Ryan Wilson: Can Olli Maatta Win The Calder Trophy? Penguins beat Wild 5-2 in Matt Cooke's return. Can Maatta win the Calder?

MacKinnon the front runner so far? He's quietly putting up a good season as an 18 year old.

Ryan Wilson: Can Olli Maatta Win The Calder Trophy?
Penguins beat Wild 5-2 in Matt Cooke's return. Can Maatta win the Calder?
- Ryan_Wilson

I think he should get strong consideration for the Calder. He has looked fantastic thus far, shows great poise with the puck and has the smarts for the game. I think it will most likely come down to a point scoring forward.

Maatta is a good (a very, very good) young player. Unfortunately, I don't see him getting the ice time required, once some vets return, to put up the production needed. Bylsma is very loyal to his vets, for better or worse. Once Letang, Scuderi, and Martin return, they'll get the top-3 minutes, and Maatta will, fairly or not, get less ice time. It's just like Despres last year; despite how well he played, he was scratched/sent down for Engelland. I see the same thing happening this year, despite Maataa showing he deserves big minutes. In the end, he'll probably end up in the top 5 in voting behind the likes of MacKinnon, Hertl, Monahan, and Jones.

I think MacKinnons name is already being etched . Kid is the next one. Getting better each game.

Evgeni Malkin who has been out of action with injury now trails by 10 points and his Art Ross aspirations are probably over at this point.

I don't think that's the case. One hot week by Malkin and that gap can close pretty quickly.

Also, keep in mind that he and Neal have only played 14 games together this season. In those 14 games, Malkin is at 1.71ppg. Crosby is at 1.38 for the year. That's a tough pace to keep up, but a couple hot weeks would go a long way towards doing it.

Maatta's chances of putting up more points would go up a lot if we weren't icing AHL forwards right now as well. Tough spot.

Ryan Wilson: Can Olli Maatta Win The Calder Trophy?
Penguins beat Wild 5-2 in Matt Cooke's return. Can Maatta win the Calder?
- Ryan_Wilson

There is a few Defense man having a good rookie season like Matta and Krug Gelinas also obviously comes to mind for me because he plays for the Devils but these guys are all going to be overlooked by a forward with a flashy name and high draft spot. Every one likes the sexy pick even if it's not always the right one. ( not saying Mackinnon isn't a good choice or the most deserving ).

There is a few Defense man having a good rookie season like Matta and Krug Gelinas also obviously comes to mind for me because he plays for the Devils but these guys are all going to be overlooked by a forward with a flashy name and high draft spot. Every one likes the sexy pick even if it's not always the right one. ( not saying Mackinnon isn't a good choice or the most deserving ).
- blizzzard

Don't forget Jones. He's playing top pair minutes out in Nashville.

"Amazing Crosby assist"?
Didn't I see Claude Giroux score that goal himself last night instead of passing? That was an amazing GOAL

Don't forget Jones. He's playing top pair minutes out in Nashville.
- jmatchett383

Exactly him to. He likely has the best chance to win of the Defence though because he is the youngest ? was taken 4th this year and was supposed to go #1 if a D is going to win it, it will be Jones because of his draft status ( not saying he wouldn't deserve it if he did )

Don't forget Jones. He's playing top pair minutes out in Nashville.
- jmatchett383

Not so much. The last 8 games around 10 minutes per game..

So what you're saying is he's the next Nick Lidstrom?

Exactly him to. He likely has the best chance to win of the Defence though because he is the youngest ? was taken 4th this year and was supposed to go #1 if a D is going to win it, it will be Jones because of his draft status ( not saying he wouldn't deserve it if he did )
- blizzzard

I don't think Jones would get it based on his draft status, it's because he's playing tough minutes on a pretty bad team and still producing offensively. Not knocking Maatta, Krug, Lindholm, or Gelinas, but from what I've watched, Jones is the most well-rounded of the crop.

Not so much. The last 8 games around 10 minutes per game..
- bixll

Huh...I was not aware of that. I just know that he was averaging about 23 min/game last I looked.

So what you're saying is he's the next Nick Lidstrom?
- BulliesPhan87

I don't feel comfortable at all saying that, but I think he can share a very similar style to how Lidstrom played.

Huh...I was not aware of that. I just know that he was averaging about 23 min/game last I looked.
- jmatchett383

Look again, his wheels fell off.

Over the past 6 games, average around 12 minutes.

I don't think Jones would get it based on his draft status, it's because he's playing tough minutes on a pretty bad team and still producing offensively. Not knocking Maatta, Krug, Lindholm, or Gelinas, but from what I've watched, Jones is the most well-rounded of the crop.
- jmatchett383

If he wins he will have likely earned it and deserved to win but these other guys play a lot of minutes to NJ isn't the best team and Gelinas logs 20 - 20+ on most nights. But if it came down to Jones and Krug or Matta it would likely go to Jones because he is the sexy pick kind of like how Nuge got it over Gabe and Henrique

If he wins he will have likely earned it and deserved to win but these other guys play a lot of minutes to NJ isn't the best team and Gelinas logs 20 - 20+ on most nights. But if it came down to Jones and Krug or Matta it would likely go to Jones because he is the sexy pick kind of like how Nuge got it over Gabe and Henrique
- blizzzard

You may want to double check that.

I don't feel comfortable at all saying that, but I think he can share a very similar style to how Lidstrom played.
- Ryan_Wilson

He plays a very similar style and is a very good offensive player. But a true Lidstrom comparison is probably 3-4 years away.

Look again, his wheels fell off.

Over the past 6 games, average around 12 minutes.
- bixll

Do you know why? Are they just trying to give him some easier minutes, or ???

Do you know why? Are they just trying to give him some easier minutes, or ???
- jmatchett383

He is getting beat up a bit with the long minutes. His + / - is not great. He is just very young. It will take some time, but I can't see Rookie of the year. Never know.

last game he was playing against the other teams 3rd and 4th lines. Maybe get some confidence back.

My feelings is it comes down to Hertel and Mac. Mac wins it.

There is a few Defense man having a good rookie season like Matta and Krug Gelinas also obviously comes to mind for me because he plays for the Devils but these guys are all going to be overlooked by a forward with a flashy name and high draft spot. Every one likes the sexy pick even if it's not always the right one. ( not saying Mackinnon isn't a good choice or the most deserving ).
- blizzzard

The forwards this year have been a bit underwhelming. Will be interesting to see how they progress, whether they hit a wall or get stronger.

He is getting beat up a bit with the long minutes. His + / - is not great. He is just very young. It will take some time, but I can't see Rookie of the year. Never know.

last game he was playing against the other teams 3rd and 4th lines. Maybe get some confidence back.

My feelings is it comes down to Hertel and Mac. Mac wins it.
- bixll

This is what worries me about Maatta getting so many minutes. He's been a rock so far but he's never been exposed to this kind of pressure and competition. Hate to see him crack at the wrong time of year.

This is what worries me about Maatta getting so many minutes. He's been a rock so far but he's never been exposed to this kind of pressure and competition. Hate to see him crack at the wrong time of year.
- madmike71

He is also on a far better team. More puck possession will take the heat off him.