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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[CraigsList]

Would have loved Johnny to win this, but Forsberg is way ahead of everyone else imo.

 

[Taranis]

I think Gaudreau could still win this, but honestly who cares as long as he helps us get into the playoffs.

 

[DCDM]

I personally doubt Johnny wins, but oh well. No big deal. His impact goes far beyond what a trophy represents.

 

[InfinityIggy]

Forsberg should probably win if the vote was today. Just having a player in serious consideration though is very exciting.

 

[Ace Rimmer]

Yeah, I think as good as Gaudreau has been, it's a two horse race between Ekblad/Forsberg.

 

[Sean Monahan]

Skinner won the Calder ahead of Couture too. As long as our midget is nominated it would be an honor

 

[MonahanTheMan]

Personally, I think it should be Hutchinson over Forsberg, Ekblad or Gaudreau (no disrespect to ANY of those fantastic players). But we all know that's not gonna happen.

 

[FLAMES666]

I think Ekblad should win it.

 

[Lunatik]

It's too early to say anyone should win it.

 

[Master Bill]

I personally think Ekblad has the upper hand over Forsberg. Not many 18-year-old defensemen come straight out of juniors to play 22+ minutes a game, not to mention he's putting some very impressive offensive numbers on a terrible offensive team. Forsberg plays on an offensive-minded team that benefits him for sure, but he also drives their offense so it goes both ways.

If Ekblad manages to put up more than 40 points while playing the minutes he does, I can't think of a better Calder winner to be honest. Myers managed to win the Calder when Tavares and Duchene had their +50 points rookie seasons. And the fact that Ekblad is 2-3 years younger than Forsberg and Gaudreau should be an advantage for him as well.

 

[InfinityIggy]

I personally think Ekblad has the upper hand over Forsberg. Not many 18-year-old defensemen come straight out of juniors to play 22+ minutes a game, not to mention he's putting some very impressive offensive numbers on a terrible offensive team. Forsberg plays on an offensive-minded team that benefits him for sure, but he also drives their offense so it goes both ways.

If Ekblad manages to put up more than 40 points while playing the minutes he does, I can't think of a better Calder winner to be honest. Myers managed to win the Calder when Tavares and Duchene had their +50 points rookie seasons. And the fact that Ekblad is 2-3 years younger than Forsberg and Gaudreau should be an advantage for him as well.

Calder voting (somewhat ironically) doesn't take in age as a consideration, it also doesn't take into account what team a player plays for. Its an award given solely on how an individual rookie produced and played.

 

[DFF]

Calder voting (somewhat ironically) doesn't take in age as a consideration, it also doesn't take into account what team a player plays for. Its an award given solely on how an individual rookie produced and played.

Technically you are correct but humans are voting and they know what Ekblad has done is much more impressive considering his age

 

[Master Bill]

Calder voting (somewhat ironically) doesn't take in age as a consideration, it also doesn't take into account what team a player plays for. Its an award given solely on how an individual rookie produced and played.

I'm not 100% sure if they absolutely eliminate age as a slight factor though. It is an indicator of how many minor-pro/developmental years the player took or did not take to perform in the NHL, which can also contribute to how good that player's rookie performance was, in relation to the others with different backgrounds. There is going to be ambiguity and different opinions on who the "best" rookie was.

Also, I'm not saying someone should win or not win because of the team he plays for, but I'm just saying that in terms of offensive production, Ekblad's contribution to his team's offense is more valuable and significant in relation to Forsberg's contribution to his team's offense, not to mention one is a defenseman. I know it really should be about a player's individual performance, but there is really no denying that the team can influence the player's individual performance.

 

[Calculon]

1. Forsberg
2. Ekblad
3. Gaudreau
4. Hutchinson/Klingberg
6. Hoffman/Drouin

Significant gap between 3 and 4. And still lots of time for things to change though.

 

[FLAMES666]

It's too early to say anyone should win it.

Ya definitely should have worded that differently.

He is the front runner right now in my mind. Close race though, best I can remember in a while

 

[Lunatik]

Ya definitely should have worded that differently.

He is the front runner right now in my mind. Close race though, best I can remember in a while

Fair enough, I just can't help but think that a minor injury would knock any of the top 3 out of the running. Or a hot streak by Gaudreau would vault him to the front. Hell another hot streak by that Stars defenseman should put him in the top 3 too.

 

[Volica]

FF is ahead of the pack right now; If he continues this way he could put up a 70 point season.

If Johnny could win, it would take Forsberg cooling off, and Johnny picking it up again. Both have equal chances of slowing down; since this will be the most hockey either of them has ever played in the last stretch here.

Awesome having a horse in this race though... it's been a long while since we've had this kind of a rookie showing (not to put down Monahan's season last year).