If he played 82 games we'd be sitting here talking about his Hart Trophy, so I don't think giving him the Calder after 41 games is bad at all.
- James_Tanner

No he wouldn't have. Edmonton would have still been on the outside looking in.

A) Take a huge step back on that one. I think that is a bit of a reach.
B) He didn't, I can play the If Game all day long too.
- ImThatGuy

Besides...the Oilers had a worse record with him IN the lineup

I would think having jesus on the ice would give you a better chance to win......

Has anyone on a NON PLAYOFF TEAM ever won the Hart Trophy? Because if that's the case, McDavid is in for a long career without a single award

This isn't hyperbole at all. Just like my post isn't sarcastic.
- Mentalorgasm5

Adjusted for era, Karlsson really did just have a season that compares only to Bobby Orr. It is a fact that you would need to be like four Chara's at once to make up for that 32 point difference.

Also, let's pause for a minute to realize he put those points up with Ottawa's forwards.

I don't think my post was hyperbole, I think it was restrained.

He may be the best rookie of the bunch, but he did not have the best year, which is kind of what the award indicates. The Rookie who had the best year. I don't know how you can have the best year while being injured for half of it.
- ImThatGuy

Not much question to the "may" be the best rookie IMO. Now that being said he didn't have the best rookie year thus the award was awarded correctly

The NHL awards have always been a joke but it shouldn't be a surprise by now. I don't see how anyone could possibly think that McDavid wasn't "the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League." It wasn't even close. Then again, these are the same people who thought Bob Hartley was the best coach last year.
- Hunkulese

Nah, Panarin deserved the Calder.

Not much question to the "may" be the best rookie IMO. Now that being said he didn't have the best rookie year thus the award was awarded correctly
- uf1910

So no one wants to talk about how Panarin was in his seventh season of professional hockey or how Gotstisbehere didn't make his team until the season was 25% over but still finished ahead of McDavid. Or how McDavid posted a superior stats line prorated over the entire season than either Kane or Crosby?

You clearly didn't read it.
- James_Tanner

I skimmed, apparently not well enough, your only mistake was blogging about it

McDavid runs away with the Calder if he plays 60+ games. Impressive when he played, just didn't play enough.

The James Norris trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League's top "defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position".

All-round ability, not points.
- SimmerDown17

Tanner knows, but click bait overrides criteria.

Has anyone on a NON PLAYOFF TEAM ever won the Hart Trophy? Because if that's the case, McDavid is in for a long career without a single award
- LeftCoaster

You really think he is going to resign in Edmonton his first chance at getting the hell out?!

If he played 82 games we'd be sitting here talking about his Hart Trophy, so I don't think giving him the Calder after 41 games is bad at all.
- James_Tanner

Therein lies the problem with your theory

"If" is the operative word and "if" is the reason he didn't win it b/c the "if" question was answered. Calder is awarded for best rookie season, not best or most talented rookie

You really think he is going to resign in Edmonton his first chance at getting the hell out?!
- Cooshie

Good point….I feel shame

Holy Wars

So no one wants to talk about how Panarin was in his seventh season of professional hockey or how Gotstisbehere didn't make his team until the season was 25% over but still finished ahead of McDavid. Or how McDavid posted a superior stats line prorated over the entire season than either Kane or Crosby?
- James_Tanner

MEH, it wasn't the NHL - Should Matthews be exempt from voting this year too?

A) Take a huge step back on that one. I think that is a bit of a reach.
B) He didn't, I can play the If Game all day long too.
- ImThatGuy

This

I'll write it slower and in bold so you can understand. All.....round...ability.

It's not the Hart trophy for defensemen. It doesn't matter how many points Karlsson put up.

So no one wants to talk about how Panarin was in his seventh season of professional hockey or how Gotstisbehere didn't make his team until the season was 25% over but still finished ahead of McDavid. Or how McDavid posted a superior stats line prorated over the entire season than either Kane or Crosby?
- James_Tanner

Essentially hockey writers are a bunch of idiots, this year just really put an exclamation point on that!

Oh…I forgot, I used to play with Holtby's old man (Greg) he's just a short little guy, I wonder how Braden got so tall?

The NHL awards have always been a joke but it shouldn't be a surprise by now. I don't see how anyone could possibly think that McDavid wasn't "the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League." It wasn't even close. Then again, these are the same people who thought Bob Hartley was the best coach last year.
- Hunkulese

For the bold

When he played...

Tanner knows, but click bait overrides criteria.
- paulr

How is this in anyway click bait?

Therein lies the problem with your theory

"If" is the operative word and "if" is the reason he didn't win it b/c the "if" question was answered. Calder is awarded for best rookie season, not best or most talented rookie
- uf1910

Then explain how SG got second/

Therein lies the problem with your theory

"If" is the operative word and "if" is the reason he didn't win it b/c the "if" question was answered. Calder is awarded for best rookie season, not best or most talented rookie
- uf1910

I've seen McDavid play live 6 or 7 times and I happen to believe McDavid will prove himself to be the best player in the NHL, one day. However he did not have the best rookie season so he did not win the Calder. Seems pretty cut and dry to me.

What Shayne Ghostisbehere did this year was absolutely unprecedented. Just like what Aaron Ekblad did in 2014-15 was unprecedented.

Shayne Ghostisbehere [3rd round 78th overall 2012 (2015-16 season)]:

17G - 29A - 46P in 64GP


Aaron Ekblad [1st round 1st overall 2014 (2014-15 season; Calder Winner)]:

12G - 21A - 36P in 81GP


I see your beef with Panarin winning the Calder but you are completely off base in regards to Ghost. McDavid simply needed more games to win the award, but in my opinion, any rookie defenseman who puts up those numbers deserves it over a slightly above point a game forward (especially a forward who has the weapons McDavid does).

It's beyond numbers even, as those who watched Ghost on a game to game basis would tell you how much he controlled play and his speed almost completely made up for any defensive shortcomings. James, you're appreciation of Erik Karlsson should clue you in as to what that particular type of dman does for a team.

I'll write it slower and in bold so you can understand. All.....round...ability.

It's not the Hart trophy for defensemen. It doesn't matter how many points Karlsson put up.
- SimmerDown17

My favorite part about this job is when people get condescending and sarcastic while being objectively wrong.

Once again, let's try to think about how good you'd have to be at defense to overcome a 32 point difference in scoring. Even if you're the best at defense and EK is the worst, I don't even know if that's possible while still being in the NHL.

Then explain how SG got second/
- James_Tanner

Writers are idiots and this is nothing more than a popularity contest fuelled by folks who actually think their opinions matter? You can barely fit three of their heads into a concert hall their ego's are so big.