[News] 2014/2015 Calder Finalists: Gaudreau, Ekblad, Stone

[Geeoff]

Nice to not see Forsberg in the mix. I think Johnny takes the western vote and the US vote. Close race between Gaudreau and Stone

[Resolute 14]

I've only seen a couple tweets from voting writers, but they went Ekblad. My personal guess is 55% chance Gaudreau, 45% chance Ekblad. Stone in third, but only due to lack of overall hype, not because of play.

[SuperMatt18]

I feel like Stone wins.

Too much hype from Ottawa's amazing run right when the votes were being cast.

[psicodude]

How many votes will go to Ekblad because defense is a much more difficult position to play, though?

I know it isn't supposed to matter, but you would have to think getting your team into the second round would help Johnny.

[jg13]

If i'm not mistaken the voting has already been done and the NHL knows who the winner is prior to the playoffs so that the voters can't change their mind based on playoff play.

Could very easily be wrong here but I assumed that is the most fair way to do it.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by psicodude

I know it isn't supposed to matter, but you would have to think getting your team into the second round would help Johnny.

playoffs don't have an influence on the results because the voting was done before the playoffs started.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by psicodude

I know it isn't supposed to matter, but you would have to think getting your team into the second round would help Johnny.

Voting is now closed, no?

I think the postseason doesn't affect any award. Well, except the Conn Smythe.

[OzSome]

Not a surprise here. Forsberg just pretty much lost out after the 3rd quarter of the season. Mark Stone got hot late in the season but I still think Johnny Hockey will win this and Stone is close 2nd.

[getbak]

Yup, voting is done. These are just the top three. The accountants already know the winner.

[You Need a Thneed]

In a battle of a top three with two from the Eastern Conference, and one from the Western Conference, the eastern bias should give this to Johnny.

It was a really good crop of rookies this year. No shame in losing out to anyone on the list.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

It was a really good crop of rookies this year. No shame in losing out to anyone on the list.

Forsberg had 63 points
Hoffman scored 27 goals
Klingberg had 40 points as a defenseman

and yet those didn't even make the top 3. All in all, surely the best rookie group in years.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Meh... doesn't really matter, losing doesn't make JH a worse player, or lessen his spectacular year. Personally, I don't view the awards the press vote on to be as legitimate as the ones players/managers vote on. Don't really care if some random people think, especially when a lot of them probably didn't watch JH player more than a couple times. In my perfect world, players would vote on player awards... who cares what the writers think? They aren't any more knowledgeable than the average hardcore fan.

[getbak]

The Western bias, especially the Pacific Division media, should definitely go to Johnny (if you cover the Kings, how could you not vote for him?). The Eastern Canadian bias will lean towards Stone. The NE US bias should be behind their local kid, Johnny.

Those who favoured Ekblad because of his age and inexperience should have Johnny ahead of Stone for the same reason.


This is definitely one of those years where the player who gets the most first place votes might still come in second when the points are added up.

Forsberg probably got more first place votes than the second place guy gets most seasons.

[1_Flames_Fan]

Gaudreau: 45%
Stone: 35%
Ekblad: 20%

[YYC in LAX]

Originally Posted by 1_Flames_Fan

Gaudreau: 45%
Stone: 35%
Ekblad: 20%

I sure hope so

[Finger Cookin]

Prediction: Ekblad's age prevails over Stone's finish and Johnny's season.

[Mass_nerder]

I have a pretty strong feeling Ekblad is going to get it.
I'll be bummed, but it's understandable. It seems like every talking head thinks that position is the most important factor.

[Hockey_Ninja]

Go Johnny Go!

[Dion]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I feel like Stone wins.

Too much hype from Ottawa's amazing run right when the votes were being cast.

Let us not forget that Gaudreau played 4 years of college hockey out East. He's not an unknown player to hockey writers who plays for a Western team.

The Flames also had an amazing run also when you consider they had to deal with the injury to Gio. I would go further and say our run was more significant when you consider that most hockey writers figured we would be in the running for McDavid.

[Magnum PEI]

I think Duhatschek and Friedman said they would vote for Ekblad. Didnt see much of him but it seemed like he played sheltered zone starts and 2nd pairing minutes. It be like voting Wideman for Norris. Not sure if Johnny will win but I think he deserves it over Ekblad.