Johnny Hockey on ESPN

[Anduril]

It's close enough for any one of the finalists that it means nothing if Gaudreau doesn't win. He's had a fantastic year. Turns out there were a couple other plays with amazing seasons as well.

[Ryan Coke]

Phaneuf has never ever been anywhere near as good as Regehr playing defense. But he did score goals in his rookie year.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by polak

I think you're forgetting how awesome Phaneuf was in his rookie year. He was just as good as peak of his prime Regher.

unfortunately for Ekblad, Gaudreau is having an even better year and having more of impact than Phaneuf (and pretty much every single Flames rookie since I was born).

The TSN guys like McGuire were having orgasms every time he threw a bit hit or blew a big shot by a goaltender. Phaneuf really did have one of the most impressive rookies for a defenseman there has ever been and more impressive than Ekblad for sure.

[puckedoff]

I try to be as much of a homer as I can but I would vote Ekblad.

[PugnaciousIntern]

All this Phaneuf-Ekblad comparison is neat, but not particularly insightful, as Phaneuf lost the Calder to Crosby and Ovechkin. While the defensive comparisons are possibly close (I'd argue Ekblad is a much more complete player in his rookie season) the implied comparison of Crosby and Ovechkin to Gaudreau and Stone is clearly a non-issue.

So regardless of the similarities of Phaneuf and Ekblad, the fact that Phaneuf lost gives us no insight on Ekblad losing. 2014-15 is a great Calder class, but nowhere near the 2005-06 class.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

That Florida team was abysmal a year ago, especially defensively, and they turned into one of the best in the league in that regard with Ekblad, Luongo, and Gallant coaching.

Certainly was impressive how quickly the Panthers turned around their defensive woes. Last season they were at the very bottom of the barrel with only the Oilers letting in more goals. This year they were exactly average. It's a pretty drastic change which has to be, in large part, attributed to the new defenseman on the team. Of course that being Willie Mitchell.

Ekblad was sheltered. He started over 60% of his shifts in the offensive zone. Of defensemen to play over 60 GP that year only Dan Boyle and Justin Schultz started more in the offensive zone. Willie Mitchell only started 40% of his shifts in the offensive zone.

Aaron Ekblad also saw the weakest quality of competition of any regular defenseman on his team while Willie Mitchell saw the hardest. If you watched him this year it wouldn't take any special thinking to see that this stat held up. It was Mitchell and Kulikov who saw the tough minutes always matched against the top lines, Ekblad got about the easiest minutes you can give a top 4 defensemen and he did it with a very solid veteran on his opposite side.

If you want to talk about the turn around the Panthers had defensively and point to a defenseman, it's the defenseman who night in and night out went against the top lines, the defenseman who played over 3 minutes a night on the penalty kill. Not the rookie defensemen who played sheltered minutes.

[GreenLantern]

Originally Posted by troutman

Again, Calder is for the best rookie, not the player who was best for his age. Ekblad being 18 should be irrelevant.

I agree, bring back the Mak!!

Spoiler!

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Yeah his age is irrelevant as far as the award goes because it's not part of the criteria however it appears the voters have made it part of their personal criteria which is a shame.

Age has always been a factor with Calder voters. This is nothing new.

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

How can you say age may be subjective yet entertainment impact not? It's an entertainment business first and foremost and while Ekblad had a fine season he never got anyone out of their seat like Johnny did at times. I don't have an issue with Ekblad winning the award but I would vote him 2nd to Gadreau who lead the league in rookie scoring, played a big role of getting his team into the playoffs (a team I may add that was predicted to finish behind the Panthers who missed the playoffs), and he provided more flash/entertainment.

Okay, now you're adding your own criteria to the award. Since when has 'entertainment value' ever been a criteria for the Calder, or for any major award? Should Ryan Suter be dismissed as a contender for the Norris because he doesn't play an exciting brand of hockey?

[Coach]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Age has always been a factor with Calder voters. This is nothing new.



Okay, now you're adding your own criteria to the award. Since when has 'entertainment value' ever been a criteria for the Calder, or for any major award? Should Ryan Suter be dismissed as a contender for the Norris because he doesn't play an exciting brand of hockey?

Should? No.

Is? Yes.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Age has always been a factor with Calder voters. This is nothing new.



Okay, now you're adding your own criteria to the award. Since when has 'entertainment value' ever been a criteria for the Calder, or for any major award? Should Ryan Suter be dismissed as a contender for the Norris because he doesn't play an exciting brand of hockey?

If people want to add age as their own criteria then I will add what I want as well. You kind of answered your own question because Suter really should have a Norris trophy but always gets passed over for the flashy guys like Subban and Karlsson despite the fact they they will never ever be close to the complete package Suter is.

[Daradon]

Watching JH spin around checks coming his way totally reminds me of Fleury. So slippery, so nuch fun to watch.

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

If people want to add age as their own criteria then I will add what I want as well. You kind of answered your own question because Suter really should have a Norris trophy but always gets passed over for the flashy guys like Subban and Karlsson despite the fact they they will never ever be close to the complete package Suter is.

You are right. I love Subban and Karlsson, but Suter is just as good and always underrated.

Maybe a bit like his dad? As Flames fans we knew how good Gary was but around the league it was all about Al.

Though, never did forgive him for his cheap shot on Kariya.

[jammies]

Do the Flames make the playoffs without Gaudreau? Extremely unlikely. Helping a team almost make the playoffs is great and all, but being one of the main reasons a team actually does make them is even better.