Epic Calder Race 2024-25

[Jurivan Demidovsky]

Hutson another measly 1 point game.. do better.

 

[tiburon12]

Man i wanted Hutson to go end-end when he stripped Kreider in OT. You could see it coming too. Would have been $$$

 

[MangoX]

Hutson is on an amazing 8 game point streak with 12 points! (one goal, 11 assists).

 

[Crosby2010]

In almost any scenario, a defenseman who has as many points as a forward is going to win the award. So right now it is Hutson leading the race here. Michkov and Celebrini are the other candidates. I'm taking Celebrini over Michkov simply because Celebrini missed more time and is still right with him. Hutson is the leading guy here though I think. Unless Celebrini puts on a clinic in the 2nd half of the season and Hutson cools off. So it is between those two for sure. Bedard and Faber last year were the two guys but Bedard had several more points in less games since he missed 13 games. So for a forward to win over a defenseman I think he needs to do that pretty much. Celebrini still could do it though.

 

[Rants Mulliniks]

I'm going to guess that Hutson having his worst game of the season after playing like a superstar for an extended stretch wasn't because Toronto cracked the code on him but because Hutson just had a really bad game.

All players have strengths and weaknesses. His was on display. Believe it or not, it is entirely possible for other players to influence the outcome.

Reminds me of when Chara was in his prime. I forget which team it was against but I had said before the series started if I was the coach I would tell my players to dump it in his corner every time and forecheck and hit him hard over and over again. Make him hear footsteps, make him feel pain.....wear him down. Everyone mocked and babbled about rushes the other way blah blah blah. Turns out the team in question did exactly that and completely neutered him from that series.

 

[Dondini3]

All rookies had bad games once in a while. No big deal. The Habs should have lost against the Rangers. Hutson made a rush that allowed Slaf to score to tie the game and then Laine won it in OT. So the Habs lost two points against the Leafs because of Hutson bad play. But he made up for that with the game against the Rangers.

Not really sure what game you are watching but the habs were the much better team against the rangers. Rangers had the lead most of the game yes but that third period was insane and quick was bailing them out all game. Bad luck on the bounce goal. Some lazy plays on goals 1 and 4 and terrible reffing on goal 3. But the habs had many more high danger chances than the rangers. Dobes was a bit shaky and didn’t really need to do much until overtime

 

[Frank Drebin]

eminds me of when Chara was in his prime. I forget which team it was against but I had said before the series started if I was the coach I would tell my players to dump it in his corner every time and forecheck and hit him hard over and over again. Make him hear footsteps, make him feel pain.....wear him down

brilliant, wonder if nhl teams have ever thought of this

 

[JustAHabFan]

Not really sure what game you are watching but the habs were the much better team against the rangers. Rangers had the lead most of the game yes but that third period was insane and quick was bailing them out all game. Bad luck on the bounce goal. Some lazy plays on goals 1 and 4 and terrible reffing on goal 3. But the habs had many more high danger chances than the rangers. Dobes was a bit shaky and didn’t really need to do much until overtime

I know the Habs dominated the Rangers but Quick played so well that Habs could lose 3-4 if Hutson didn’t make that rush to allow Slaf to tie game. Dominating the game doesn't mean you win the game. When Slaf tied the game, there were less than 7 minutes remained in the game.

 

[Dondini3]

I know the Habs dominated the Rangers but Quick played so well that Habs could lose 3-4 if Hutson didn’t make that rush to allow Slaf to tie game. Dominating the game doesn't mean you win the game. When Slaf tied the game, there were less than 7 minutes remained in the game.

Yes the way you explained it, I agree 100%. Happy to get the win. I had a game myself Saturday night and only watched the first period. My team got pumped and the habs got pumped that night so I haven’t looked much into what went wrong for the habs Saturday night lol. All I seen was Hutson -5 and that Woll played great

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

The closer Hutson gets to reach rookie D records, the least likely the other candidates will win it.

He's 25 assists away from tying the record. 17 ES points from tying the record. 38 total points from the record.

He has 27 points in his last 25 games. 24 assists in 25 games. 16 ES points in 25 games.

He has 36 games left to play.

It's looking more and more likely like he'll be only the 3rd rookie dman in NHL history to reach 70 points. More and more likely he'll get to 60+ assists. More and more likely he'll get to 40+ ES points.

If the betting line is still high for Hutson, take the bet.

 

[Essenege]

All players have strengths and weaknesses. His was on display. Believe it or not, it is entirely possible for other players to influence the outcome.

I mean your kind of right, although let’s not blow this out of proportion. McMann and Nylander goals were kind of weird turnovers, 80% of Ds get caught there. Matthews goal was from the outside and it’s a shot you give the forward all day (xgoal on that shot was .03)

Hutson has not been bad at all this year defensively but he still has learning to do against top offensive forwards and the leafs have a few of them…There’s no players like this in college….

 

[wetcoast]

I mean your kind of right, although let’s not blow this out of proportion. McMann and Nylander goals were kind of weird turnovers, 80% of Ds get caught there. Matthews goal was from the outside and it’s a shot you give the forward all day (xgoal on that shot was .03)

Hutson has not been bad at all this year defensively but he still has learning to do against top offensive forwards and the leafs have a few of them…There’s no players like this in college….

Matthews goal was form a turnover from Hutson at the Leaf line and then he was lost defensively, he had a horrible game, maybe not as bad as the +/- indicates but it is what it was just horrible.

Saturday was a really bad game for Hutson, no way to sugar coat it and Sunday not so great either but it will be interesting what the voters are leaning next time some good information comes out because Celebrini has been playing with garbage for a while now and while Wolf has made progress he seems unlikely to be in the top 2 any time soon.

Michkov will be lucky to be a finalist IMO.

 

[leopod]

Matthews goal was form a turnover from Hutson at the Leaf line and then he was lost defensively, he had a horrible game, maybe not as bad as the +/- indicates but it is what it was just horrible.

Saturday was a really bad game for Hutson, no way to sugar coat it and Sunday not so great either but it will be interesting what the voters are leaning next time some good information comes out because Celebrini has been playing with garbage for a while now and while Wolf has made progress he seems unlikely to be in the top 2 any time soon.

Michkov will be lucky to be a finalist IMO.

Sunday not so great either? Agree to disagree. No, I think voters will consider his point streak far more than his "horrible" defensive showing for 1/82th of a season on Saturday, especially if he keeps up ramping up points and creating scoring chances the way he does.

 

[wetcoast]

Sunday not so great either? Agree to disagree. No, I think voters will consider his point streak far more than his "horrible" defensive showing for 1/82th of a season on Saturday, especially if he keeps up ramping up points and creating scoring chances the way he does.

I do agree that voters will be looking mostly at points but Hutson isn't that great defensively people saying otherwise are just out to lunch or have an agenda.

The voters last year had a Dman who was much better defensively and did pretty okay with offense as well in Faber and he lost pretty handily to Bedard and celebrini has an excellent 2 way game so who knows how the voters are going to handle it but any point streak will most likely be low on the list.

I think in days past some voters would look strictly at points but more now will at least look at teammates and situations but who knows how it will all shake out right now but the 8 game point streak doesn't say any more than that performance on Saturday night thus the muted response as it was Phil housley bad.

 

[Frank Drebin]

I do agree that voters will be looking mostly at points but Hutson isn't that great defensively people saying otherwise are just out to lunch or have an agenda.

The voters last year had a Dman who was much better defensively and did pretty okay with offense as well in Faber and he lost pretty handily to Bedard and celebrini has an excellent 2 way game so who knows how the voters are going to handle it but any point streak will most likely be low on the list.

I think in days past some voters would look strictly at points but more now will at least look at teammates and situations but who knows how it will all shake out right now but the 8 game point streak doesn't say any more than that performance on Saturday night thus the muted response as it was Phil housley bad.

I look forward to the updates as the season progresses

“He only outscored celebrini by 11 points this season while playing more games with better teammates, i think the voters will remember the william nylander breakaway goal from January 18th just as much as the all time assist record for rookie defensemen”

 

[wetcoast]

I look forward to the updates as the season progresses

“He only outscored celebrini by 11 points this season while playing more games with better teammates, i think the voters will remember the william nylander breakaway goal from January 18th just as much as the all time assist record for rookie defensemen”

You watched the game and know how horrible he played and I'm made zero mention of the Nylander goal and yes Hutson is playing with better linemates on the ice than Celebrini or heck any rookie and we don't know how voters factor that in but it's still a fact that even hab fans would agree upon right?

 

[HighLifeMan]

Wolf should be a finalist (at this point)

There is an argument to be made that he is already a top five goaltender in the league, and is by far the biggest reason Calgary is even sniffing a playoff spot. He's neck and neck with Hellebuyck in five on five play despite playing on a significantly worse team. It's a shame that Calgary's PK is so terrible.

 

[danisonfire]

I do agree that voters will be looking mostly at points but Hutson isn't that great defensively people saying otherwise are just out to lunch or have an agenda.

The voters last year had a Dman who was much better defensively and did pretty okay with offense as well in Faber and he lost pretty handily to Bedard and celebrini has an excellent 2 way game so who knows how the voters are going to handle it but any point streak will most likely be low on the list.

I think in days past some voters would look strictly at points but more now will at least look at teammates and situations but who knows how it will all shake out right now but the 8 game point streak doesn't say any more than that performance on Saturday night thus the muted response as it was Phil housley bad.

The bold is where he lost the award and I am on record as saying he got robbed. Voters don't care about "did pretty okay offense". They want headliners and love points.

Hutson isn't the best defensive D in the league but he is far from the worst. He has 62 shot blocks and 26 takeaways while he is lighting it up offensively. Offense always comes first for these awards. It also helps him when his direct competition has a worse +/- than him with all of those empty net goals he has been on thee ice for when our team needs a goal late in the game. He is -2 so far in December and January even after the one game with -5.

 

[Frank Drebin]

You watched the game and know how horrible he played and I'm made zero mention of the Nylander goal and yes Hutson is playing with better linemates on the ice than Celebrini or heck any rookie and we don't know how voters factor that in but it's still a fact that even hab fans would agree upon right?

The award goes to the rookie who had the best season

End of story.

If Hutson outproduces celebrini and or michkov there won’t be much of a discussion to be had. Hutsons bad game and-5 rating from Saturday will be absorbed into the 82 game body of work .
I don’t have celebrini under a microscope but i bet he’s had some underwhelming games. I know michkov has had some.

You know, because they’re rookies?

Anyway, im excited to hear your evolving thoughts as the season progresses

Wolf should be a finalist (at this point)

There is an argument to be made that he is already a top five goaltender in the league, and is by far the biggest reason Calgary is even sniffing a playoff spot. He's neck and neck with Hellebuyck in five on five play despite playing on a significantly worse team. It's a shame that Calgary's PK is so terrible.

Imo hutson and wolf have had the most impressive rookie seasons

 

[wetcoast]

The bold is where he lost the award and I am on record as saying he got robbed. Voters don't care about "did pretty okay offense". They want headliners and love points.

Probably but Faber was also the legit #1 all situations Dman on his team as a rookie and wasn't sheltered he was playing veteran type of minutes. Hutson probably is at best in a 3 way tie there in Montreal using the same metric.

Hutson isn't the best defensive D in the league but he is far from the worst. He has 62 shot blocks and 26 takeaways while he is lighting it up offensively. Offense always comes first for these awards. It also helps him when his direct competition has a worse +/- than him with all of those empty net goals he has been on thee ice for when our team needs a goal late in the game.

Sure if the voters look strictly at points it's going to help the case for Hutson quite a bit but if they dig deeper Celebrini has the better case right now but his team situation has really hurt him or helped him lately depending on what the voters look at.

 

[Frank Drebin]

Sure if the voters look strictly at points it's going to help the case for Hutson quite a bit but if they dig deeper Celebrini has the better case right now but his team situation has really hurt him or helped him lately depending on what the voters look at.

You keep referencing Faber not winning despite his great defensive play. Robbed as you say. Often as a case against Hutson winning. What makes you think they'll dig deeper on Celebrini?

 

[danisonfire]

Probably but Faber was also the legit #1 all situations Dman on his team as a rookie and wasn't sheltered he was playing veteran type of minutes. Hutson probably is at best in a 3 way tie there in Montreal using the same metric.

Sure if the voters look strictly at points it's going to help the case for Hutson quite a bit but if they dig deeper Celebrini has the better case right now but his team situation has really hurt him or helped him lately depending on what the voters look at.

Hutson has been Montreal's #1 D as well. He is just more offensive in nature than Faber. That is what the voters like for these popularity contests.

Like I said, I would have picked Faber but I understand why he lost the award. Bedard (with his elite -44 +/-) also outscored Faber by 14 points and Faber was one point ahead of Hughes. Right now Huston (D) is 5 points ahead of the top forward and on pace to beat Bedards rookie point total. I don't see how he doesn't win the award if that continues until the end of the season.

Even not looking at points, Hutson has helped completely turned around the team. San Jose and Montreal were side by side in the standings on November 15th and both teams were on the way to the #1 pick. Media and hockey analysts had both of these teams pegged to finished at the bottom of our divisions and conferences at the start of the season and any talk of Montreal being vastly superior talent wise is revisionist history that walks hand in hand with Montreal's rise. Montreal got boarderline zero credit until they started winning games.

 

[wetcoast]

You keep referencing Faber not winning despite his great defensive play.

It's in reference to what the voters did last year.

Robbed as you say.

I'm not saying that he was robbed, he was clearly top 2 but voters were obviously more impressed by Bedard's offense and probably how weak the Black Hawks offense was when he went down.

Often as a case against Hutson winning.

Every year is different with different players and narratives, Celebrini has already been building his 2 way play narrative and Huston has received more traction since the Habs have gone on their streak.

What makes you think they'll dig deeper on Celebrini?

I don't, that's why I posed it as a question.

A lot might come down to how each player looks in the games voters look at and that's where it gets tricky as Celebrini, since the beginning of December when Hutson has gained traction has stood out on a really bad Sharks team, other Habs players, notably the return of Laine and his PPG production have also looked quite good.

In the articles I have read about the Calder in the last couple of years there doesn't seem to be a lot on the subject of what motivates the voters for the most part other than overall points.

 

[wetcoast]

Hutson has been Montreal's #1 D as well. He is just more offensive in nature than Faber. That is what the voters like for these popularity contests.

That's debatable and certainly not to the extent Faber was the undisputed #1 D in Minny and wasn't sheltered.

Hutson has the most points but Hab fans know how import Guhle and Matheson have been to the team so I wouldn't equate the 2.

Like I said, I would have picked Faber but I understand why he lost the award. Bedard (with his elite -44 +/-) also outscored Faber by 14 points and Faber was one point ahead of Hughes. Right now Huston (D) is 5 points ahead of the top forward and on pace to beat Bedards rookie point total. I don't see how he doesn't win the award if that continues until the end of the season.

The team situation with the black Hawks last year was crap and voters don't really care all that much for +/- and Bedard had the narrative last season.

Even not looking at points, Hutson has helped completely turned around the team. San Jose and Montreal were side by side in the standings on November 15th and both teams were on the way to the #1 pick. Media and hockey analysts had both of these teams pegged to finished at the bottom of our divisions and conferences at the start of the season and any talk of Montreal being vastly superior talent wise is revisionist history that walks hand in hand with Montreal's rise. Montreal got boarderline zero credit until they started winning games.

Yes Hutson has helped but it has been a huge group effort.

Someone brought up Hutson on the PP this season and I went back and looked at Laines' return so I'll post the teams production form that date then go back to the 15th an do it again.

Celebrini has been by far the most productive Shark since that date and it's not even really close.

NHL Stats

The official source for NHL Stats including skaters, goalies, teams stats and more.

www.nhl.com

For Montreal there is a Big 4 (return of Laine for the PP)

NHL Stats

The official source for NHL Stats including skaters, goalies, teams stats and more.

www.nhl.com

From November 15th onwards it looks like more of a team group effort for Montreal

NHL Stats

The official source for NHL Stats including skaters, goalies, teams stats and more.

www.nhl.com

Celebrini still really stands out for the Sharks over that time period but like I said I don't know how deep of a look some or most voters have.

 

[Walksss]

Hey guys did you know if you really take a deep dive in to how awesome one players points while also making sure everyone knows any other players points are because of team play you could help sway a Calder vote?