Who gets the Calder?
by Chickendirt on Oct 3, 2009 2:57 PM EDT
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It's opening night so it's a good time to ask this question. I'll propose a few who I think are good bets and not so good bets to win it.
Matt Gilroy; I can't really make a prediction on this guy. I got to see a lot of his games at BU. I think it's a matter of how much it translates over to the NHL game. I don't see a lot of what he did there carrying over. Personally I think a 25 year old has a much tougher time making that transition from college hockey to the NHL than a 22 year old.
Matt Duchene; Liked what I saw from him Thurs night. Has really good speed, hands and position himself well. In some respects a little like Ovechkin in that he knows when to hang back in the neutral zone for that seam pass that leads to a break away. I see this guy being a lot like a Jason Blake or Sean Bergenheim but with better vision and smarts for the game. I think a strong possibility given that he has a good supporting cast in Colorado.
Victor Hedman ; Really tough for a Defensemen to win this award but this guy is not your average rookie defensemen. Never saw this guy play but from what I've read it appears lots of folks have him slated for the HOF. Depends on what kind of offensive numbers he puts up to go along with a decent +/-. Like Duchene, has a decent supporting cast in Tampa with Stamkos, Lecavallier, St Louis etc. Could grab a hefty amount of points on the PP.
John Tavares; Biggest issue that could affect this guy is the supporting cast. We all know the names and who's involved. Also Gordon's plan for this kid which is generally just play a responsible game and worry about the points later. Unlike the others (Hedman, Gilroy, Duchene) the supporting cast to help this guy out in the points department just is not there. There's Weight who's slowed down and Streit who could throw some bombs at the point leading to rebounds for this kid to clean up. Overall, I think a lot of JT's points are gonna come on the PP.
These are just the few off the top of my head. Overall, I think at the end of the year I think there is going to be a hefty Calder Trophy debate. Especially if you see these guys all within a few points of each other. That happens I think Hedmen will win by default.
This what's going to make this season so sweet. I can't recall a year in recent memory when the rookie crop to start the year was this good. And I have left many names off of this list. I think this is going to be one of those Calders that's going to be debated for many years to come. Especially if the scenerario is like the one I mentioned above and the winner winds up a bust a few years from now.
We hockey fans LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE to second guess and play 20/20 hindsight on everything.
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Hedman
If I had to bet … but I’ve no conviction on that, and I also think his Southeast market will dampen the hype that normally accompanies a big d-man with offensive skills. If Hedman were in Toronto or Calgary, they might give him the award tomorrow.
Speaking of, if Johan G. stands on his head in Toronto…
I agree though. Should be a great, wide-open race this year.
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Just an idea of how the mighty have fallen…Cody H. was touted as a Calder candidate before his fall from grace. It’s too early to say. Obviously JT, Big Victor, and Kulikov will be major candidates. The opportunity presented by Markov’s injury may give Weber a legit shot as well…and on a big as possible stage.
I can’t recall a year in recent memory when the rookie crop to start the year was this good.
2005-06 had to have been one of the best ever, in large part due to the lockout. Ovechkin, Crosby, Phaneuf were top 3 and there were plenty of other guys that had real solid rookie years but were overshadowed. 2007-08 was pretty solid as well (Kane, Backstrom, Toews).
As for this year, I have a real hard time seeing Hedman, Kulikov or any other D (Gilroy isn’t even in that class at all) winning the Calder. There are enough talented scorers that by sheer numbers the D are going to be overshadowed. Doughty had a real good year last season and he wasn’t even a finalist. I have a feeling everyone is overlooking people, and two finalists aren’t even on your list.
If you're after gettin' the honey, then you don't go killin' all them bees.
I’m not sure on what basis the Calder is voted on. Is it just on stats? Or does the voter consider the player’s impact on his team’s fortunes? For example, while it is true that Gilroy isn’t in the same category as the players I mentioned in terms of talent, what if he helped transform the Rangers moribund PP and, as a result, they made a deep playoff run—heaven forbid, BTW—?
I never said the list was exhaustive....
Yeah there are many I have left out.
Have you seen Duchene play yet? I suggest checking that kid out. He is going to be excellent.
As someone else pointed out, there is also Gustavsson in Toronto, and Leino in Detroit. The Rookie class this year all around is excellent. This class is so good the even the VS broadcasts as well as many of the local outlets are covering them like crazy.
I wouldn’t be surprised if at the end of the year at least three of em have 50 pt campaigns.
Leino from Red Wings
I believe this guy is still a rookie and from what I saw this guy can play.
Yep still a rookie
And that was going to be my choice. He is older, more experience and is on the Wings 2nd line. I think it’s his and is for some reason a sleeper pick.
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