Tkachuk for Calder musing on NHL.com

[belsarius]

At even strength, Tkachuk leads the Flames with 20 points. That's four behind Matthews and ranks fourth among rookies.

Wow I didn't realize he was leading the Flames at even strength. His Points/60 mins is also pretty impressive, while it is still behind Laine and Matthews, at 2.82 he is just ahead of Patrick Kane at 33rd in the league.

[EldrickOnIce]

Given Tkachuk's zone starts, his points/60 even is pretty amazing.

[Enoch Root]

That was a well written article - I am not used to eastern writers that appear to have some actual knowledge of what is going on with the Flames.

Agree that Matthews and Laine are currently at the top, and that Tkachuk is somewhere in the 3-5 range currently (with Werenski and Marner). However, while the others got off to hot starts, Tkachuk has been the most consistent of any of them and is slowly, steadily reeling them all in.

Tkachuk has actually been getting better as the season wears on. I would not be surprised at all if he ends up in the final 3. Though there is some stiff competition this year, that is for sure.

[Iniggywetrust]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

I think people forget that Matt Murray is a rookie.

In his 17GS:
13-3-1

Win% - 1st (.765)
SV% - T6th (.928)
GAA - 8th (2.18)

For whatever reason though, Pittsburgh is giving the majority of starts (23) to Fleury, despite Murray crushing him in every statistical category, including win%. Fleury's SV% and GAA are outside of the top 30.

If Murray can finish the season with >40GP while maintaining his play, then I think he needs to be 1 of the nominations.

Matthews
Werenski
Murray

Hes been hurt for a couple weeks. That's why Fleury is starting.

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by Tyler

Yeah, why do our amazing rookies always have to start their careers during a phenom's rookie season? Bad luck.

Bad luck? If the phenoms weren't there, then the players Calgary drafted wouldn't be available during Calgary's spot. If Matthews and Laine don't exist, Tkachuk likely gets drafted in the top 3. Calgary either doesn't get him at 6, or has to move assets to trade up.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

That was a well written article - I am not used to eastern writers that appear to have some actual knowledge of what is going on with the Flames.

Rob Vollman is Calgary-based.

[The Fonz]

Originally Posted by Iniggywetrust

Hes been hurt for a couple weeks. That's why Fleury is starting.

[Tron_fdc]

Still can't believe we got him at 6 overall.

I would be crying myself to sleep at night if he was playing for Edm or Van and on pace for 60 points as an 18yr old rookie, while driving everyone nuts on the ice.

The thought of that makes me want to vomit.

[Robbob]

With Tkachuck being in the neighborhood points wise (he is currently 10 points out), obviously he needs to get a little closer but if he finishes the season close in points it will be hard not to be in the conversation. All the things outside of points he is probably crushing the Calder field. Doing all those other things at his age should account for something, especially if his team is still playing in mid April.

[Bourque's Twin]

Even though it's only halfway through his first season I'm confident that Tkachuk will be a better player than Puljujarvi. Tkachuk is a winner and he isn't afraid of anything, including the physical aspects of the game or stepping up under pressure.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Robbob

All the things outside of points he is probably crushing the Calder field. Doing all those other things at his age should account for something, especially if his team is still playing in mid April.

For a forward, yes. But defencemen always get a bump from Calder voters, given how tough it is to learn the position, and Werenski is playing over 21 minutes a night and quarterbacks the powerplay of the best team in the NHL.

[Violator]

Mathews will probably win hes gotta the eastern votes in the bag.

[MarkGio]

Yeah the voting is always bias towards points and name. Murray and Werenski deserve it because they're relatively harder positions for a rookie. But Matthews will win it being in Toronto and all that.

[Stud_McCool]

No love for Jesse Poolparty?

[dino7c]

well they nominate 3 he is in the conversation

[Robbob]

Werenski is hell of a player and I definitely think he is in the mix.

[FlamesFanStrandedInEDM]

If Laine and Matthews played for Carolina and Arizona, maybe he would have a shot.


But in a year when Toronto has 3 solid candidates, not a chance. If Laine wasn't in the equation, I wouldn't be completely shocked if the Toronto media go Matthews, Marner, and Nylander sweeping the Calder nominations.

[Beninho]

Still mad Johnny got snubbed for the calder, that was such BS. As for Tkachuk the dude is getting better every game. If he keeps up this progression he will be a 50 plus point rookie who is on the Flames shutdown line and gets constant defensive zone starts. He is such a complete player already it's amazing. It's so rare that a rookie has such a polished game already let alone the player that was picked 6th overall. I thought we got ####ed when we lost the lottery but it looks like we may have got the 3rd best player anyways. Kid is just a beast and any Calder consideration is just a bonus.

[Erick Estrada]

Because he plays in Calgary and Matthews plays in Toronto he's going to have to likely exceed Matthews in points to get into the conversation for Calder. TSN is still playing Matthews highlight reel goal in game one of the season over and over for crying out loud. At the end of the day though it's just an individual trophy so even if he flies under the radar in his rookie season it's looking like the Flames got a very good player at 6th overall once again.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Beninho

Still mad Johnny got snubbed for the calder, that was such BS. As for Tkachuk the dude is getting better every game. If he keeps up this progression he will be a 50 plus point rookie who is on the Flames shutdown line and gets constant defensive zone starts. He is such a complete player already it's amazing. It's so rare that a rookie has such a polished game already let alone the player that was picked 6th overall. I thought we got ####ed when we lost the lottery but it looks like we may have got the 3rd best player anyways. Kid is just a beast and any Calder consideration is just a bonus.

He lost to Ekblad, a real stud defenceman who was only 18-19, playing a tough position and who will be a Norris winner eventually IMO. He also IIRC finished after Stone who tied him in points and had more goals (but quite a bit more NHL experience).

You can debate the choice all you want but it wasn't a snub.