2014-15 Calder Trophy Race

[burnitdown]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Going by the buzz at the all-star game Johnny is going to have to finish very strong to unseat Ekblad as it seems the eastern writers are smitten with him. I just don't know if he's going to get enough votes from the eastern writers.

I don't think it's just an Eastern conference bias though. Ekblad is a legit contender for the Calder based off his strong play and wouldn't be an undeserving winner at all (IMO). Although it's likely Gaudreau catches Forsberg, that still has to happen before he even has a shot of beating out Ekblad.

[JohnnySkittles]

Ekblad is the best rookie dman to come along in a long time, Johnny will have to light it up to beat him.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Going by the buzz at the all-star game Johnny is going to have to finish very strong to unseat Ekblad as it seems the eastern writers are smitten with him. I just don't know if he's going to get enough votes from the eastern writers.

There's time. Media types bore easily with the "obvious choice".

Also, many in the media will be looking for an explanation as to why their prediction of the Flames was so off. "Nobody could predict how good this kid would be" is the perfect storyline for that problem.

(What, me cynical when it comes to sports media?)

[Enoch Root]

Its a close race right now between the 3 guys and where they currently rank is irrelevant.

Whoever has the best second half will win it. Period.

[GioforPM]

JG and Ekblad both got lots of love at the ASG, more than Forsberg IMO. If it stays the same, I think Ekblad wins just because of age and position. I don't think there's eastern bias and if there is, Johnny has had lots of east coast PR in the past.

[Textcritic]

^
I think that Forsberg is hard pressed to win simply because Gaudreau already has so much more brand recognition within hockey circles, and Ekblad is having a rookie season for the ages.

[saXon]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

^
I think that Forsberg is hard pressed to win simply because Gaudreau already has so much more brand recognition within hockey circles, and Ekblad is having a rookie season for the ages.

Forsberg - plays top line minutes on a consistent top 3 team in the league. Top in scoring right now for rooks.

Gaudreau - comes with the underdog of the league story due to size. Living up to his name. ONLY 4 points back of Forsberg while playing less minutes, and on a bubble playoff team that was pegged for the bottom 5.

Ekblad - defensive stud who has kept up with the Jones' in the scoring race. He's kept himself a top 3 rookie scorer and he's a blueliner. Hasn't been a d-man with his ilk since Meyers in 09-10. Eastern factor, however, Huberdeau did win in 12-13. Not sure if that matters much.

I see a closer race between Ekblad and Gaudreau for the storyline.

[dammage79]

I love Gaudreau but I have to hand the ROTY to Ekblad at this point. Position is more difficult to succeed at in the NHL, he's on an equally rebuilding team and is in the East where Media see him more.

I hope Gaudreau wins it but Ekblad has to blow his engine for that to happen I think. We'll see.

[Senator Clay Davis]

The best part about Ekblad is the Oilers didn't get him. Even though Edmonton ruins everyone, I think he would have been unruinable. If he can somehow elevate the rest of the year he might sneak into Norris contention.

[Saqe]

Ekblad needs four more points to be third ever among 18 year-old defenseman in scoring. Bobby Orr at #2 with 61, probably won't reach him but has a decent chance.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Saqe

Ekblad needs four more points to be third ever among 18 year-old defenseman in scoring. Bobby Orr at #2 with 61, probably won't reach him but has a decent chance.

I don't think a lot of people understand how exceptional his year is. I love Gaudreau, but he's had 3 years of college insert his belt and his only real responsibility is offense. The minutes and points Ekblad is putting up is unreal

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

The best part about Ekblad is the Oilers didn't get him. Even though Edmonton ruins everyone, I think he would have been unruinable. If he can somehow elevate the rest of the year he might sneak into Norris contention.

All the Oilers had to do was lose their last game of the 13/14 season, they would've won the lottery. It's so funny that they've gotten 1st OA 3 times in years where it wasn't as good as the others.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Originally Posted by Saqe

Ekblad needs four more points to be third ever among 18 year-old defenseman in scoring. Bobby Orr at #2 with 61, probably won't reach him but has a decent chance.

I thought I overheard SportsCentre say that he's on pace to break Orr's rookie stats.

If that happens it's Ekblad's, hands down, game over.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

I thought I overheard SportsCentre say that he's on pace to break Orr's rookie stats.

If that happens it's Ekblad's, hands down, game over.

Yeah according to this Orr had 41 points so Ekblad's 28 points puts him in reach. Housley holds the record at 66 points.

http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/aa...ven-bobby-orr/

[Hackey]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

All the Oilers had to do was lose their last game of the 13/14 season, they would've won the lottery. It's so funny that they've gotten 1st OA 3 times in years where it wasn't as good as the others.

They have had terrible luck with their first overall picks. Not very good drafts. The 3 season's after Yakupov would have landed them Mackinnon, Ekblad, and McDavid. The 3 years before Hall would have landed them Kane, Stamkos, and Tavares.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Hackey

They have had terrible luck with their first overall picks. Not very good drafts. The 3 season's after Yakupov would have landed them Mackinnon, Ekblad, and McDavid. The 3 years before Hall would have landed them Kane, Stamkos, and Tavares.

Does that point to bad luck, or is it an indication of bad development on their part?

Kane's stats in his final junior year were off-the-charts, but Stamkos' and Tavares' final junior seasons were comparable to Hall's. Hall was an outstanding junior player who led his team to back-to-back Memorial Cups (both times as the OHL Champion) and is the only player to ever be named the Memorial Cup MVP twice. There was no reason to believe he would not develop into an NHL superstar (which, if you believe the Oiler hype machine, he is).

Nugent-Hopkins' junior stats were also on par with Hall, Tavares, and Stamkos. He was also a dominant player at the World Juniors against his peers.

The Yakupov pick certainly looks like it was a mistake, but that appears to have been because a meddling owner decided the Hockey News Draft Preview knew more than his own scouting staff. So, you really can't blame that on luck either.

[Hackey]

If I'm not mistaken every one of those players stepped into the NHL immidiately so I don't think development is the reason. None of them other than Mackinnon went to an ideal team situation. I also don't think comparing junior stats is a very good indication of who should be the better NHL player. Their 1st's came in some very weak drafts.

[GettinIggyWithIt]

Originally Posted by Hackey

If I'm not mistaken every one of those players stepped into the NHL immidiately so I don't think development is the reason. .

Development doesn't end when the player hits the NHL though. Especially for players like Hall, McKinnon, Tavares, etc. These guys are first overall picks and it's easy to see why they would make the jump immediately but teams need to be very careful at how they develop them once they are in the NHL (fitness, strength development, sheltered minutes, learning systems, defence, helping them adjust to NHL speed and defenses, among other things).

[Hackey]

Sure. Fair enough. But no amount of development was going to turn RNH into Steven Stamkos or Nail Yakupov into John Tavares. Point stands the Oilers hit some bad drafts.

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by Hackey

Sure. Fair enough. But no amount of development was going to turn RNH into Steven Stamkos or Nail Yakupov into John Tavares. Point stands the Oilers hit some bad drafts.

Interesting point and one that gets overlooked often. Kudos.