Calder Trophy

[pixburgher66]

Feel free to make your case, because this is one of the toughest to gauge without watching a LOT of games. But my case, although I doubt it works because he doesn't put up flashy numbers: Olli Maatta. Holy crap is he good. Tonight he was playing like a freaking 15 year vet in the league with a pretty decimated Pens lineup out there. He's had some off moments, like any other player, but he's not let those moments bring him down. Very confident and comfortable back there. It's incredible to watch.


BTW if this thread exists elsewhere, please feel free to put these together, I did a search and came up with nothing (though I recall one for Hertl awhile back?)

 

[Darkstone42]

Feel free to make your case, because this is one of the toughest to gauge without watching a LOT of games. But my case, although I doubt it works because he doesn't put up flashy numbers: Olli Maatta. Holy crap is he good. Tonight he was playing like a freaking 15 year vet in the league with a pretty decimated Pens lineup out there. He's had some off moments, like any other player, but he's not let those moments bring him down. Very confident and comfortable back there. It's incredible to watch.


BTW if this thread exists elsewhere, please feel free to put these together, I did a search and came up with nothing (though I recall one for Hertl awhile back?)

He plays as big as he is, uses his body well to protect the puck as he looks for the outlet pass, and has a rocket shot from the point.

But he's not a flashy impact player, so he won't be winning it. He's a darned good two-way defenseman, but he doesn't take over games like a guy like Hertl can do from time to time.

 

[esls79]

Martin Jones

 

[Cobiemonster]

I think it'll either be Nathan MacKinnon, Sean Monahan or Tomas Hertl

Don't get me wrong, Olli Maatta has done really well, but I think they will look at the stats when all is set and done

 

[pixburgher66]

Martin Jones

Yeah, that kid came from outta nowhere. Holy moley. Wonder what they'll do when Quick is back. I mean, if Jones is the hot hand, you stick with him...and it's not like Quick was lighting the world ablaze pre-injury.

 

[Cobiemonster]

Yeah, that kid came from outta nowhere. Holy moley. Wonder what they'll do when Quick is back. I mean, if Jones is the hot hand, you stick with him...and it's not like Quick was lighting the world ablaze pre-injury.

Jonathan Quick isn't going anywhere but they could continue to ride Martin Jones for a little while and ease Quick back in

You just never know with goaltending though - and I still trust Jonathan Quick more than anybody because he's done it in the playoffs and I saw him have a not great regular season and then he was great in the playoffs last season

It's a nice problem to have for the Kings though

 

[pixburgher66]

I think it'll either be Nathan MacKinnon, Sean Monahan or Tomas Hertl

Don't get me wrong, Olli Maatta has done really well, but I think they will look at the stats when all is set and done

I agree, he's not flashy enough, I just want to make my case. Just like the Norris is no longer about being a good defensemen, you gotta have stats to win something like the Calder. That said, the only reason I see him having a shot is because none of those guys is lighting the world on fire. Not to say that 24 points in 33 games is bad...but it's nothing so amazing the award *has* to go to them. Maatta's case is also hurt by the fact that Torey Krug has the points as a Dman.

 

[Cobiemonster]

I agree, he's not flashy enough, I just want to make my case. Just like the Norris is no longer about being a good defensemen, you gotta have stats to win something like the Calder. That said, the only reason I see him having a shot is because none of those guys is lighting the world on fire. Not to say that 24 points in 33 games is bad...but it's nothing so amazing the award *has* to go to them. Maatta's case is also hurt by the fact that Torey Krug has the points as a Dman.

Yeah, it's not like anyone's running away with it - it'll be interesting to see how it plays out and whether any of those guys hit the rookie wall

 

[pixburgher66]

Jonathan Quick isn't going anywhere but they could continue to ride Martin Jones for a little while and ease Quick back in

You just never know with goaltending though - and I still trust Jonathan Quick more than anybody because he's done it in the playoffs and I saw him have a not great regular season and then he was great in the playoffs last season

It's a nice problem to have for the Kings though

The only reason I'd worry is because it seemed like a guy getting hot more than anything. Still, as an American, he's probably the guy I want in net come February. If he's healthy.

 

[Cobiemonster]

The only reason I'd worry is because it seemed like a guy getting hot more than anything. Still, as an American, he's probably the guy I want in net come February. If he's healthy.

Yeah for Team USA without a doubt he's the guy that you would want, I don't think going with the hot guy is always the best thing to do in tournaments like that(although they have to get started at some point) - a guy like Ben Bishop might be the goalie in the USA playing the best right now but can he handle the pressure of the Olympics? Jonathan Quick has played in big situations in his career and if he gets about a month or so to get back into the swing of things, he should be fine for the tournament - and it would actually help him too because it'll get him into the swing of the things as well without playing actual NHL games, so he would be in a rhythm once he comes back to the Kings again

 

[esls79]

Bishop struggled in the Worlds last year so much so that John Gibson had to take over for him - it's gotta be Quick and Miller right now with no one else even in consideration.

 

[Cobiemonster]

Bishop struggled in the Worlds last year so much so that John Gibson had to take over for him - it's gotta be Quick and Miller right now with no one else even in consideration.

That's what I'm thinking - I would probably give Ben Bishop the third string just because of how well he's played but it's Quick and Miller 1 and 2

 

[TiLoBrown]

Bishop struggled in the Worlds last year so much so that John Gibson had to take over for him - it's gotta be Quick and Miller right now with no one else even in consideration.

Schneider has less wear and tear, he's a good #3.

As for rookie I'm gonna go 100% homer and say Gelinas is the only reason the Devils win games. Well him and Marty

 

[awaz]

Feel free to make your case, because this is one of the toughest to gauge without watching a LOT of games. But my case, although I doubt it works because he doesn't put up flashy numbers: Olli Maatta. Holy crap is he good. Tonight he was playing like a freaking 15 year vet in the league with a pretty decimated Pens lineup out there. He's had some off moments, like any other player, but he's not let those moments bring him down. Very confident and comfortable back there. It's incredible to watch.


BTW if this thread exists elsewhere, please feel free to put these together, I did a search and came up with nothing (though I recall one for Hertl awhile back?)

laughton better be as good as he looks these days, that's all i have to say about olli maatta.

 

[Johnnydollaz89]

Home pick- Chris Kreider, tied for second in points for a rookie with 18.

Realistic pick- Sean Monahan or Nathan MacKinnon

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

As if now it has to be

#1 Tomas Hertl
#2 Nathan MacKinnon
#3 Torey Krug
#4 Tyler Johnson
#5 Chris Kreider

Honorable mentions: Valeri Nichushkin, Sean Monahan, Mark Arcobello, Alex Chiasson, & Tyler Toffoli

 

[pixburgher66]

Olli Maatta Goal (12.19.13) Video - NHL VideoCenter - Pittsburgh Penguins

Dropping this right here.

 

[Vadered]

Olli Maatta Goal (12.19.13) Video - NHL VideoCenter - Pittsburgh Penguins

Dropping this right here.

That was an alright penalty shot, until I realized it was taken by a rookie defensive defenseman that didn't involve a spinorama, slap shot, or a move made immediately followed by losing the puck.

You should trade him.

 

[pixburgher66]

That was an alright penalty shot, until I realized it was taken by a rookie defensive defenseman that didn't involve a spinorama, slap shot, or a move made immediately followed by losing the puck.

You should trade him.

No. I wuff him. <3 Really though, tonight was his night. A short handed penalty shot goal, 2 assists, +3, 21:46 TOI, 2:30 SH TOI. Of course this was on the second night of back to backs, in which he played 28 minutes the first night. He's just fantastic thus far.

 

[DoobeeDoobeeDoo]

Every night seems to be Maatta's night as of late. I guess with all the call ups at the blue line, Maatta has sort of become a veteran player. Has to lead by example.