Mark Giordano on the ice for Game 1 morning skate. UPDATE: just skating

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by ssjshmo

He won the scoring title via goals scored tiebreaker.
I agree though, how is Stone still Calder eligible with 25 games under his belt

Calder qualification is less than 25 in one season (his biggest was 19) or two seasons with 6 games (his next biggest was 4).

But the fact he was only 2 games away (if he'd played 6 two years ago) might away some voters.

Stone was actually in a PO game in 2012, so he's played in 4 different seasons. You could also argue his 4 games in 2012-13 are worth more like 8 (given it was a short season)

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Calder qualification is less than 25 in one season (his biggest was 19) or two seasons with 6 games (his next biggest was 4).

But the fact he was only 2 games away (if he'd played 6 two years ago) might away some voters.

Stone was actually in a PO game in 2012, so he's played in 4 different seasons. You could also argue his 4 games in 2012-13 are worth more like 8 (given it was a short season)

MacKenzie and Friedman have already both declared Stone as their first place ballot, and they're 2 of the biggest names in hockey journalism. I haven't heard any media member who has a vote that has publicly said they voted for Gaudreau yet

[savardandjokinen]

It would be more motivation for Johnny in the future. Of course I'd like him to win it but that would fire Johnny up more

[J epworth]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

MacKenzie and Friedman have already both declared Stone as their first place ballot, and they're 2 of the biggest names in hockey journalism. I haven't heard any media member who has a vote that has publicly said they voted for Gaudreau yet

When did Friedman say he voted for Stone as the winner? This was in his 30 thoughts this week:

On the ballot: Filip Forsberg, Mike Hoffman. Forsberg got caught by Johnny Gaudreau and Stone in the scoring race, which hurt his chances to win. He’s going to be a cornerstone in Nashville for years. Twenty-six of Hoffman’s 27 goals were at even-strength. That’s Corey Perry/Ryan Getzlaf territory.

The vote went to: Aaron Ekblad, Johnny Gaudreau or Mark Stone. Can’t decide if Ekblad is going to be shafted because Gaudreau and Stone had huge finishes, or if he’ll win because Gaudreau and Stone split votes. I do feel his outstanding season is being forgotten. He’s two years younger than Gaudreau and three younger than Stone, at a position where it is harder to hide.

[SuperMatt18]

Yeah I kind of hate that the late run in tilting ballots in Stone and Karlsson's favour.

Johnny did it all year, and IMO that should be worth something.

[Bar-Down]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

MacKenzie and Friedman have already both declared Stone as their first place ballot, and they're 2 of the biggest names in hockey journalism. I haven't heard any media member who has a vote that has publicly said they voted for Gaudreau yet

Yeah I would be curious to hear their explanations on why they picked Stone. Stone has had an incredible year, I just don't beleive it's as good as Johnny's

Gaudreau:
21 years old with 1 game of pro experience before this year
80 GP - 64 points
Very important to team offense and success
Full year consistency as well as scoring big goals down the stretch.
5'7, 150 pounds - defeated all odds to even make the NHL, let alone put up those kind of rookie numbers, only 1 game of pro experience. Shows skill only very few players possess (ie: Patrick Kane)

Stone:
22 years old with 3 years of pro experience before this year
80 GP - 64 points
Very important to team offense and success
Strong year, hottest rookie down the stretch, big reason for Ottawa making playoffs
6'3, 200 pounds - AHL and NHL experience before this year

Again, incredible years by both of these guys, but with them being tied in points and equally important to their teams success (IMO) I would have to give the edge to Johnny due to him being younger and having basically ZERO pro experience before this year.

Just would be interesting to hear Bob's and Elliotte's reasoning.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by J epworth

When did Friedman say he voted for Stone as the winner? This was in his 30 thoughts this week:

I thought he had mentioned in a Sportsnet broadcast that he was leaning towards Stone, but in that article he seems undecided so I may be wrong. I do remember Scott Morrison saying it would be hard to vote against Stone on the SN panel, and he also has a vote

[northcrunk]

Bob McKenzie is such a Corsi Fenwick head. There is a reason he is stuck at that crap TSN.

[RyZ]

Originally Posted by northcrunk

Bob McKenzie is such a Corsi Fenwick head. There is a reason he is stuck at that crap TSN.

I don't get that from him at all. And he isn't stuck at TSN for any reason other than the fact that he wants to be there. Any group that provides NHL coverage would be more than happy to add McKenzie to their roster at the drop of a hat if given the chance.

[azzarish]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Yeah I kind of hate that the late run in tilting ballots in Stone and Karlsson's favour.

Johnny did it all year, and IMO that should be worth something.

And that is the defining factor for me too.

[Huntingwhale]

Even if Gaudreau doesn't win I just take solace in the 'fact' that Gaudreau seems like he has a much higher ceiling and is destined for a career as a star player in the league. Johnny is a special player. I could easily see Johnny improving every year consistently for a while. I don't see enough of Stone to say if he could be like that, but is he really that special of a player? His junior numbers look good and he has decent AHL numbers. But does he really have star potential? To early to say, but long term Johnny will probably have much better numbers and might even take home a big trophy or 2. I don't think Stone has that potential. I see him like I do Thomas Hertl (where is all the talk of him now?). A player who happened to get hot at the right time and go on a hot streak.

[longsuffering]

There is only one trophy that matters. I'm sure Gaudreau, Monahan, Gio & Hartley would gladly forego personal glory for the only prize that really matters.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by longsuffering

There is only one trophy that matters. I'm sure Gaudreau, Monahan, Gio & Hartley would gladly forego personal glory for the only prize that really matters.

Why can't it be both?

[ScorchyScorch]

If Gaudreau and Hartley are both robbed I'll be real mad. After the unbelievable years both had. But I'll get over it quickly if we go on a deep run.