Is Gostisbehere a front runner for Rookie of the Year?

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HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 8 years ago
Is Gostisbehere a front runner for Rookie of the Year?

It has been a questions that has risen as of late and has some validity to it. Can Shayne Gostisbehere win the Calder Trophy for rookie of the year in the NHL?

He has already broken the rookie record for points in consecutive games by a defenseman. He has 34 points in 40 games, including 12 goals.

If we compare those number to Aaron Ekblad who won the Calder as a rookie last season, Ghost has the advantage. Ekblad scored 12 in 81 games and finished with 39 points. Ekblad had 6 power play goals and 0 overtime winners. Gostisbehere already has 6 power play goals and has 4 overtime winners. If he continues his pace, he will easily pass the 39 points set by Ekblad last season.

The only disadvantage to Shayne is that he has only played 40 games. He has put up great numbers but will that be a deciding factor? Gostisbehere has a 0.85 points per game average going. Now if he would have played all 58 of the Flyers games, that would put him at about 49 points, which would already be 10 points better than Ekblad. We can't be sure that he would continued that amazing pace, but who knows.

Now for the challengers. The only real competition is coming from Artemi Panarin. Who himself is having an amazing rookie season for the Hawks. Panarin is clicking at almost a point per game with 57 points in 59 games. He has 22 goals, 5 on the power play, 6 game winner but only 1 overtime winner. He has been turning heads so Gostisbehere will be in a tough battle to the end.

As it looks right now, it is a 2 horse race. Gostisbehere and Panarin. The question will be about in which way will the voters sway. We now it is much harder for a rookie defenseman to have such a strong offensive production. How much will the streak and total goals come into play. The importance of those goals. Will the fact that Shayne has played less games hurt him? Considering Panarin is playing with Patrick Kane, will that be a factor?

There are almost too many questions. One thing for sure, if Ghost continues to play how he has been playing, he will definitely have a great chance to take home the Calder!

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