Panthers @ Leafs - Mar. 28th, 7:30pm - TSN4, TSN 1050

[Kin]

Matthews, Laine, Nylander, Murray, Werenski?

If I had a vote right now it'd probably be:

1. Matthews
2. Werenski
3. Laine
4. Nylander
5. Marner/Murray

That #5 spot is a tough one.

If Matthews finishes ahead of Laine in goals that pretty much finishes that part of the debate.  In fact I think it finishes the debate period.  Werenski has been good but no way a defenseman outvotes a centerman from hockey's biggest market.  The rest fall into the category "In Any Other Year...."

I think the interesting thing there will be to get to see if there's any anti-leafs feeling out there in the voting community. You're right that if Matthews finishes #1 in scoring then it's likely a done deal but a tie or a point or two behind and it might be wide open.

 

[Bender]

Laines also played, what, 7 fewer games? Does that not put a wrench in it? Anyway I think coming up an playing centre from the get go and doing all he's done is more impressive than just the raw point totals. He's a much more complete player than Laine.

 

[Zee]

Laines also played, what, 7 fewer games? Does that not put a wrench in it? Anyway I think coming up an playing centre from the get go and doing all he's done is more impressive than just the raw point totals. He's a much more complete player than Laine.

Laine's on a better point pace.  If he had stayed healthy he was on a 41 goal pace.  Not sure how, if at all the voters factor that in. 

Honestly I'd love to see Matthews win the Calder, but I won't lose sleep over it if he doesn't.  The more important thing is the Leafs getting into the playoffs.

 

[hockeyfan1]

-Laines also played, what, 7 fewer games? Does that not put a wrench in it? Anyway I think coming up an playing centre from the get go and doing all he's done is more impressive than just the raw point totals. He's a much more complete player than Laine.

Laine's on a better point pace.  If he had stayed healthy he was on a 41 goal pace.  Not sure how, if at all the voters factor that in. 

Honestly I'd love to see Matthews win the Calder, but I won't lose sleep over it if he doesn't.  The more important thing is the Leafs getting into the playoffs.

Watching the TSN panel last night, most believe that at some point, Laine will the first to  score 50 goals ahead of Connor McDavid.  All agree that Laine's a better shooter than most.

 

[Kin]

Laines also played, what, 7 fewer games? Does that not put a wrench in it? Anyway I think coming up an playing centre from the get go and doing all he's done is more impressive than just the raw point totals. He's a much more complete player than Laine.

I don't see the games played thing making a big difference. I think there'd be something to be said if he'd missed more games or the ppg difference was larger but I think a lot of voters don't consider things all that deeply and will just look at totals.

 

[Zee]

Laines also played, what, 7 fewer games? Does that not put a wrench in it? Anyway I think coming up an playing centre from the get go and doing all he's done is more impressive than just the raw point totals. He's a much more complete player than Laine.

I don't see the games played thing making a big difference. I think there'd be something to be said if he'd missed more games or the ppg difference was larger but I think a lot of voters don't consider things all that deeply and will just look at totals.

The success of the team will probably also factor in even though it shouldn't.  The fact that Jets are out and Leafs (might be) in the playoffs will probably push Matthews to the win.

 

[McGarnagle]

Honestly I'd love to see Matthews win the Calder, but I won't lose sleep over it if he doesn't. 

Same. If someone had said choose between winning outright, or having 3 of your rookies in the top 5(ish), I think the answer is pretty obvious. The main thing is that the leafs have had incredible fortune in drafting these 3 cats high + Brown and having them all pan out simultaneously.

The down side being we really needed another top lottery pick to elevate the D. But too late to worry about that this season.

 

[L K]

Matthews, Laine, Nylander, Murray, Werenski?

If I had a vote right now it'd probably be:

1. Matthews
2. Werenski
3. Laine
4. Nylander
5. Marner/Murray

That #5 spot is a tough one.

Yeah I think my ballot would be

1. Matthews
2. Werenski
3. Laine
4. Murray
5. Nylander

 

[Highlander]

Marner would have been in the mix without the injury I suggest

 

[AtomicMapleLeaf]

Marner would have been in the mix without the injury I suggest

I think Mitch is going to get more votes than most think, especially from folks who grew up as Leafs fans.  Long time Leaf fans have always endeared themselves to underdogs.