Epic Calder Race 2024-25

[Bounces R Way]

Hell of a rookie class for sure. You can bitch about parity and expansion and watered down etc but judging by the amount of young talent that enters this league every year I'd say they're in good shape.

There's a reason not many goalies win the Calder trophy. NHL goaltender is probably one of the hardest jobs in pro(team) sports. I'd go NFL QB and MLB starting pitcher as harder but not much else. Flames god bless em for their moxy are legitimately terrible, their leading scorer is Huberdeau and he hasn't hit 50pts yet. Joel Hanley has averaged nearly 18 minutes on the blueline this year. Wolf has been that good, and if you've been paying attention it's not by any accident. He is extremely polished for a rookie G.

The other candidates are having great rookie skater seasons as well but as far as rarity goes what Wolf has done in his first full season is not seen often at all.

 

[Doublechin]

Usuallly when high profile rookie forwards come in, the fan base sees 50 points as a great success.

Hutson is almost at 50 assists, did Demidov gives the Habs 50 points next year, the majority of fans will be delighted and he's seen as the top prospect now

 

[wetcoast]

4 years old? Lol, we are talking about last year’s playoffs. Like I said, he got beat and abused like a rented mule every night in the series against Edmonton because he was already so worn down by the gruelling grind of the 1st round by the time he faced them lmao. He was literally the weak link defensively that Edmonton exploited all series long.

You were talking about the playoffs then the post you are quoting me on was about in general and now you are back to the playoffs.


Hughes wasn't as good in the playoffs but your take is just absurd, yes he wasn't as good as the regular season but he wasn't beaten like a mule for christs sake other people have watched him as well and the stat line shows him having the best relative corsi on his team in the playoffs last year.

You claim to “call balls and strikes” and see things objectively, but you’re here denying, minimizing, and making excuses for your boy’s lousy defensive play last postseason while simultaneously ragging on Hutson for a supposed defensive gaffe on a gimmick play off the draw in 3 on 3.

Pointing out is ragging in your world eh?

Look in the mirror buddy, your takes are absurd.

Like I have stated I pointed out the obvious on that play and I wonder how you can ever watch a post game where broadcasters are ragging, minimizing and making excuses on why the Habs didn't win the SC every year.

Most of the hab fans are great, sadly you are the exception to the rule.

BTW Hutson's Calder case rests on his stats and he isn't winning the Calder with his defense, even most Hab fans know this.

 

[The Last Red]

Nothing is dumber re: Hutson than the “bunch of secondary assists” garbage. The next highest scoring rookie D has about 20 points so clearly Lane Hutson must have some special power from a cereal box that only allows him to get secondary assists among rookie d-men. Obviously.

 

[Frank Drebin]

BTW Hutson's Calder case rests on his stats and he isn't winning the Calder with his defense, even most Hab fans know this.

You dont win calders, norris’, or hart trophies for great defensive play. Adequate defensive play with eye popping offensive numbers is what wins individual trophies for defensemen.


Unless you’re due

 

[Frank Drebin]

And for the record i think q hughes is a phenomenal player that Vancouver failed to insulate and support, coupled with unfortunate injuries to a couple of key players

 

[Just Linda]

Nothing is dumber re: Hutson than the “bunch of secondary assists” garbage. The next highest scoring rookie D has about 20 points so clearly Lane Hutson must have some special power from a cereal box that only allows him to get secondary assists among rookie d-men. Obviously.

If I'm not mistaken, second place for rookie dmen scoring belongs to Drew Helleson with 10 points.

Other than Hutson, it's a weak rookie d class but he's got over 5 times the points as second place.

 

[CanadienShark]

Post #16

You were pretty spot on too

I knew both would be contenders, but I'm honestly disappointed overall with this rookie class. I expected 6+ legit contenders. Obviously that should never be expected, but this seemed like potentially one of the best classes ever.

 

[Garbageyuk]

I knew both would be contenders, but I'm honestly disappointed overall with this rookie class. I expected 6+ legit contenders. Obviously that should never be expected, but this seemed like potentially one of the best classes ever.

It is though. Michkov will likely finish with 60 points or close to it, and might not even be a finalist.

 

[CanadienShark]

It is though. Michkov will likely finish with 60 points or close to it, and might not even be a finalist.

It's still a great year, but I expected huge things from Stankoven too, among others. My expectations were really high.

 

[Garbageyuk]

It's still a great year, but I expected huge things from Stankoven too, among others. My expectations were really high.

Yeah, just went back and read through the first few pages of this thread; there are some takes lmao

 

[MoneyManny]

This is a player who has been at the center of 6-2, 7-2, 8-2, 9-2, 6-3 (x2), and 7-3 results with some UGLY performances. I think it’s great that he can skate well and move the puck but none of the other rookies in the mix have sunk as low as Hutson has during this season.

The Pens ended up dead last in their conference during Mario Lemieux's rookie season. What a bust.

 

[ole ole]

You were talking about the playoffs then the post you are quoting me on was about in general and now you are back to the playoffs.


Hughes wasn't as good in the playoffs but your take is just absurd, yes he wasn't as good as the regular season but he wasn't beaten like a mule for christs sake other people have watched him as well and the stat line shows him having the best relative corsi on his team in the playoffs last year.


Pointing out is ragging in your world eh?

Look in the mirror buddy, your takes are absurd.

Like I have stated I pointed out the obvious on that play and I wonder how you can ever watch a post game where broadcasters are ragging, minimizing and making excuses on why the Habs didn't win the SC every year.

Most of the hab fans are great, sadly you are the exception to the rule.

BTW Hutson's Calder case rests on his stats and he isn't winning the Calder with his defense, even most Hab fans know this.

Well being a -27 shouldn't get you a sniff either than.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

The difference between 18 and 21 is not petty in the least.

The difference in position isn't either.

Maybe realise Ds come in later than forwards on average.

 

[ole ole]

It's not only relevant, it's a huge part of the story.

How good a player will be in a few seasons is irrelevant to the Calder race.

 

[ole ole]

...so Hutson is the problem in Montreal but Celebreni, who's also been at the center of some ridiculously bad losses, is a Savior...got it...

View attachment 993488

Please stop using common sense.

 

[ole ole]

This is a player who has been at the center of 6-2, 7-2, 8-2, 9-2, 6-3 (x2), and 7-3 results with some UGLY performances. I think it’s great that he can skate well and move the puck but none of the other rookies in the mix have sunk as low as Hutson has during this season.

Being the center of 7-2 8-1, 6-3, 6-3, 7-3, 6-5, 7-2, 6-2, 8-3, 7-3, 5-1, results in losses look so much better right? The -27 also looks really good. Run along.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

What Hutson is doing is amazing, especially as a rookie Dman. I’m not denying that. There’s still plenty of games left until we have a clear winner. Just arguing that Hutson has a 6% start in the defensive zone. He has a total of 1500 shifts. Only 90 of those shifts were in the defensive zone which IMO, is a pretty significant stat when you’re a defenseman. Also not caring about the number of shift starts you have in the offensive, defensive zone is ignorant. You can also argue the fact that Hutson has the highest percentage of starts in the offensive zone for his team because he’s offensively talented. You obviously wanted your most skilled players in the offensive zone as much as possible.

Man, you have your zone starts all whacked. It's 154O/216N/82D, not 6%. It's a bad argument, since Hutson's playing time in each zone is much more equal. And he's by far the Habs best offensive D. MSL would be dumb not to use him on O starts.

Your way of counting thing is stupendously ridiculous, going by his total shifts, as if every shift is on a faceoff. He's had ~450 faceoffs, not 1500.

Maybe you didn't realize this, but shifts also include when players change while the play is ongoing.

 

[Frank Drebin]

Wolf vs steve mason seasons

Minimum 32gp (roughly 50% of starts)
33 eligible goalies

Wolf is:
24th in GP (20th in mp)
21st in wins
6th in sv%
12th in gaa
12th -17th in shutouts

Calgary currently at 17th overall , previous year they were 24th

When Steve Mason won he was

10th in gp (61) (8th in mp)
11th in wins
14th in sv%
2nd in gaa
1st in so (10!)
Columbus finished 16/30 teams and made the playoffs after finishing 25th overall the year before

Mason beat out bobby ryan easily who had 31g and 57 pts in 64 games. Kris versteeg was a distant 3rd with 53 points in 78 games.

 

[Jabba11]

This thread is getting ridiculous borderline toxic.

Celebrini: 18 yo phenom that is years beyond expectations and nobody is denying that he will be a star in the NHL. He’s gonna be an important player when we continue to whoop USA on international level.

Dustin Wolf: Goalies take more time to develop and what he’s doing for the Flames is franchise changing impact. There is no doubt he could win the Calder easily.


Matvei Michkov: Seen him 5 times in person this year and I can tell you, this kid is a breath of fresh air for the Flyers and the fans. He’s adjusting to not only playing in North America, but for Torts who isn’t the easiest to play for. He’s the new face of the Flyers.

Ivan Demidov: I don’t care what you say, he’s the next Guy Lafleur. Should win the Calder and the Lady Byng. Electric, hard working 2-way winger with insane skills but better worth ethic.

Lane Hutson: Listen, do we really care what the haters are gonna say? Lane Hutson has been under the criticisms and hating for the majority part of his career just because he’s small. This kid HAS changed our team’s offense as a 20 yo 5ft9 168lbs rookie defenseman playing in the Mecca of hockey. He is under scrutiny every game yet, not one media had the balls to criticize him because his game has progressed even better game by game. He has the opportunity to beat Lidstrom’s rookie season production. That would put him in like the top 6-7 of all time behind guys like Larry Murphy, Leetch, Bourque and Chelios. Outbeating Lidstrom, Potvin. I really don’t care if he doesn’t win the Calder, get him nominated. The rest doesn’t matter, he’s a joy to watch and for our organization.

 

[ORRFForever]

Given the betting odds and the fact that there is only 1 months left in the (regular) season, I can't imagine Celebrini losing...

NHL Odds to Win Calder Trophy 2025

NHL Calder Odds for 2025. A look at the odds to win the Calder Trophy, including betting favorite Macklin Celebrini (-280).

www.covers.com

In Vegas, Celebrini seems to be pulling ahead.

 

[WRC]

You dont win calders, norris’, or hart trophies for great defensive play. Adequate defensive play with eye popping offensive numbers is what wins individual trophies for defensemen.

Ever hear of Rod Langway??

 

[Frank Drebin]

Ever hear of Rod Langway??

The guy who won the trophy 41 years ago?

 

[Gravity]

Find me one rookie D that has done what Hutson has this year playing on his off-side in the last 20 years. I'll wait.

Hutson is playing his off-side with Struble, a guy who was scratched for half the year....

 

[WRC]

The guy who won the trophy 41 years ago?

Yip, that's him. That was his 2nd Norris in a row. Had 33 points. ... Coffey had 126.