Post by Yzerman Is The Man on Aug 24, 2015 9:06:43 GMT -6
Well I figured I'd write about some of my preseason Calder trophy candidates and as Chet would call this "#Sharkboyvegandotes". On my list I'm just going to narrow it down to five candidates. When I first started writing this blog my intentions was to have close to ten candidates but I soon realized it was going to be way too long of a blog so I narrowed it down to five players.
This is just a preseason list, once the season gets going I think we all know there'll be some darkhorse candidates that come out of nowhere and surface up. Perfect example of this is Nikolay Goldobin(Yeah I said it and all you guys can suck it). Without further or do lets begin the list of five.
Mind you this is in no particular order or ranking, just my top candidates.
Connor McDavid-Edmonton Oilers-
McDavid will no doubt i'm sure be most everybodies favorite to win the Calder. That's just what happens when you're considered to be the NHL's best prospect since Sidney Crosby back in 2005. McDavid's superb offensive talent and his high hockey IQ make McDavid a OEL choice and a lock to win this for some. We know McDavid's going to be in the Oilers top six most likely as the second line center. If we go off what we know now Taylor Hall has a good chance to be on McDavid's wing as they've already been practicing together. McDavid's going to have plenty of opportunity to put up some points this season. A McDavid/Hall combination is scary good to think about and opposing teams should be wary of this. I know I am as a Sharks fan.
Sam Bennett-Calgary Flames-
We got introduced to Bennett during the Flames playoff run last season as one of Backlund's wingers. Though this season Flames head coach Bob Hartley has had this to say "we're obviously expecting a big training camp from him at center and see how he does. I'm not a big fan of moving young centers to the wing. Hopefully we can keep him all year at center". Hartley said. So going by what was said Bennett will obviously be in the top nine as a center and could have either one of Frolik or Jones as wingers. Me personally a Bennett/Frolik combo would be excellent. Bennett will be able to put up some points with his outstanding offensive skill set. Plus Bennett's going to get the weaker matchups with Monahan and Backlund going against opposing teams top lines.
Jack Eichel-Buffalo Sabres-
The soul eating ginger, one of Sluttagers people. Having said that I know Eichel will be in the Sabres top nine as either second line center or third line center. Most people believe that Eichel will start out as the third line center, with the Sabres to somewhat mimic how Patrick Roy head coach of the Colorado Avalanche handled their former number one overall pick Nathan Mackinnon. Eichel's got tremendous speed and a big shot to go along with a high hockey IQ. I don't think it'll take Eichel too long before he unseats Ryan O'Reilly as the Sabres number one center. Eichel's just too talented and has as good a chance as anybody for the Calder.
Nikolaj Ehlers-Winnipeg Jets-
If Ehlers can make the team then there's no doubt in my mind he'll have a OEL chance for the Calder. This kid's an electric talent as I would call him a dangling playmaking sniper and will be able to put up some points. There's no way Ehlers will be back at Halifax if he doesn't make the Jets roster and he's too young for the AHL. Ehlers has already stated that if he doesn't make the Jets team then he'll play this upcoming season in Europe in the Swiss National League, your favorite Feds. But I gotta believe Ehlers will make the Jets roster he's the perfect replacement in the Jets top six for the departed Frolik. Also he's one of the thirteen forwards on the Jets roster right now.
Max Domi-Arizona OEL's
I got to figure Domi will make the team this year after impressing last year at training camp but being sent back to the London Knights to get more seasoning. Domi's ready and i'm sure Head coach Dave Tippett will have fellow rookie Anthony Duclair on the same line together. The dynamic duo as they're being called now, someone should tell Tanner about that so he can freak out and profess his love. Getting back on track Domi's a highly skilled player and if he is indeed with Duclair then those two could do some damage down in the desert. Albeit I know Duclair could hurt Domi's Calder chances being that he's eligible also. It's just with Domi's skill set i find it hard to overlook him as a strong candidate..............Plus he has OEL.
Who's your Calder candidates? I look forward to hearing everones choices.
Thanks for reading.
This is just a preseason list, once the season gets going I think we all know there'll be some darkhorse candidates that come out of nowhere and surface up. Perfect example of this is Nikolay Goldobin(Yeah I said it and all you guys can suck it). Without further or do lets begin the list of five.
Mind you this is in no particular order or ranking, just my top candidates.
Connor McDavid-Edmonton Oilers-
McDavid will no doubt i'm sure be most everybodies favorite to win the Calder. That's just what happens when you're considered to be the NHL's best prospect since Sidney Crosby back in 2005. McDavid's superb offensive talent and his high hockey IQ make McDavid a OEL choice and a lock to win this for some. We know McDavid's going to be in the Oilers top six most likely as the second line center. If we go off what we know now Taylor Hall has a good chance to be on McDavid's wing as they've already been practicing together. McDavid's going to have plenty of opportunity to put up some points this season. A McDavid/Hall combination is scary good to think about and opposing teams should be wary of this. I know I am as a Sharks fan.
Sam Bennett-Calgary Flames-
We got introduced to Bennett during the Flames playoff run last season as one of Backlund's wingers. Though this season Flames head coach Bob Hartley has had this to say "we're obviously expecting a big training camp from him at center and see how he does. I'm not a big fan of moving young centers to the wing. Hopefully we can keep him all year at center". Hartley said. So going by what was said Bennett will obviously be in the top nine as a center and could have either one of Frolik or Jones as wingers. Me personally a Bennett/Frolik combo would be excellent. Bennett will be able to put up some points with his outstanding offensive skill set. Plus Bennett's going to get the weaker matchups with Monahan and Backlund going against opposing teams top lines.
Jack Eichel-Buffalo Sabres-
The soul eating ginger, one of Sluttagers people. Having said that I know Eichel will be in the Sabres top nine as either second line center or third line center. Most people believe that Eichel will start out as the third line center, with the Sabres to somewhat mimic how Patrick Roy head coach of the Colorado Avalanche handled their former number one overall pick Nathan Mackinnon. Eichel's got tremendous speed and a big shot to go along with a high hockey IQ. I don't think it'll take Eichel too long before he unseats Ryan O'Reilly as the Sabres number one center. Eichel's just too talented and has as good a chance as anybody for the Calder.
Nikolaj Ehlers-Winnipeg Jets-
If Ehlers can make the team then there's no doubt in my mind he'll have a OEL chance for the Calder. This kid's an electric talent as I would call him a dangling playmaking sniper and will be able to put up some points. There's no way Ehlers will be back at Halifax if he doesn't make the Jets roster and he's too young for the AHL. Ehlers has already stated that if he doesn't make the Jets team then he'll play this upcoming season in Europe in the Swiss National League, your favorite Feds. But I gotta believe Ehlers will make the Jets roster he's the perfect replacement in the Jets top six for the departed Frolik. Also he's one of the thirteen forwards on the Jets roster right now.
Max Domi-Arizona OEL's
I got to figure Domi will make the team this year after impressing last year at training camp but being sent back to the London Knights to get more seasoning. Domi's ready and i'm sure Head coach Dave Tippett will have fellow rookie Anthony Duclair on the same line together. The dynamic duo as they're being called now, someone should tell Tanner about that so he can freak out and profess his love. Getting back on track Domi's a highly skilled player and if he is indeed with Duclair then those two could do some damage down in the desert. Albeit I know Duclair could hurt Domi's Calder chances being that he's eligible also. It's just with Domi's skill set i find it hard to overlook him as a strong candidate..............Plus he has OEL.
Who's your Calder candidates? I look forward to hearing everones choices.
Thanks for reading.
