2014-15 Calder Trophy Race

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Igster

Holidays are making people cranky.

Or leftovers from the losing streak......granted I haven't been around here that long but that was the most antagonistic I've ever seen this board.

How about Monahan to play with Johnny? Great release, nose for the net.

[heep223]

nm

[Locke]

Originally Posted by heep223

Or leftovers from the losing streak......granted I haven't been around here that long but that was the most antagonistic I've ever seen this board.

How about Monahan to play with Johnny? Great release, nose for the net.

Haha! You're new.

[Crumpy-Gunt]

Still cant get over the fact Forsberg was moved by the caps for Martin Erat..
What a horrible move.

[Dan02]

If Johnny and forsberg keep up their pace they've been on, Ekblad would probably have to hit 60 points to take the Calder home, he's currently on pace for 48.

[mile]

Originally Posted by Dan02

If Johnny and forsberg keep up their pace they've been on, Ekblad would probably have to hit 60 points to take the Calder home, he's currently on pace for 48.

Why 60? Only two defenseman last year had over 60 points. You're asking him to produce amongst the absolute elite, and basically be a Norris candidate in his rookie season.

The fact that he is a 1996 birthday, playing 22+ minutes a night, and could get over 40 points this season might be impressive enough to win.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Dan02

If Johnny and forsberg keep up their pace they've been on, Ekblad would probably have to hit 60 points to take the Calder home, he's currently on pace for 48.

Given that it takes defencemen longer to develop at an NHL level I would think that Ekblad has to be the front runner in the Calder race. It's amazing the points he putting up at 18 years of age.

Gaudreau would get more consideration if he played in the east where a lot the media votes come from. They don't get to see Gaudreau that often and I would think that would hurt his chances of winning. That said I hope i'm wrong.

[Red Menace]

Jake Allen would have to get some consideration as well, though he is clearly behind the top 3. If the vote was today, I believe Ekblad would win, followed by Forsberg and Johnny.
Fantastic rookie class this year.

[Dan02]

double post.

[Dan02]

Originally Posted by mile

Why 60? Only two defenseman last year had over 60 points. You're asking him to produce amongst the absolute elite, and basically be a Norris candidate in his rookie season.

Forsberg is on pace for a 82 point season, that would have put him into 5th spot in the entire NHL last season. No kidding if Ekblad wants to compete with that for the Calder then he's going to have to amongst the absolute elite defensemen to compete. I would have thought that to have been self evident, and no 40 points doesn't do it and I doubt 50 does either.

Torey Krug hit 40 points as a rookie from the blue line last year, didn't even come top 3 in Calder voting.

[#-3]

Gotta admit Johnny is playing from behind at this point but it's clearly a 3 horse race and he is in it. This one is way to early to call any way shape or form. Not at all like the Norris where there is a clear front runner.

[Ryan Coke]

So Ekblad is doing well, no argument. But how much of Calder voting is based on 'for his age he's doing well'?
Just not sure how much extra credit someone should get for being younger. The award is best rookie, not best rookie graded on a curve based on age.

Either way the rest of the season will be interesting to watch those three guys.

[dammage79]

Ekblad's been nothing short of amazing in his rookie season as an 18 year old. Ask any defenseman to do what he's been doing on a mediocre team like FLA and they'd have a hard time fulfilling expectations. I also hope FLA makes the playoffs as Ekblads beard will be unleashed. Don't think there's a better one in the NHL.

I'd go Ekblad over Forsberg at this point in time. Gaudreau will have to do some amazing things for the rest of the season to overcome those two. And no I don't think I'm being a debbie downer here, because I do believe Gaudreau can, now that he is shooting more, teams are going to have to play him more and open up the other players, and we all know now that Johnny can dish with the best of them.

Shooting more is going to give the opposition fits. I think that's why he walked around so wide on that's wrap around last night unscathed. They were defending the passing play as video scouting would indicate them to do.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Ryan Coke

So Ekblad is doing well, no argument. But how much of Calder voting is based on 'for his age he's doing well'?
Just not sure how much extra credit someone should get for being younger. The award is best rookie, not best rookie graded on a curve based on age.

Either way the rest of the season will be interesting to watch those three guys.

If I had a vote, I'd definitely put Ekblads age along with the position he plays as key point in the decision making process. Not many D men no matter what age they are can do what he's been up to down in FLA. Johnny is 21, Forsberg is 20. that's a substantial gap in terms of development regardless of position.

[savardandjokinen]

Originally Posted by Dan02

Forsberg is on pace for a 82 point season, that would have put him into 5th spot in the entire NHL last season. No kidding if Ekblad wants to compete with that for the Calder then he's going to have to amongst the absolute elite defensemen to compete. I would have thought that to have been self evident, and no 40 points doesn't do it and I doubt 50 does either.

Torey Krug hit 40 points as a rookie from the blue line last year, didn't even come top 3 in Calder voting.

Krug barely hit 40, was way older than ekblad is and plays with elite offensive players. Ekblad is on pace for almost 50, 18 years old and on a team with no elite offensive players.

[Red Menace]

Of course Monahan didn't seem to get any consideration for being a 18-19 year old last year...voters went for the 20+ year olds ahead of him.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by #-3

Gotta admit Johnny is playing from behind at this point but it's clearly a 3 horse race and he is in it. This one is way to early to call any way shape or form. Not at all like the Norris where there is a clear front runner.

It can be a fikkle thing to figure out the best 1st year player, it's all about how the player reacts and responds after opposing coaches decide you need more attention. for instance tonight I watched Boston lean hard on Forsberg and he crumbled like a creampuff, he looked looked like a deer in headlights just waiting to get smacked. I wanted to see this kids talent but Boston took it away in a big way.

Yet last night big tough LA had no answer for little Johnny controlling their Staples Center and sending their players,coaches and fans home wondering what the ###### was that?.

This race may not even be close in the end.

[automaton 3]

Originally Posted by Dion

Gaudreau would get more consideration if he played in the east where a lot the media votes come from. They don't get to see Gaudreau that often and I would think that would hurt his chances of winning. That said I hope i'm wrong.

Johnny is well known in the east from his outstanding college career and hobey baker award...if anything I would think he's better known than the other two at this stage.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by automaton 3

Johnny is well known in the east from his outstanding college career and hobey baker award...if anything I would think he's better known than the other two at this stage.

I understand that. My concern is for his play this season and will the hockey writers out east see enough of him.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Dion

I understand that. My concern is for his play this season and will the hockey writers out east see enough of him.

He's been on a couple highlight reels. And Forsberg is also in the west in a lesser market.