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

[T@T]

Originally Posted by 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

He's now thru his ELC and is an RFA in June.

[dying4acup]

Not sure by any means, but from what I observed, Johnny took the pregame skate, and CHOSE not to play.

Could have easily gained a point. But didn't care.

So as Calder goes. Could win. But doesn't care. He wants a cup. He wants a CONN SMYTHE.
Might have to fight Monny for it thought.

[Komskies]

Originally Posted by 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

Not just that but Stone had 123 games of professional hockey experience under his belt going into this season. Johnny had 1.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by dying4acup

Not sure by any means, but from what I observed, Johnny took the pregame skate, and CHOSE not to play.

Could have easily gained a point. But didn't care.

So as Calder goes. Could win. But doesn't care. He wants a cup. He wants a CONN SMYTHE.
Might have to fight Monny for it thought.

If it gets to that point of arguing who our Conn Smythe candidate is, I shall be exceedingly happy.

My prediction would be Brodie though when it's all said and done.

[GGG]

How many nhl games make you ineligible for the Calder?

Right now it's up to our media team to bring home the Calder for Johnny. Video should be being spammed out, stats should be manipulated, to position Johnny as the only vote.

The key will be to get 100% of the US vote for Johnny instead of forsberg or eckblad.

[Locke]

Johnny is alright I guess but this season was nowhere near his PPG pace from his first season. Its all a bit disappointing if you ask me. He really let us down this year.

[AC]

Originally Posted by GGG

How many nhl games make you ineligible for the Calder?

Right now it's up to our media team to bring home the Calder for Johnny. Video should be being spammed out, stats should be manipulated, to position Johnny as the only vote.

The key will be to get 100% of the US vote for Johnny instead of forsberg or eckblad.

25 games, and Stone had 24 coming in this year IIRC.

[JJ1532]

According to the NHL website, its 25 or more in any preceding season(19 last season) or 6 games in the 2 preceding seasons(19 last season, 5 in 12-13). So he was 6 and 1 games away from being ineligible.

[N-E-B]

Gaudreau wins it in my mind for several reasons (I'm trying to be as unbiased as possible, but let's face it, I am biased):

1. Tied for lead in points by rookies
2. Played in All-Star game, Stone did not, because Johnny has been consistent ALL YEAR, not for just a month and a half.
3. Stone is in his 3rd season of professional hockey
4. Gaudreau is younger (I know many of you think this factor should not count, but I think it does)
5. Johnny Gaudreau means way more to the success of his team than Mark Stone. That team was led by Hammond and Karlsson, the Flames by their top line. I believe that losing Gaudreau hurts the Flames more than losing Stone hurts the Senators
6. Gaudreau is a way more exciting player to watch. Points aside, every time he touches the puck something happens.
7. Gaudreau already has a reputation and hype around him

Mark Stone should absolutely 100% be nominated for the Calder over Forsberg in my mind, but Johnny Gaudreau should win it hands down. Just my opinion. I think it's a two horse race. Both these guys have blown Ekblad/Forsberg/Klingberg out of the water recently.

[Hackey]

Johnny has been getting attention the entire year where as Stone only really got talked about down the stretch. The extra exposure I think will give him the win.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

4. Gaudreau is younger (I know many of you think this factor should not count, but I think it does)

If age is a factor, Ekblad probably wins... particularly playing a position more difficult to excel in as a younger player.

Stone, born 1992
Gaudreau, born 1993
Ekblad, born 1996

But I agree - Gaudreau should win.

[AcGold]

He was born in 96? Holy crap I feel old now

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by AcGold

He was born in 96? Holy crap I feel old now

I got divorced (the first time, I mean) in '96

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

Gaudreau wins it in my mind for several reasons (I'm trying to be as unbiased as possible, but let's face it, I am biased):

1. Tied for lead in points by rookies
2. Played in All-Star game, Stone did not, because Johnny has been consistent ALL YEAR, not for just a month and a half.
3. Stone is in his 3rd season of professional hockey
4. Gaudreau is younger (I know many of you think this factor should not count, but I think it does)
5. Johnny Gaudreau means way more to the success of his team than Mark Stone. That team was led by Hammond and Karlsson, the Flames by their top line. I believe that losing Gaudreau hurts the Flames more than losing Stone hurts the Senators
6. Gaudreau is a way more exciting player to watch. Points aside, every time he touches the puck something happens.
7. Gaudreau already has a reputation and hype around him

Mark Stone should absolutely 100% be nominated for the Calder over Forsberg in my mind, but Johnny Gaudreau should win it hands down. Just my opinion. I think it's a two horse race. Both these guys have blown Ekblad/Forsberg/Klingberg out of the water recently.

JG has two rookie of the month awards and Stone has none.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

B very.

[SportsJunky]

Steve Simmons says

I’ve been an Aaron Ekblad guy all season long, but how do you not vote Mark Stone now for rookie of the year? How?

[burnitdown]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

Gaudreau wins it in my mind for several reasons (I'm trying to be as unbiased as possible, but let's face it, I am biased):

1. Tied for lead in points by rookies
2. Played in All-Star game, Stone did not, because Johnny has been consistent ALL YEAR, not for just a month and a half.
3. Stone is in his 3rd season of professional hockey
4. Gaudreau is younger (I know many of you think this factor should not count, but I think it does)
5. Johnny Gaudreau means way more to the success of his team than Mark Stone. That team was led by Hammond and Karlsson, the Flames by their top line. I believe that losing Gaudreau hurts the Flames more than losing Stone hurts the Senators
6. Gaudreau is a way more exciting player to watch. Points aside, every time he touches the puck something happens.
7. Gaudreau already has a reputation and hype around him

Gaudreau played college hockey, which is a lot more similar to AHL level than junior. Can't give the edge to either player for that. If anything, Ekblad gets the edge over both of them.

Also, in terms of bringing success to their team down the stretch, Gaudreau had 29 points since the All-Star break compared to Hudler (37) and Monahan (32). Johnny had a big role but there were many players driving the Flames success - including Giordano, our goalies, Brodie, Russell, etc. Meanwhile, Stone finished the post-All-Star break as the 3rd leading scorer in the entire NHL (38 points in 35 games)! Only Benn and Tavares outpaced him...that's incredible!

Add to that how Stone wins the tie-breaker for the rookie scoring title (based off goals) and has the build-up of being a much better defensive player than Gaudreau (while still matching his offensive totals)...and I think it's very hard to argue Johnny should win it hands down. In fact, I'm not sure how you can argue it's anything but 50/50 at best for Johnny.

I want Johnny to win. I bet on him early in the year when he was a longshot to win the Calder, so it pays off for me to have him win. I'm just trying to temper my expectations as I'm feeling I'll be disappointed when the results come in.

[Heavy Jack]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

Steve Simmons says

Haha, classic east media bias in its full glory right here. Simmons is a hack, can't stand that guy.

[GGG]

If you bet on Johnny you should hedge now and lock in your winnings. Especially if you can hedge now and get better than double your bet. I would put it at 50/50

[burnitdown]

Originally Posted by GGG

If you bet on Johnny you should hedge now and lock in your winnings. Especially if you can hedge now and get better than double your bet. I would put it at 50/50

Definitely...although Bodog hasn't offered any Calder bets in quite some time. I'm sure it'll come up just before the awards though.