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

Yes, Gaudreau would have more points if he played with Steven Stamkos. As would any other Flame forward. Glad we've established that.

Holidays are making people cranky.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

Yes, Gaudreau would have more points if he played with Steven Stamkos. As would any other Flame forward. Glad we've established that.

Don't be all sad cause you missed the point and got all snooty. Just accept the person you tried to make fun of actually had a good point and move on. It's just your foolish pride getting in the way man, don't do that.

[Finger Cookin]

They didn't have a good point.