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

[FeyWest]

For me I especially want Johnny to win it if not just to spite the sens fans because it sickens me to listen to the vitriol they are goin on about Stone being waaaay better than Johnny and everybody else. Stones great, ekblad and Forsberg are too, the top 4 are all equally worthy and Johnny wouldn't care either way he's such a gamer and humble guy but I really want him to win and really deserves it because of all the doubters and haters. He's been such a game changer for us when it matters especially against the Kings.

Go Johnny Calder!!

[nik-]

Yeah, the Sens fans have gone completely mental over this. It's a close close race, but in their minds it's so far and away Stone's that Johnny is irrelevant.

I'd say give it to him. That franchise needs something to hang on to.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by nik-

Yeah, the Sens fans have gone completely mental over this. It's a close close race, but in their minds it's so far and away Stone's that Johnny is irrelevant.

I'd say give it to him. That franchise needs something to hang on to.

The 1000 or so hardcore Sens fans really don't matter as they aren't voting. Canucks fans get deserved criticism for begin fair weather fans but the Senators fan base is almost as fickle as that building had plenty of empty seats this season as they are by far the worst of the Canadian franchises when it comes supporting their team with their wallets.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

The 1000 or so hardcore Sens fans really don't matter as they aren't voting. Canucks fans get deserved criticism for begin fair weather fans but the Senators fan base is almost as fickle as that building had plenty of empty seats this season.

Yeah, Vancouver isn't a great fanbase, but Ottawa is the least relevant Canadian team.

[kobasew19]

Living in Ottawa and given that my wife is a Sens fan, I have watched all the Sens game down the stretch. Stone has offensively lead the Sens to the playoffs. His two goals today (the second one was all Stone) cemented this. Honestly, he's just as important as Gaudreau. I could see the finalists being Stone, Forsberg and Gaudreau as the finalists with Ekblad being left off as his team isn't in the playoffs. When you're looking at the everything under a microscope, that might be a reason why Ekblad isn't a finalist.

[JohnnySkittles]

At one point I wouldn't have even considered Stone in the top 3, now? 50/50 between him and Gaudreau, and wouldn't be one bit disappointed if Stone won it, deserves it 100%. It's ultimately a pointless trophy guys (as shown by Gaudreau sitting), lets not get into a pissing match over which Canadian cities have the best fan base.

[_Q_]

Who cares if Gaudreau wins the Calder, he'll just go out and win the Conn Smythe in June instead.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by getbak

I think "just as instrumental" is the key. If Stone was far-and-away the reason the Sens made the playoffs, I think he could overcome Johnny. The fact is that the story of the year in Ottawa has been Hammond and Johnny has been at least as valuable to the Flames down the stretch as Stone was in Ottawa.

Forsberg was big to start the year, but has fallen off near the end. Stone had a slow start but picked it up late. Gaudreau has been consistently strong pretty much all season.

I think the final three will be: Gaudreau, Stone, and Ekblad.

This is the biggest thing with me. Stone has had a great season, but the only way he closed the scoring lead was with a serious point streak.

But then again that is all that matters. Next year he'll have an epic sophomore slump and Gaudreau will keep putting up consistent numbers.

Even the two goals today. Both were the result of bad giveaways. Sure the guy is clutch, but he was pretty much handed each goal on a silver platter.

I think you have to look at what Johnny brings to the game. He is the catalyst most of the time he is on the ice whereas Stone seems like the recipient most time he is on the ice.

[greentree]

imo Stone has been around too long to win the Calder over Gaudreau/Forsberg/Ekblad.

[Mattman]

Rookie of the Month
Oct: Pearson
Nov: Forsberg
Dec: Gaudreau
Jan: Klingberg
Feb: Lee
Mar: Gaudreau

Breaking the season down into thirds for this race (IMO):

Oct-Nov
1. Forsberg
2. Ekblad
3. Gaudreau

Dec-Jan
1. Gaudreau
2. Ekblad
3. Forsberg

Feb-Mar(Apr)
1. Gaudreau
2. Stone
3. Lee

The most consistent player would be Johnny Gaudreau. Stone can get all the recognition he wants but for me it would be criminal to give to award it to him over "Johnny Hockey".

It's also like saying Klingberg (Dallas) is a better defenseman than Ekblad becuase of the most recent months of play.

In the end it goes like this:

1. Gaudreau
2. Ekblad
3. Forsberg
HM: Stone, Lee, Klingberg, Hoffman

[EldrickOnIce]

^ Criminal?
He's tied in points, and every bit as important to his team.
I think Gaudreau should win it over Stone. I hope he does.
I would be fine with any of the 'top' guys, other than Forsberg.

[Daradon]

Typical Eastern Conference bias though, it's almost hard to blame Sens fans. They see less of us than we do of them. And when you add the media into the equation it just gets multiplied.

[FeyWest]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

^ Criminal?
He's tied in points, and every bit as important to his team.
I think Gaudreau should win it over Stone. I hope he does.
I would be fine with any of the 'top' guys, other than Forsberg.

Exactly, I'm not gonna be disillusioned and say nobody but Gaudreau deserves it, Gaudreau, Forsberg, Stone & Ekblad(less so, he's cooled and not in the Ploffs) but I really would like Gaudreau to win it, but I wouldn't be mad if any of them do.

[Mattman]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

^ Criminal?
He's tied in points, and every bit as important to his team.
I think Gaudreau should win it over Stone. I hope he does.
I would be fine with any of the 'top' guys, other than Forsberg.

Does it matter if Stone has 5 more or 5 less points than Gaudreau to finish the season?

1997 Calder - Bryan Berard 82 GP 8G 40A 48PTS

(Runner up: Jarome Iginla 82 GP 21G 50PTS)


The Calder should go to the rookie that's been consistent all year long, not the rookie point leader.

[FeyWest]

Originally Posted by Mattman

Does it matter if Stone has 5 more or 5 less points than Gaudreau to finish the season?

1997 Calder - Bryan Berard 82 GP 8G 40A 48PTS

(Runner up: Jarome Iginla 82 GP 21G 50PTS)


The Calder should go to the rookie that's been consistent all year long, not the rookie point leader.

To be fair Berard was a defenseman so to me that's a significant accomplishment for him that year. But I agree the Calder is the Rookie who was the most significant factor/contributor to their team and given the results Gaudreau & Stone are neck and neck, both huge reasons pulling them into the Ploffs. I can't comment on Stone never really seeing him play but I think for us Gaudreau definitely is up there too.

[dying4acup]

To be fair, the feeling on this board has been that if JOHNNY passed forsberg for the scoring lead, he should win. It's not fair to say Stone tying JOHNNY for it is insignificant.

In Gaudreau's favor is consistency and team success. I also think that late season failures by Nashville, and fallback by Forsberg is a factor.

In the end I fully think that Johnny should win. But if I was an ottawa fan, I definitely could see myself picking stone.

[Stay Golden]

All this Stone talk is annoying heats up last month. Wasn't on anyone in media's radar in Feb.
What is more annoying is Stone isn't a straight rookie like Gaudreau, or Ekblad.
Johnny and Ekblad are the only ones in the running that didn't play pro hockey prior. That is impressive.
Both Forsberg and Stone played 20-23 NHL games prior and 1-2 seasons of AHL.

[metal_geek]

Stone is good hockey player. Has size, strength, iq, vision. He's what you would put together if you could make a player from pieces. Johnny is the kinda player you make on xbox when you put all your points into skill and leave nothing in the size and strength category.

The difference for me is Johnny is an exceptional talent. He's they kind of player good nhl defenceman back off cause they need the space to react. He's very much like Kane in that manner.

In the end based on this season it's likely a coin toss between stone and Johnny. In reality there are far more stone type players to have come and gone then Johnny type players. In the years to come people will look back at the stone gaudreau race and laugh how johnny wasn't a clear cut winner.

[dino7c]

Stone played 25 NHL games before this season...sure he is technically a rookie but come on now. He played an NHL playoff game in 2011-12 for crying out loud

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by Mattman

Does it matter if Stone has 5 more or 5 less points than Gaudreau to finish the season?

1997 Calder - Bryan Berard 82 GP 8G 40A 48PTS

(Runner up: Jarome Iginla 82 GP 21G 50PTS)


The Calder should go to the rookie that's been consistent all year long, not the rookie point leader.

I hope Gaudreau wins. I think he deserves to win. I think the NHL would like it most if he won. And no, it shouldn't be a points race.
Was just saying it wouldn't be criminal if Gaudreau 'lost'.

Edit: Wasn't Berard a Dman? Ok - Fey got that above