2014-15 Calder Poll: Forsberg, Gaudreau and Ekblad separate from the pack in January

[HF Article]

Photo: Calgary Flames rookie forward Johnny Gaudreau is currently third in scoring for the Flames with 15 goals and 39 points in 52 games (courtesy of Kathleen Hinkel/Icon Sportswire)


 

Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg strengthened his hold on the top spot in the Hockey’s Future Calder Trophy poll in January while the*Calgary Flames‘ Johnny Gaudreau and 18-year-old Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad appear to be his top challengers for the award.

Just below the top three are Winnipeg Jets goalie Michael Hutchinson and Ottawa Senators forward Mike Hoffman, who are tied for fourth, while Dallas Stars defenseman John Klingberg was one of the biggest movers in terms of numbers of votes, sliding into the sixth spot.… read more

The post 2014-15 Calder Poll: Forsberg, Gaudreau and Ekblad separate from the pack in January appeared first on Hockey's Future.



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[Big Bjugs]

It has to be Ekblad. How many 18yr olds ( let alone Dmen) break into this league and lead their team in points?

The only case against Ekblad is that he really is a 32yr old vet in disguise.

 

[adam graves]

It has to be Ekblad. How many 18yr olds ( let alone Dmen) break into this league and lead their team in points?

The only case against Ekblad is that he really is a 32yr old vet in disguise.

I agree.

Tho the bolded is as much as an indictment to our team as a credit to him.

 

[CatscratchFever]

I agree.

Tho the bolded is as much as an indictment to our team as a credit to him.

As awesome as this rookie is, that's really bad for us Panther fans.

 

[gudzilla]

As awesome as this rookie is, that's really bad for us Panther fans.

yeah, but it also puts it into perspective

whats more impressive? someone scoring on a super stacked super power offensive team or a guy who steps in and leads the team in points as a rookie along with being solid defensively?

just look at mackinnon, he did great last year because whole team overachieved, the team isnt performing now, and mackinnon is trash this year. not even surprised, i said it last year too, over achieveing team that he overachieved on

 

[Big Bjugs]

yeah, but it also puts it into perspective

whats more impressive? someone scoring on a super stacked super power offensive team or a guy who steps in and leads the team in points as a rookie along with being solid defensively?

just look at mackinnon, he did great last year because whole team overachieved, the team isnt performing now, and mackinnon is trash this year. not even surprised, i said it last year too, over achieveing team that he overachieved on

Exactly. Great point. Whos to say Ekblad wouldn't be close to a ppg D man if we were scoring goals like the Avs did last year?

 

[CHGoalie27]

Damned if I'm not convinced the best dman in the league for years to come just turned 19 years old.

 

[spacemanatee]

what ekblad has done is far more impressive than any other rookie but forsberg will win the calder

 

[Android 16]

Incredible.

 

[CatscratchFever]

Incredible.

Focus on+/-and GWG, compared to the others. On a Panthers team. Closing in on double digit goals. It's the most excited I've ever felt for a Panther draft pick. Ever. I swore I would never buy a Jersey with a player name on it. I take it back. It's hard to imagine regression from this guy.

 

[hockeydude1]

Incredible.

Just 10 points away from Bobby Orr's rookie season. Incredible.

 

[Android 16]

Just 10 points away from Bobby Orr's rookie season. Incredible.

It'll take a miracle and a hot streak like no other to catch Housley, but Orr's 2nd place spot is very obtainable with 29 or 30 games left, whatever it is.

 

[CHGoalie27]

Incredible.

Keep in mind, aside from Orr, everyone else is in the inflated points era.

 

[CHGoalie27]

Focus on+/-and GWG, compared to the others. On a Panthers team. Closing in on double digit goals. It's the most excited I've ever felt for a Panther draft pick. Ever. I swore I would never buy a Jersey with a player name on it. I take it back. It's hard to imagine regression from this guy.

Absolutely, and to think he is just getting ****ing started! Unreal!

Those clips we saw them showing during the draft were most telling of his mind.

 

[Prominence Problem]

Just 10 points away from Bobby Orr's rookie season. Incredible.

Could you imagine if/when he passes Orr? The BEST defenseman EVER!

 

[IceManCat]

Phil Housley wasn't the greatest defensive dman around so Ekblad's two way play is that much more impressive

 

[I am not exposed]

Ekblad has the most GWGs as well on that list!

 

[pb1300]

Incredible.

Its funny that people on the main board think that this is not relevant to the Calder race. Apparently, playing defense the way Ekblad has, as an 18 year old rookie, should not be taken into consideration. The other rookies, who are older, and have professional experience outside prior to this year, are more deserving

 

[I am not exposed]

Its funny that people on the main board think that this is not relevant to the Calder race. Apparently, playing defense the way Ekblad has, as an 18 year old rookie, should not be taken into consideration. The other rookies, who are older, and have professional experience outside prior to this year, are more deserving

Isn't the Dallas defenseman who is in contention 22 or 23?

 

[Android 16]

Its funny that people on the main board think that this is not relevant to the Calder race. Apparently, playing defense the way Ekblad has, as an 18 year old rookie, should not be taken into consideration. The other rookies, who are older, and have professional experience outside prior to this year, are more deserving

If he manages to move past Bobby Orr, that will make headlines and the "hockey people" will see that as a cap on a wonderful season for him. It'll be tough to give the Calder to anyone else knowing history took place.

 

[JP Mick]

Isn't the Dallas defenseman who is in contention 22 or 23?

Yeah he's 22 and he's had 3 years of pro experience in Sweden.

 

[Gaebriel]

While I think Ekblad should win it, I don't think age can be considered a factor. The award is for the best rookie, not the best rookie after adjusting for age or experience. I think Ekblad's position, importance to his team, the strength of his teammates and his raw numbers are enough to put him past Forsberg but I'm biased because I'm a fan of the team.

MacKinnon is on pace for 44 points after scoring 63 as a rookie. Is that really trash? It's definitely a sophomore slump but I wouldn't go as far as calling him trash this year. 44 points in 82 games in still a higher PPG pace than everyone on our team except Bjugstad, Huberdeau, Ekblad and Hayes.

 

[Gentle Man]

The thing about Forsberg is (who is Ekblad's main rival for the Calder in my opinion), if you don't want to factor in age, his team may have the Vezina, Hart, and Norris trophy winners, on a team that may finish with the President's trophy.

That's pretty advantageous for Forsberg and is a much "easier" position vs Ekblad's situation.

 

[Dr Beinfest]

While I think Ekblad should win it, I don't think age can be considered a factor. The award is for the best rookie, not the best rookie after adjusting for age or experience. I think Ekblad's position, importance to his team, the strength of his teammates and his raw numbers are enough to put him past Forsberg but I'm biased because I'm a fan of the team.

In all fairness, it's to the player "most proficient in their first year."

I would argue that proficiency is a function of age, especially for younger players. Yeah, I definitely agree that age should not be a major decision factor... but if you've got a tight race I'd absolutely say it should give the younger player the edge.

But another thing to consider is the team they play for. Points do not directly display proficiency. Stick Ekblad behind Crosby and he's going to finish the season with more points, period.

With that being said, I think this throws out Gaudreau and Klingberg pretty quickly. I put this on a positional platform... Gaudreau at this point falls behind Forsberg. Forsberg is a team leader, Gaudreau is not. Klingberg is behind Spezza, Benn, and Seguin. All 40-50 point players at this point in the season. Ekblad is behind just Bjugstad, and not by any sort of distance.

What Ekblad has done has been really impressive. What Forsberg has done has been really impressive. What Gaudreau and Klingberg have done is impressive, but not so much as the formers. Just my take.