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

[VaporTrail]

Johnny just beat MacKinnon's last season 63 pts Calder-winning campaign.

[Enoch Root]

If there was any doubt before last night, there isn't now. In the biggest game of the season, on National TV, and for all the marbles against the Cup champs, he was electric, out-of-your-seat entertaining, and dominant.

He now has the highest rookie point total in 7 years.

And now, he is not only leading the rookie scoring race, he is now on page one of the league scoring race (29th overall), ironically, tied with Patrick Kane.

It's over.

[Regorium]

I think Johnny's basically got it.

However, I think #2 is clearly Mark Stone. That guy has been lights out for Ottawa, and basically matched Johnny's production in 75% of the year (he was a 4th liner/PKer at the start of the year).

I would be slightly upset if Stone won, but not surprised at all.

[sureLoss]

You would think Johnny has it, but all it takes is a couple of the voters to leave Johnny to leave off their ballot, and someone else could win it.

Don't say that won't happen... *cough* Iginla was robbed *cough*

[Huntingwhale]

Hockey, Johnny has this locked up.

[Trailer Fire]

I have a feeling Stone is going to steal.

[Poe969]

Stone has played well but is no where close to the same skill as Johnny. The kid has been electrifying and is one of the reasons this team is in the playoffs. I'll give Johnny winning the Calder my lock of the week!

[burnitdown]

The media is really hyping up Stone and the Sens incredible playoff run right now. If the Sens make the playoffs and Stone has another big game then it's almost 50/50 between him and Johnny. Ekblad will definitely be in the mix too...and depending on the mindset of voters, could take it if he comes in 1st or 2nd on their ballots, while the others are more varied in their placing.

[flylock shox]

Amazing in a year where the Art Ross winner will barely be above a ppg, 3 rookies will have about the highest point totals in a decade.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by burnitdown

The media is really hyping up Stone and the Sens incredible playoff run right now.

Which media? TSN? Sportsnet? That's not going to influence voters in most of the cities in the States.

Gaudreau won Rookie of the Month twice. Stone didn't win it once. I wonder if a player has ever won the Calder without winning Rookie of the Month at least once?

Stone might squeeze Ekblad out of the top 3, but I can't see him overcoming the Johnny Hockey hype.

[Property Manager DB]

NHL.com seems to think Stone has a chance too.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=762205

Johnny Gaudreau (24-40-64) tallied 1-1-2 to open a two-point lead against Filip Forsberg (25-37-62) and Mark Stone (24-38-62) for the rookie scoring title. He also tied Tom Lysiak (1973-74: 19-45-64) for the fifth-most points by a rookie with the Flames.

I think Johnny's got it locked though

[CroFlames]

A nice $250k check in Vegas for a 21 year old? What could possibly go wrong?


Haha no Evander Kane or Johnny Football in our Johnny that is for sure. He will probably bring his dad along to Vegas for the ceremony (as he should IMO) and they'll have a nice steak dinner at The Cut and be in bed by 11PM.

I like that Johnny is (seemingly) grounded.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Trailer Fire

I have a feeling Stone is going to steal.

Not sure, as there will be only three finalist

Ekblad
Gaudreau
Forsberg
Stone

Which one of the four won't be nominated?

[PugnaciousIntern]

Originally Posted by Property Manager DB

NHL.com seems to think Stone has a chance too.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=762205


I think Johnny's got it locked though

Well that's just stating facts (stats). But regardless, NHL.com tends to hype everybody and cast a wide net because it's good for their business.

[You Need a Thneed]

The Whole hockey world watching the Flames send out Johnny, Sean, an Jiri, with 1:15 left in a 1 goal game against the defending Cup champs, fighting for their lives, and Johnny gloving the puck down, giving that nifty no look pass to Monohan, and two seconds later, the game is iced with the EN Goal - that clinched the Calder for Gaudreau, IMO.

Two rookie of the Month awards - no one else has two.
Should end up as the points leader
Consistancy
Often the best forward on the ice.
Often leads the Flames' forwards in ice time.
Hasn't faded down the stretch.
Not sheltered.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by pylon

Holy crap. I knew Johnny was small, but only 7" tall?

Remarkable.

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by flambers

Not sure, as there will be only three finalist

Ekblad
Gaudreau
Forsberg
Stone

Which one of the four won't be nominated?

All four will be nominated, for sure. The "Finalists" are just the top three vote getters. I imagine that all 4 will recieve votes, along with others.

[jemjey]

Was getting into a heated debate with sens fans about this last night.

Their arguments for Stone:

More ES points (as if that makes a difference)

My arguments for Johnny:

NHL all star
2-time rookie of the month
Plays best in the biggest games
Has had a bigger impact for longer

[IamNotKenKing]

Originally Posted by flambers

Not sure, as there will be only three finalist

Ekblad
Gaudreau
Forsberg
Stone

Which one of the four won't be nominated?

The "finalists" are simply the top three in votes getting invited to the ceremony. No one gets nominated to attend.

Calder Memorial Trophy
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. The winner is selected in a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association at the end of the regular season and each individual voter ranks their top five candidates on a 10-7-5-3-1 points system. Three finalists are named and the trophy is awarded at the NHL Awards ceremony after the playoffs.

[AC]

Yep some local homer voters will give their rookie an undeserved 1st place vote (like Horvat in Vancouver). It always happens when you see the final results.