Kaprizov is still likely a lock, even if Robertson ends up with more points. Just how it's going to work. He's been considered a lock since game 1 by a lot of the media guys and some of them still haven't recognized Robertson even exists
I've pushed back against some Minnesota fans declarations about Kaprizov having won the award so early, but as I always said, I thought Kaprizov was having a very solid season.
However, looking into the numbers more, I'm less impressed now than before. I didn't realize that he leads Minnesota in TOI/G amongst forwards, and PP TOI/G. Don't get me wrong, he's a good player, but these people that whine about who his center is or that he leads the team in points per game, if he's the best forward and best PP forward, which those numbers suggest, why would any of that be a good excuse for the best player? Maybe for a sheltered 18 year old rookie, like Stuetzle, that needs a lot of help to prop him up, but I don't buy it for the guy who a coach deploys as his best forward and offensive forward. And thats on a playoff team, it's not the best forward and offensive forward on the worst team in the league.
Robertson is putting up a better points per game number, although very minimally, than Kaprizov. But he's doing that with much less TOI/G, and much less PP TOI/G. Robertson also has good advanced stats. I'd characterize Kaprizov's advanced stats as average. Both guys have the exact same PDO, which is also a pretty high PDO. Thats before you get to the goalies.
As I said, Kaprizov has been good, and I'm not doubting that, but this crowning he got very prematurely has been exposed when a forward, like Robertson, whose not exactly putting up a historic rookie season has come onto the scene a little later into the season, and is outperforming Kaprizov's season.
Yes, Roberston has caught Kaprizov.
No, Roberston wasn't in the conversation 6 weeks ago.
That's how these things work all the time.
23 is elderly now?I’d rather Robertson because at least he isn’t elderly.
23 is elderly now?
I mean at 23 he’s got a good year and a half before he’s over the hillIt's practically ancient! Kids should be playing NHL at 16.
23 is elderly now?
It’s amazing that Kakko can be in his 5th NHL season and that would be considered his rookie year going by Kaprizov’s situation.
23 is elderly now?
So PB’s new argument is that KK is the best forward on his team, thus, he shouldn’t win the Calder. Kape.
Mind you, Kaprizov is 2 years older than Robertson and has been playing professional hockey against men for 3 more season than Robertson.Mind you, Robertson had a full year to adapt to the Stars system as he played in their AHL team before being called up this season. Kaprizov could only practice for a few games last season and a training camp, which a bunch of new faces were introduced, this season. Robertson had 60+ games to play with the Stars and their coaches. They had a much more hands on approach with Robertson.
Mind you, Kaprizov is 2 years older than Robertson and has been playing professional hockey against men for 3 more season than Robertson.