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

Shayne Ghostisbehere
- FlyersPhanatic012[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 have no problem with SG. Only with denying McDavid because he got injured, but rewarding a guy who missed 25% of the schedule not because of injury, but because he got cut.

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

If the games that McD missed don't matter, then why should the games Panarin played in another country in a different league on a different team matter?

If the games that McD missed don't matter, then why should the games Panarin played in another country in a different league on a different team matter?
- uf1910

Because he's seven years older and very obviously not a rookie. Whatever though, it's the rules. but half a year at +Crosby levels should get you the award.

How is this in anyway click bait?
- James_Tanner

90% of your posts that get any posting traffic are the same, analytics override what happens on the ice, a high scoring defenseman is more valuable than a two way defenseman, OEL is second only to karlsson, NHL writers are stupid if they don't agree with your assessment .....

When you write a piece without those inflammatory opinions you get a few replies at most.

This is probably the closest I've come to actually agreeing with one of your blogs... especially the whole Karlsson/Doughty thing, the Megadeth reference, and most importantly not wasting your time watching the annual train wreck that is the NHL Awards.

Then explain how SG got second/
- James_Tanner

I don't know and quite frankly I don't care. Nobody gives a poop who gets 2nd place. That being said he does play the more difficult position and he played it well so there is some credit due there. However, at the end of the day does 2nd place vs 3rd place really make a difference?

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......
- The-O-G

It's ok.....ignore my comment. I already know your comeback anyway; this guy was injured when McD was in the lineup, that guy was injured when McD was in the lineup.

Problem is that is exactly my point! McD can't influence his team THAT much!

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.
- paulr

Pretty much exactly what I am saying as well

I have no problem with SG. Only with denying McDavid because he got injured, but rewarding a guy who missed 25% of the schedule not because of injury, but because he got cut.
- James_Tanner

If you followed the Flyers the past few seasons you would be familiar with how forcefully patient Ron Hextall has been with every single one of our defensive prospects. If Shayne had been Ray Bourque, he would have been sent back to the AHL last pre-season, regardless.

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

Can I have some of whatever you are smoking? If you think a Rookie who had 48 points in 45 games could EVER beat out a guy who had 106 points in 82 games. To put this in layman's terms 1.06 points per game will NEVER beat 1.29 points per game

Because he's seven years older and very obviously not a rookie. but half a year at +Crosby levels should get you the award.
- James_Tanner

So playing 25 or more games makes a rookie season (as the award rules are written and you have argued) but the age rule (as it is written) should make him ineligible? Yes, please continue cherry picking your requirements to advance your argument

You can cry all you want, McDavid was the least important to his team. I thought Ghost should of won because as a defensemen, it was more impressive what he did and if it wasn't for him the Flyers wouldn't of made the playoffs. EDM was still a gutter team with McDavid and CHI would of made the playoffs without Panarin.

90% of your posts that get any posting traffic are the same, analytics override what happens on the ice, a high scoring defenseman is more valuable than a two way defenseman, OEL is second only to karlsson, NHL writers are stupid if they don't agree with your assessment .....

When you write a piece without those inflammatory opinions you get a few replies at most.
- paulr

First of all, once you open the blog to see whether or not there are any inflammatory opinions, you've already clicked it, so that makes no sense.

Opinionated pieces drive comments, but 99% of readers don't comment anyways, so there isn't that much of a correlation.

Finally, Jesus himself could write about the Coyotes and not get much traffic!!

You can cry all you want, McDavid was the least important to his team. I thought Ghost should of won because as a defensemen, it was more impressive what he did and if it wasn't for him the Flyers wouldn't of made the playoffs. EDM was still a gutter team with McDavid and CHI would of made the playoffs without Panarin.
- Devils9503

It's subjective, but McDavid was the best player in the NHL for the time he played, putting up stats better than both Kane (by p/60) and the all-round game of Crosby.

That's more impressive than being a first line dman in your rookie season.

So playing 25 or more games makes a rookie season (as the award rules are written and you have argued) but the age rule (as it is written) should make him ineligible? Yes, please continue cherry picking your requirements to advance your argument
- uf1910

I am not cherry picking, I'm just pointing out the rules as they are stupid.

You can think whatever you want, I happen to think Panarin won the least deserving award maybe ever, not counting Doughty.

If you followed the Flyers the past few seasons you would be familiar with how forcefully patient Ron Hextall has been with every single one of our defensive prospects. If Shayne had been Ray Bourque, he would have been sent back to the AHL last pre-season, regardless.
- FlyersPhanatic012

That isn't my point. I only meant to point out the inconsistency of the voting that penalizes McDavid for being injured but glosses over a guy being cut.

It's ok.....ignore my comment. I already know your comeback anyway; this guy was injured when McD was in the lineup, that guy was injured when McD was in the lineup.

Problem is that is exactly my point! McD can't influence his team THAT much!
- The-O-G

Your comment wasn't worth responding to because I've responded to it before. The Oilers didn't ice their optimal lineup even once and hockey is a team game. McDavid was absolutely dominant when he played, but unfortunately he can only play about a 1/3rd of a game.

Your comment wasn't worth responding to because I've responded to it before. The Oilers didn't ice their optimal lineup even once and hockey is a team game. McDavid was absolutely dominant when he played, but unfortunately he can only play about a 1/3rd of a game.
- James_Tanner

yeah, but most teams don't get to put out their optimal lineup. Injuries will always be a part of this game.
Kane was a more dominant player last year on a per game basis. I think McDavid will be next year (not just Kane but the whole of the NHL).

first, you're an opinionated a-hole. And I mean that literally.

second, why should an employee who didn't show up for half the year win "employee of the year"? if you don't play for more than 1/3 of the season you shouldn't even be considered in my opinion.

third, megadeth is awesome. (old megadeth anyways!)

fourth, i don't even know what your name is...and wont remember it ever. braden holty will always be remembered, and not for a stupid reason like his name.

fifth, who cares what he looks like. the man is an amazing gt, and i'd rather have him kick me in the nuts than hang out with a sourpuss like yourself.

sixth, kane is innocent until proven guilty. i hate the guy too, doesn't mean he doesn't more than deserve that award this year.

now shut up, and go back into your mom's basement to your chronic masturbating whle watching Hansen videos you seem so familiar with.

You mean like, if Tanner was rich he'd be better looking?


Just kidding Tanner…I don't know what you look like
- LeftCoaster

I do

How many rookies that have missed half a year have won the Calder?

His stats would be in his favor over Crosby and Kane because they played almost 40 more games.

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.
- James_Tanner

You deserve every bit of it for your propensity to make thick headed comments that have no basis in reality. This is what you're not getting, that award isn't given to the defensemen that scores the most points. Again for the third time...It's given to the defensemen that demonstrates the best all-round ability in that position. What does a defensemen do? HE DEFENDS THE NET!!! Is that so hard to understand???

I'm done arguing with someone that is clearly biased for Karlsson. Good Day Sir.

Your comment wasn't worth responding to because I've responded to it before. The Oilers didn't ice their optimal lineup even once and hockey is a team game. McDavid was absolutely dominant when he played, but unfortunately he can only play about a 1/3rd of a game.
- James_Tanner

Then how can any team with McJesus be an instant Stanley Cup contender???

You're a joke!

I do


- jimi james

first, you're an opinionated a-hole. And I mean that literally.

second, why should an employee who didn't show up for half the year win "employee of the year"? if you don't play for more than 1/3 of the season you shouldn't even be considered in my opinion.

third, megadeth is awesome. (old megadeth anyways!)

fourth, i don't even know what your name is...and wont remember it ever. braden holty will always be remembered, and not for a stupid reason like his name.

fifth, who cares what he looks like. the man is an amazing gt, and i'd rather have him kick me in the nuts than hang out with a sourpuss like yourself.

sixth, kane is innocent until proven guilty. i hate the guy too, doesn't mean he doesn't more than deserve that award this year.

now shut up, and go back into your mom's basement to your chronic masturbating whle watching Hansen videos you seem so familiar with.
- TBroad

Did Tanner bang your sister in the bumhole?