Calder Trophy Race: Johnny Gaudreau v Filip Forsberg & Ekblad too

[jg13]

I remember at the beginning of the season people had Drouin penciled in as a calder favourite.

2 goals in 57 games.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by jg13

I remember at the beginning of the season people had Drouin penciled in as a calder favourite.

2 goals in 57 games.

And 24 assists. It's not like he's only got 5 points or anything.

He's been far from what I (or most others) expected, but bringing up only the 2 goals and nothing else is ridiculous.

[calumniate]

Amazing he's only within a couple points of guys like Phil Kessel and Jeff Carter!

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by cannon7

Not sure I like Gaudreau's nomination for the Calder as being based on his "hype". Yes the nickname "Johnny Hockey" has garnered a lot of media attention, but the player has more than backed it up.

Not sure how you can even suggest this. Who out there would be considering him just on hype and not his insane productiveness?

People are suggesting that - in addition to his stellar offensive numbers - the hype among the east coast media might finally work in our favour for a change.

I don't see anyone suggesting he's going to win on hype alone.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Pure numbers wise, Forsberg leads of course. Ekblad will get "plays tough position" credit.

But Johnny has name recognition, a great story, highlight reel plays, and backs it up with points as well. Look at who got the lion's share of media play at the all-star game, even though all three were in it.

Don't underestimate Forsberg's hype. There was a great deal of talk about him early in the season that pretty much cemented him as the early, and easy, favourite. The other guys have been playing catch-up.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by codynw

And 24 assists. It's not like he's only got 5 points or anything.

He's been far from what I (or most others) expected, but bringing up only the 2 goals and nothing else is ridiculous.

I recall watching some Drouin videos during the run-up to that draft, and while there was undeniable skill there, I remember thinking to myself that all the moves he was making (i.e., dancing through 4 terrible pylons, having way too much time and space while doing all his fancy pants moves) would be a lot harder to translate in the NHL once you faced better Dmen.

One could probably say the same thing about Gaudreau of course...but it seems like Drouin has had a bit tougher of a time translating his game. While I'm sure he'll figure it out eventually and go on to become a star, these are also the types of guys who tend to be a little more hit or miss.

[burnitdown]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

ESPN needs to just stay away from hockey, they have absolutely no clue and always report or say something beyond stupid.

Bob McKenzie had a similar tweet a couple weeks ago saying it was a two-horse race between Ekblad and Forsberg. He then followed it up saying he hoped Hutchinson would be the 3rd nominee. So it's not just ESPN...

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Table 5

I recall watching some Drouin videos during the run-up to that draft, and while there was undeniable skill there, I remember thinking to myself that all the moves he was making (i.e., dancing through 4 terrible pylons, having way too much time and space while doing all his fancy pants moves) would be a lot harder to translate in the NHL once you faced better Dmen.

One could probably say the same thing about Gaudreau of course...but it seems like Drouin has had a bit tougher of a time translating his game. While I'm sure he'll figure it out eventually and go on to become a star, these are also the types of guys who tend to be a little more hit or miss.

Yeah, his style demands a bit more of a learning curve to adjust to the speed and physicality of the NHL. He is still only 19 years old of course. I think he will be having a much larger impact by the time he is 21 or 22.

[IgiTang]

The wonder about Drouin is the same wonder I have about McDavid.

McDavid makes guys look silly in Jr. So did Drouin(whom I seen live a couple times in Halifax)

McDavid was not dominant against the best in the world against his Pier's in the WJC.

It makes me wonder how successful he will be in the NHL. Early on anyway...

That's why I think the safer pick is Eichel. Eichel reminds me a lot of Toews.

[Hackey]

McDavid was scoring at an insane pace before his injury. I'd put more stock in that than one tournament. 11pts in 7 games is still good production.

[H2SO4(aq)]

Mcdavid was pretty damn good in the juniors, especially for his age.

Pier's.. I'll just assume that was autocorrect.

[HOWITZER]

Fair deal, Ekblad gets the Calder if Johnny gets this...

[AC]

Originally Posted by midniteowl

Montreal media snubbed Iggy on the Hart trophy vote

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

What would skew the numbers is if, say, a Florida writer puts Ekblad first and drops Gaudreau and Forsberg down to ninth and tenth on his ballot. That is what the Montreal voter did to screw Iginla out of the Hart.

This always gets mentioned, but its not an accurate picture.

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sport...rds-totals.htm


Iginla was on 61 ballots, while Theodore was only on 58... so Theodore was left off of more ballots than Jarome was.

They were tied in points but Jarome also only received 23 1st place votes, while Theodore received 26.

Theodore also carried his team to the playoffs while the Flames didn't qualify, which will always be a factor for the voters (rightly or wrongly).

Regardless, Iggy won the Lester B. Pearson / Ted Lindsay Award. The MVP as voted by the players themselves. That seems way more legitimate than the media's voting.

[Mattman]

I think Johnny could very well win this.

- American player, born out east, on a break out Canadian team appeals to a large demographic of people.
- 4th round pick over looked for his sized breaks out as one of the best players on a surprise playoff team with no star players (yet).

He's very very close to Forsberg in points and I think he can catch up to him based on how well Calgary is clicking and how Forsberg is in a bit of a slump.

Ekblad is an exceptional player for 18 years old! It's too bad he's in a market like Florida because he should be getting way more attention. They have a great team, but not a good hockey market.

They are all tied for 1st right now in my books, but I think Johnny's got the edge.

Also do you think Forsberg and Ekblad have had their names chanted in multiple games by their fans?
Because Johnny Hockey sure has!

[getbak]

Originally Posted by InCoGnEtO

Yesterday, ESPN had an online chat with their hockey writers, and Craig Constance said the Calder race is between Forsberg and Ekblad. He felt the 3rd nomination was going to go to Hutchinson. When asked about Gaudreau, he brushed it off as a 'non-playoff team'.

What a weird line of thought considering Florida is out of a playoff spot and the Flames are no more closer to elimination than Winnipeg (who will be out of a playoff spot if LA gets at least a point tonight). Besides, the Calder is the one trophy where being on a playoff team means the least.

Originally Posted by dino7c

Forsberg played pro hockey all last year and even some NHL games maybe that should work against him

If he had played one more NHL game in 2012-13, he wouldn't even be eligible for the Calder this year.

[herashak]

Drouin is playing sheltered minutes behind their kid line and the stamkos line for the most part. He isn't having the season he was hyped to have but i wouldn't be surprised to see him become a dominant player as soon as next year when he get's promoted.

[OzSome]

The latest Eastern road trip New York, New Jersey, Boston, Philly and others probably helped Gaudreau's exposures. But I don't think it is enough for him to win against Forsberg or Ekblad unless he goes on a tear. He will still get a lot of considerations though. Don't get me wrong I wanted to see Gaudreau win the Calder but there's a lot of voters from the East haven't had a chance to see him play because they are probably in bed already when the Flames play.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by herashak

Drouin is playing sheltered minutes behind their kid line and the stamkos line for the most part. He isn't having the season he was hyped to have but i wouldn't be surprised to see him become a dominant player as soon as next year when he get's promoted.

I only watched him 4 times but from what I saw Drouin doesn't use his teammates very well, Brian Campbell gave him the hairy eyeball in one game. he's shows he can be dynamic but I'm not sold on his hockey IQ, perhaps another Yakupov!

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by codynw

And 24 assists. It's not like he's only got 5 points or anything.

He's been far from what I (or most others) expected, but bringing up only the 2 goals and nothing else is ridiculous.

Playing on a powerhouse team like TB, anybody could pick up the occasional assist or two.

Fyi, Cammalleri has the same number of goals that Drouin has assists in the same number of games. ... just saying.

[Poe969]

So what you're saying is that if we would have traded Cammy for Drouin, we would have got hosed?