[News] 2014/2015 Calder Finalists: Gaudreau, Ekblad, Stone - Page 3 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Mike F · 04-23-2015, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by devo22

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

It'll help Bennett, though

Cali Panthers Fan · 04-23-2015, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vulcan

No Forsberg which is surprising but there are too many good candidates this season.

It's pretty crazy. Consider the possibility of the season ending a month earlier, and Stone wouldn't even be in the conversation. Forsberg had a great year, but fell off the pace a little down the stretch. I guess it's a situation of "what have you done for me lately?"

BurningSteel · 04-23-2015, 05:49 PM

Gfg......ggg.....

burnitdown · 04-23-2015, 05:51 PM

Based off the writers who vote and have posted their thinking on Twitter (Lebrun, McKensie, etc), it seems like most were debating between Ekblad and Stone. Glad to see Johnny make the top 3 though...and hopefully he gets support from the non-declared voters!!

Cali Panthers Fan · 04-23-2015, 05:53 PM

I watched a lot of Ekblad this year, and nobody had a bigger impact on his team than he did. He also did that as an 18 year old. He wasn't nearly as flashy as the other nominees, but he did everything you could ask of an 18 year old and more. It won't be long before he's winning Norris trophies.

That opinion also considers how incredible Gaudreau has been this year, and what an amazing stretch run Stone had. I just don't know if I've seen a defenseman have an 18 year old season like that....maybe ever. Truly, he's going to be an exceptional player for a long time.

Zach · 04-23-2015, 06:17 PM

Gaudreau should win but I believe Stone will get it.

Gaudreau · 04-23-2015, 06:37 PM

The fact that Johnny's probably going to play the most playoff games and still contribute goes a big way in his favor.

Street Pharmacist · 04-23-2015, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaudreau

The fact that Johnny's still playing meaningful games and contributing goes a big way in his favor.

No it doesn't because playoffs don't count

Street Pharmacist · 04-23-2015, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

I watched a lot of Ekblad this year, and nobody had a bigger impact on his team than he did. He also did that as an 18 year old. He wasn't nearly as flashy as the other nominees, but he did everything you could ask of an 18 year old and more. It won't be long before he's winning Norris trophies.

That opinion also considers how incredible Gaudreau has been this year, and what an amazing stretch run Stone had. I just don't know if I've seen a defenseman have an 18 year old season like that....maybe ever. Truly, he's going to be an exceptional player for a long time.

I didn't watch a lot of Ekblad but I think Johnny should win it because I like Johnny

Caged Great · 04-23-2015, 06:39 PM

It'll be some pretty substantial bs if Gaudreau doesn't win.

MrMastodonFarm · 04-23-2015, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

I watched a lot of Ekblad this year, and nobody had a bigger impact on his team than he did. He also did that as an 18 year old. He wasn't nearly as flashy as the other nominees, but he did everything you could ask of an 18 year old and more. It won't be long before he's winning Norris trophies.

That opinion also considers how incredible Gaudreau has been this year, and what an amazing stretch run Stone had. I just don't know if I've seen a defenseman have an 18 year old season like that....maybe ever. Truly, he's going to be an exceptional player for a long time.

The fact Ekblad did what he did at his age is amazing, but it shouldn't matter when it comes to Calder voting.

Buzzard · 04-23-2015, 06:51 PM

I think it's between Gaudreau and Ekblad.

Stone's played pro for 3 seasons now with a quarter season worth of NHL games on the other two. He's also older.

Vulcan · 04-23-2015, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

The fact Ekblad did what he did at his age is amazing, but it shouldn't matter when it comes to Calder voting.

While age isn't supposed to matter, experience probably does and Ekblad doing what he does at defence with no pro experience says a lot in his favour.

GioforPM · 04-23-2015, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vulcan

While age isn't supposed to matter, experience probably does and Ekblad doing what he does at defence with no pro experience says a lot in his favour.

Quite a few voters will say Ekblad plays a tougher position. However, Johnny was kept off Monahan's line for a while because the thought was he couldn't handle the defensive responsibilities of the top line. But he did.

Ekblad was more sheltered, or so the analytics guys say.

Vulcan · 04-23-2015, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Quite a few voters will say Ekblad plays a tougher position. However, Johnny was kept off Monahan's line for a while because the thought was he couldn't handle the defensive responsibilities of the top line. But he did.

Ekblad was more sheltered, or so the analytics guys say.

Backlund coming back had more to do with the lines being shuffled and the defensive responsibilities shifting to Backlund's and Stajan's line than Johnny's growth. Not that Johnny hasn't progressed in his defensive game but keeping his line away from the Sedin line has been a good idea.

Senator Clay Davis · 04-23-2015, 07:39 PM

Ekblad's age will matter whether it should or shouldn't. Will probably actually come down to 2nd and 3rd place votes to determine the winner, should be very close with three highly deserving candidates.

Hackey · 04-24-2015, 12:16 AM

It will be really close but I think Johnny can take this. Unreal how close the race was this year. Forsberg had an unbelievable year and didn't even get nominated. Can't remember the last time you had 4 players pretty much even for the Calder.

calgarywinning · 04-24-2015, 02:08 AM

I think Johnny through regular season was one of the most electric players in the league.

Literally, some of the stuff I saw from him was defying reality. So that is why he should win this.

Let's hope he cracks the Canucks by the next game.

Samuelsson · 04-24-2015, 03:23 AM

Really surprised Stone's in there over Forsberg, or even Klingberg. Both have made significant contributions to their respective teams all year - plus Stone's had 2 go's in the NHL previously - 19-odd games last year...

Philly06Cup · 04-24-2015, 03:44 AM

What's this talk about Stone only getting a nod because of his hot finish?

If you look at the overall numbers, Stone had more pts in fewer games. He also had a better +/- and played better 5 on 5 and shorthanded. Stone simply had a better season than Forsberg. It would also be easy to argue that he had a better season than Gaudreau.

I would say that Stone had better linemates to work with though. Ottawa had two go-to-lines with Ryan-Hoffman-Zibanejad. Gaudreau was an anchor on the one-line Flames.