While I appreciate your general sentiment let's not diminish the accomplishments of Barzal because he plays on the "better" team.
Based on that kind of logic Keller is more worthy of the Calder because he plays on a team far worse than Boeser and he's right up there in points. I doubt many Boeser fans would like this argument, but it's the exact argument a few of them are making.
There are in fact pluses to playing on the first line as both Boeser and Keller will usually play the most minutes on the team and they also get the advantage of playing with the "best" players on the team as linemates. Barzal plays with lesser players and plays less minutes for example. So while he "may" or "theoretically" play against lesser defensive pairs, he's also playing alongside lesser players. Ladd at 32 years of age has less points than both Sedins for example and Eberle slumped the entire season playing alongside Tavares and his scoring did not begin until he began playing for Barzal.
Which brings me to my final point. Do we award Boeser or Keller the Calder because they were great players inspite of playing for poor teams or do we award Barzal the Calder who plays for a good team because of the great player that is Barzal?
Just looking at this video, does it look like it would really matter what team Barzal plays for? He's a one man army and creates scoring chances nearly every shift. That's what makes him Calder worthy, not the team he plays for.
There are so many promising rookies playing in the NHL today. I'd be happy to have anyone of them, but I am extremely happy that my Isles got Barzal.
In terms of linemates:
Eberle: 30GP - 12G - 10A - 22P - 0.73PPG
Ladd: 30GP - 8G - 7A - 15P - 0.500PPG
Horvat: 28GP - 10G - 10A - 20P - 0.714PPG
Baertschi: 30GP - 8G - 10A - 18P - 0.600PPG
Even if you give the Canucks pair the benefit of the doubt, that's hardly a difference at all. Now, if we incorporate Barzal's PP linemates into the equation, this argument disappears.
Mathew Barzal:
PP TOI - 102:35
PP TOI/GP - 3:25
PPP - 9
Linemates: Lee, Tavares, Bailey, Nick Leddy
Lee, Tavares, Bailey, and Leddy have combined for 119P in 120GP (0.992PPG)
Brock Boeser:
PP TOI - 79:25
PP TOI/GP - 2:50
PPP - 12
Linemates: Sedin, Sedin, Horvat, and one of Pouliot/Edler/Hutton/Del Zotto.
I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and include the highest scoring defenseman (Del Zotto). Sedin, Sedin, Horvat, Del Zotto have combined for 67P in 121GP (0.554PPG).
So Barzal gets more PP time (0:35 a game) than Boeser with significantly better players but puts up less points.
Now in terms of Barzal getting less overall icetime, that's just flat out false.
Mathew Barzal: TOI/GP - 16:40
Brock Boeser : TOI/GP - 16:13
I'm not sure where you got that from. I'm guessing you assumed Boeser getting first line minutes means he'll be getting more than Barzal getting 2nd line minutes. Not a bad assumption but Green rolls all lines fairly equally.
The Canucks are AWFUL offensively (2.64GF/GP, 27th in the NHL). Whereas the Islanders are great offensively (3.53GF/GP, 2nd in the NHL). Without Boeser, the Canucks are a top 3 lottery team right now.
I'm not saying Barzal doesn't deserve the Calder. I'd put him and Boeser neck and neck. Every time I watch Barzal (he's from my hometown so I watch him a fair bit when I get the chance) he's absolutely electric. But please. A little respect here. Boeser has been every bit as impressive as Barzal.
EDIT: @Rehabguy FYI, I'm not trying to target you. When I say a little respect, I'm referring to the thread in general. Your post was fairly respectful and brings up good points.