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

[BACKCHECK!!!]

When Erik Karlsson is in serious consideration for his SECOND Norris Trophy as the best defenceman in the NHL, I just can't see how anyone can take the NHL awards seriously in any way.

He already has more Norris Trophies than Shea Weber, Drew Doughty, Alex Pietrangelo, and Mark Giordano COMBINED.

They could give the Calder to an inanimate carbon rod, and I'd be 0% surprised.

[Mattman]

Karlsson is a fantastic player!!!
(But you don't see him out there for defensive situations.)

The trophy for the best defenseman should go to the best DEFENSEMAN, otherwise this is just turning into the "Art Ross for Defenseman Trophy".

Shea Weber gets it in my opinion. Fantastic player and is a great leader and it doesn't matter if he's putting up points because he's stopping other teams from scoring.



Also WTF!?? Denis "Fricken" Wideman has 56 points after last nights game and is 4th for points by defensemen.

1. Erik Karlsson 66 pts
2. P.K Subban 60 pts
3. Brent Burns 59 pts
4. Denis Wideman 56 pts
5. Roman Josi 55 pts

[Money Baer]

Stone has definitely worked himself into consideration. Played a massive role in getting the Sens to the playoffs (more than likely).

1. Gaudreau
2. Ekblad
3. Forsberg
4. Stone

[BACKCHECK!!!]

Hartley for Jack Adams, Gaudreau for Calder, Giordano for Norris, and Monahan with a 35-point night against the Jets for the Art Ross. Brodie for the Conn Smyth.

[GGG]

For all the stone is better defensively and gets the pk talk, Johnny was on the ice in the last minute of a 1 goal game to clinch a playoff spot. So just because the coach doesn't use him on the PK should detract from his status. He is relied on in all situations by his team both offensively and defensively.

Overall I think Johnny wins because of hype. He's locked up the Boston, NewYork, Pennsylvania vote. The road trip when Gio got hurt was the Gaudreau show. Whose going to win, no name player playing his 3rd pro season on some small market Canadian team Orr 5-9 hobey baker winning, World jr winning, American superstar in the making who led his team to the playoffs.

Johnny is the better story so he will get the votes.

[Erick Estrada]

Stone doesn't stand a chance. He plays for Ottawa (the team Canadians care about the least) and most of the US writers have no clue who he is. Heck half the Canadian media probably couldn't put his name to his face. That's not a slight against what has been a stellar season but it's what he's up against. I would be stunned if Gaudreau doesn't take the award but if he loses out it's not going to be to Stone as it will be either Ekblad or Forsberg.

[Itse]

I think there's going to be at least a few bunch of old-school hockey guys that will have an irrational emotional dislike for "stupid nickname all-flash looks like a nerdy teenager" Gaudreau, and will rather vote for Stone that much better fits their idea of what hockey players are "supposed to be". Especially as mentioned there are perfectly valid reasons that speak for Stone.

I'm guessing Gaudreau gets it, but really I don't care much.

It's a good bunch of players to be compared to, that's enough for me.

[driveway]

Originally Posted by BACKCHECK!!!

When Erik Karlsson is in serious consideration for his SECOND Norris Trophy as the best defenceman in the NHL, I just can't see how anyone can take the NHL awards seriously in any way.

He already has more Norris Trophies than Shea Weber, Drew Doughty, Alex Pietrangelo, and Mark Giordano COMBINED.

They could give the Calder to an inanimate carbon rod, and I'd be 0% surprised.

[Trailer Fire]

Stone just scored the go ahead goal in the biggest game of the year for the Sens. I think its going to be a lot tighter than we think for the Calder.

[Samiz]

Originally Posted by Trailer Fire

Stone just scored the go ahead goal in the biggest game of the year for the Sens. I think its going to be a lot tighter than we think for the Calder.

A feat that Gaudreau accomplished 2 days ago

[Vinny01]

Stone is pretty awesome plays a solid 2way game as well. I personally never heard of the guy until this year. Johnny had the hype and had the major skepticism and he proved to everyone again he is a special talent at any level. Johnny take this one easily he is the more impressive and exciting player.

Johnny had the potential to be a "face of the NHL" type player (I mean one of 5-6 players everyone knows about around the world) with his combination of skill, vision, speed and the fact he is so small

[Trailer Fire]

Originally Posted by Samiz

A feat that Gaudreau accomplished 2 days ago

I hate having to repeat myself, but here it is: I have a feeling the race for the Calder is going to be a lot tighter than we think it is.

[Savvy27]

I've really enjoyed watching Stone play. He is an extremely clever player and has been clutch as it gets for that team.

No clue who wins the Calder, but I think this is a just a year where it is so tight that there is no great insult for any of the worthy candidates if they don't get it.

[oldschoolcalgary]

i think that is will be a tough race...

Stone and Ottawa's push has been arguably as unexpected as Calgary's and Gaudreau.

out of Ekblad, Forsberg, Stone and Gaudreau, its pretty hard to cut one of those guys out of the nominees let alone choose one...

Gaudreau and Stone, imo, should be the front runners because what they have done late when the pressure cooker is the highest.

[EldrickOnIce]

^ and when Gaudreau/Stone/Forsberg split the forward vote (if there is such a thing), it wouldn't be surprising to see it won by Ekblad

[White Out 403]

Johnny Hockey, Stone, Forsberg and Ekblad are all very worthy candidates. Tough choice!

[JohnnySkittles]

I think it comes down to Johnny, Stone, and Ekblad. But espesically Johnny and Stone.

[PugnaciousIntern]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

^ and when Gaudreau/Stone/Forsberg split the forward vote (if there is such a thing), it wouldn't be surprising to see it won by Ekblad

Luckily they vote for 5 players in a ranking system, which greatly reduces this effect.

[CroFlames]

It's is kind of annoying that the Norris is basically the Art Ross for Defensemen like someone said.

The NHL awards that are voted on I tend to disagree with the results.

[Kickazzflames]

Stone and Johnny tied in points now.