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

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by RyZ

I think Reinhart is just bored. It happens fairly frequently with elite drafted players to dip in production after their draft year if they don't make the NHL. Geztlafs last season with the Hitmen was almost funny when he was on the ice. You half expected him to pull out a pillow and lay down at center ice for how hard he was trying out there and almost dipped below a point per game pace.

Reinhart is going to be just fine.

I could see this if he didn't look bad in the NHL which should be enough to motivate the guy to get better. If I were Buffalo I'd be a bit worried (although he was good at the world juniors).

[Hockey Fan #751]

If the Jets make the playoffs (probably a long shot), Hutchinson will win because he'll be one of the biggest reasons they do make it.

[The Yen Man]

Has Hutchinson been that good? All the games I've seen him in, he looks ok, but not Calder trophy level. It's not like Steve Mason during his rookie year.

[Gaudfather]

CBC article on Calder candidates - Johnny leads in voting.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/...ophy-1.2994461

Nashville’s Filip Forsberg tops the NHL rookie scoring race with 53 points while Ottawa’s Mark Stone and Mike Hoffman have 44 and 42 points, respectively. Drouin, on the other hand, has 26 points in 58 contests.

Unlike Forsberg, who has two points in his past 11 starts, Gaudreau hasn’t seen his production tail off. In fact, he’s thriving late in the season, having played 20-plus minutes in three of his last five games.

[GioforPM]

Whenever I see a couple writers say the same thing that's a little out of the blue, like with Hutchinson, I think an agent has been making some calls and putting bugs in their ears.

[RyZ]

Originally Posted by Hockey Fan #751

If the Jets make the playoffs (probably a long shot), Hutchinson will win because he'll be one of the biggest reasons they do make it.

Just like Ekblad being one of the major reasons if Florida makes it or Gaudreau being one of the major reasons the Flames might make it or Forsberg being one of the major reasons that Nashville is one of the top teams in the league?

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

Has Hutchinson been that good? All the games I've seen him in, he looks ok, but not Calder trophy level. It's not like Steve Mason during his rookie year.

He's been simply brutal since the all star break.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by RyZ

Just like Ekblad being one of the major reasons if Florida makes it or Gaudreau being one of the major reasons the Flames might make it or Forsberg being one of the major reasons that Nashville is one of the top teams in the league?

I'd argue Ekblad is bigger for Fla than Hutchinson is for Winnipeg because of Buf (until he got hurt). Alternatively, without Forsberg, Nashville has a lot less offence.

But I don't think the Calder has been based in the past on team success. In fact, lots of winners come from struggling teams who have to give a rookie more ice time. Or from good team who can shelter the rookie thus giving them good point production.

[Gaudfather]

Originally Posted by RyZ

Just like Ekblad being one of the major reasons if Florida makes it or Gaudreau being one of the major reasons the Flames might make it or Forsberg being one of the major reasons that Nashville is one of the top teams in the league?

Ron Maclean was saying in this segment (from 6:24 mark to the end). Ron was saying that Johnny has changed everything for the Flames. He says when Johnny is on the ice he has backed off other teams defences. Every team is on their heels when Gaudreau is on the ice. That has opened the door for players like Monahan and everyone else. An amazing story of one guy changing everything.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/590/dean-blu...cdavid-flames/

[Rerun]

When Gaudreau is on the ice I tend to only watch him... just to see what he'll do next.
I've never done that with a Flame player before.

I doubt I'm the only fan that does that either.

[Walter Reed]

All 3 are very worthy candidates IMO, maybe just because his more difficult position I might give the nod to Ekblad.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by Walter Reed

All 3 are very worthy candidates IMO, maybe just because his more difficult position I might give the nod to Ekblad.

Way to go out on a limb with a fresh take on things.

[Robo]

If I didn't read this board I wouldn't have any idea ekblad is doing well every couple of days gaudreau has some kind of story on him on tsn, seems gaudreau gets a lot more exposure

[Muta]

Yesterday, Ken King hypothesized that Gaudreau will be making between $4 and 7M AAV on his next contract.

[jg13]

Gaudreau now tied with Forsberg for the rookie lead in scoring.

[LockedOut]

Talk about two guys who were headed on the same path and then the last 10 games they`ve headed in the opposite direction. Gaudreau`s taken his game up another notch while Forsberg is really struggling as is his team.

[AcGold]

It's easy to watch Gaudreau because of his stature and his skating style it's obvious when he's on the ice. That distinctive style makes him a fan favorite, I too focus on him when he's on the ice.

Just love watching him turn a meaningless situation into a scoring chance, he creates space and time better than almost anyone in the league.

[Tyler]

Guys, Johnny's gonna tire out because he never played this many games in College!

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Tyler

Guys, Johnny's gonna tire out because he never played this many games in College!

It certainly looked for a bit like maybe the long season was getting to him but he's looked as good lately as any time in the season.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by Rerun

When Gaudreau is on the ice I tend to only watch him... just to see what he'll do next.
I've never done that with a Flame player before.

I doubt I'm the only fan that does that either.

Fleury in the 90's was the same for me.