[News] 2014/2015 Calder Finalists: Gaudreau, Ekblad, Stone

[loob job]

Votes had to be in by last Wed.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

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.

I have no idea why people are trying to argue that "age shouldn't matter". The criteria for these awards are only vaguely defined and are completely up to the subjective opinion of the voters. For any voter who thinks age matters, age will matter.

[sureLoss]

Not sure who first reported it but rumor going around that Forsberg finished 5th in the Calder voting.

[cKy]

Klingberg being 4th?

[Resolute 14]

Klingberg fourth would then be my guess.

[Huntingwhale]

Johnny's got this. Highly marketable guy with a catchy nickname. More consistent then any other rookie. A staple on the top line. Undersize/feel good story. American. It's his to lose and I'll be disappointed if freakin' 2nd-half Stone wins this.

[RyZ]

Originally Posted by Philly06Cup

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.

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by "anchor"?

[sa226]

I won't be too miffed either way, but I wonder how many voters look past the electric, tiny offensive dynamo and actually see a complete 200 foot player that is on the ice in the last minute of games defending a lead.

I know defense is a tough position, but at Johnny's size, the fact that he is a complete player and not just a power play specialist is arguably just as impressive.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

I have no idea why people are trying to argue that "age shouldn't matter". The criteria for these awards are only vaguely defined and are completely up to the subjective opinion of the voters. For any voter who thinks age matters, age will matter.

Because the criteria isn't vague like you suggest, it's actually clearly defined.

The Calder Memorial Trophy is an annual award given to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again here. What Ekblad did as an 18 year old on the blueline is much more impressive then what Gaudreau did as a 22 year old winger.

But the Calder is given to the best player that qualifies for rookie status in the NHL, not that rule then several sub section rules thereafter. Sure you can't predict what some voters will do, but going by the spirit of the award, Gaudreau will win.

If voters factor in age again, outside of the set parameters for the award. Ekblad will win.

[Coach]

I think Johnny will win. I wouldn't be disappointed if Ekblad did.

I would be pissed if Stone did. Half a season and a 3rd year pro vs two true rookies making the leap from Junior/College to the NHL? Not even close IMO.

[googol]

Originally Posted by MattyC

I think Johnny will win. I wouldn't be disappointed if Ekblad did.

I would be pissed if Stone did. Half a season and a 3rd year pro vs two true rookies making the leap from Junior/College to the NHL? Not even close IMO.

But it shouldn't matter as long as he still qualifies for the Calder. If we are arguing about age being a non factor for Gaudreau vs Ekblad, then it shouldn't affect the voting for Stone either.

[burnitdown]

Originally Posted by MattyC

I think Johnny will win. I wouldn't be disappointed if Ekblad did.

I would be pissed if Stone did. Half a season and a 3rd year pro vs two true rookies making the leap from Junior/College to the NHL? Not even close IMO.

Making the leap is much harder going straight from juniors to NHL, compared to going from college to NHL. Should Ekblad get the edge then?

And if Stone matched Johnny's offense output in half a year...why is that a negative against Stone? The games matter the most at the end of the season.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by googol

But it shouldn't matter as long as he still qualifies for the Calder. If we are arguing about age being a non factor for Gaudreau vs Ekblad, then it shouldn't affect the voting for Stone either.

I'm not arguing age, I'm arguing pro experience, which I think is a bigger factor than the age difference.

And really I'm not arguing anything, just saying what I would personally think about each potential situation.

[heep223]

No chance Stone wins this, as impressive as his late season was. It's Johnny vs Ekblad and Ekblad has a really good chance, given that votes might split between the two forwards. I still think Johnny wins it though based on consistency, size, American, from eastern seaboard, name recognition out east from college.

[Mattman]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

Johnny's got this. Highly marketable guy with a catchy nickname. More consistent then any other rookie. A staple on the top line. Undersize/feel good story. American. It's his to lose and I'll be disappointed if freakin' 2nd-half Stone wins this.

adding to yours:
Johnny was named to the All-star roster (Ekblad, and Forsberg too) simply because he was HOT and consistent BEFORE the halfway mark.

He had already made a name for himself and was equally as hot as Stone in the 2nd half IMO

[dino7c]

Stone playing 25 NHL games before this year has to be a factor, I don't care if he qualifies or not this is a voted on award and they can factor in whatever the heck they want

[flamesfever]

I don't know whether it's been mentioned, but both of Johnny's linemates, Hudler and Monahan, had their best seasons in the NHL because of Johnny. With all his attributes, johnny is truly a phenomenal player.

No matter who wins, being nominated is a huge boost for their careers. I feel somewhat sorry for Forsberg, as he was the front runner for most of the season, and I believe will continue to be an outstanding player.

[GioforPM]

I don't know what other term to use, but "finalists" or "nominees" always seems disengenous to me, like there's still a competition.

Really, the finalists were every rookie who played this year.

[Walter Reed]

Originally Posted by Buzzard

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.

I agree, it's my belief the race is between JG & Ekblad.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by RyZ

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by "anchor"?

The player around which the offense (or defense) gets stabilized and otherwise consistently runs through.