Lawyer mode engaged:
To be considered a rookie, a player must not have played in more than 25 NHL games in any preceding seasons, nor in six or more NHL games in each of any two preceding seasons. Any player at least 26 years of age (by September 15th of that season) is not considered a rookie.

We have an age cap, 26. The rules do not render age ambiguous. There is no instruction to consider professional experience outside of the NHL discernable in the rule, in fact it is exclusively NHL experience that is to be considered. Panarin is a rookie. Age is a factor in determining that status and he is properly identified as eligible for the Calder. To suggest that he be subjected to double consideration of his age is contrary to the rule which has elected a bright line cutoff. It is thoroughly improper for age to be considered when comparing rookies for the Calder because it has been considered in determining their rookie status. Those players eligible for Calder consideration are of a defined class and for the purposes of the award they are on equal footing whether 18 or 25. They are rookies, the Calder goes to the best rookie. The suggestion of EK and others is simply not appropriate and I think you guys know it.

Also, someone called McDavid Abrahsmson Christ "the best player in the NHL." This is a dumb statement.
- WJDiedrich

It is tough to say. I would not call it a dumb statement.

Further, he is the best rookie this year. If you Chicago or Philly or Detroit fans want to get all excited about their guy winning rookie of the year, great.

You all know though that McDavid was the best

If McDavid finishes the season on a league leading pace he should win. Panarin is great but it is quite obvious that McDavid is on another level.

In all honesty though, who cares? Panarin has a great shot at the cup this year and McDavid is going to be competing for the Hart for the next decade or so. The Calder doesnt mean a whole lot in the grand scheme of things.

Based on the pro-McDavid arguments, a player having an MVP season but breaks a leg at Christmas still gets the MVP at the end of the year.
Anyways, Panarin had another 2 points last nite while McDavid had none. And the award people actually remember is the Stanley Cup.

Let the year finish before worrying about it.

One needs to play at least close to a full season to be considered for an award.Those that can stay healthy deserve credit for that. Putting up points in bunches is easier when your legs are fresher. He's now scoring against other players who've been playing, often times every other day, while he's been sitting out injured. Not getting considered because of injury isn't a "punishment" for that player, it's extra points for those who've been battling through games all year long. Am I saying he doesn't have the skill to maintain it for a full season, absolutely not. I'm just saying we need to see it.
- GoHawks1

Ummm What a stupid comment... Those that can stay healthy deserve credit for it...

Panarin should be disqualified. He's been a pro over in Russia since the end of 08-09 season. Hell, he played over a 100 pro games before McDavid even stepped into the OHL!

Now Gostisbehere on the other hand should absolutely be in the discussion. He does impress!
- cdninatl

This...

Crosby has 22 points From Feb 2 - Mar 5th and played 16 games, Mcdavid has played 17 in that time. Counting the Mar 6th games. Crosby 24 points in 17 games, Mcdavid 22 points in 18 games. Crosby for MVP!!!!

Ummm What a stupid comment... Those that can stay healthy deserve credit for it...
- saskoil21

Yes...

I love the argument against EVERY Blackhawks' player from opposing fans..."They are all really good so none of them are good." Panarin is a stud and if any of you watch the Hawks more than once a month you would see that he is more than deserving of the Calder, regardless of his linemate. McDavid is a great player and if he somehow almost catches Panarin in points by the end of the year, he has a case. As it stands now, Panarin is at a PPG pace and isn't slowing down. The rules are the rules. He is a rookie in the NHL, so he should win the Calder.

Big if true.

I love the argument against EVERY Blackhawks' player from opposing fans..."They are all really good so none of them are good." Panarin is a stud and if any of you watch the Hawks more than once a month you would see that he is more than deserving of the Calder, regardless of his linemate. McDavid is a great player and if he somehow almost catches Panarin in points by the end of the year, he has a case. As it stands now, Panarin is at a PPG pace and isn't slowing down. The rules are the rules. He is a rookie in the NHL, so he should win the Calder.
- EnzoD

Consensually or forcefully?

Consensually or forcefully?
- glove_was_stuck

2011 must feel like a lifetime ago...Good thing you got Joe Morrow back in the Seguin trade...now there is a stud

2011 must feel like a lifetime ago...Good thing you got Joe Morrow back in the Seguin trade...now there is a stud
- EnzoD

Stud city. Way less rapey.

It is tough to say. I would not call it a dumb statement.

Further, he is the best rookie this year. If you Chicago or Philly or Detroit fans want to get all excited about their guy winning rookie of the year, great.

You all know though that McDavid was the best
- Aetherial

This

The battle over the hardware is pretty irrelevant IMO.

The best rookie is mcdavid whether he wins the award or not. No debate.
Hell, maybe there is something to be said about playing the full season. And if they want to use that as a parameter for who gets it, that's fine.

I love the argument against EVERY Blackhawks' player from opposing fans..."They are all really good so none of them are good." Panarin is a stud and if any of you watch the Hawks more than once a month you would see that he is more than deserving of the Calder, regardless of his linemate. McDavid is a great player and if he somehow almost catches Panarin in points by the end of the year, he has a case. As it stands now, Panarin is at a PPG pace and isn't slowing down. The rules are the rules. He is a rookie in the NHL, so he should win the Calder.
- EnzoD

No one is doubting that Panarin is very good, its just that he is not a rookie pro hockey player

Crosby has 22 points From Feb 2 - Mar 5th and played 16 games, Mcdavid has played 17 in that time. Counting the Mar 6th games. Crosby 24 points in 17 games, Mcdavid 22 points in 18 games. Crosby for MVP!!!!
- lazydog

Crosby has 22 points From Feb 2 - Mar 5th and played 16 games, Mcdavid has played 17 in that time. Counting the Mar 6th games. Crosby 24 points in 17 games, Mcdavid 22 points in 18 games. Crosby for MVP!!!!
- lazydog

Crosby has risen from the dead!
But Kane is blowing his doors off in pts/game.
Kane has to win the Hart

Did you guys forget about Eichel? As for Panarin, you could put a shoe beside Toews and Kane and it would put up 50 points

Crosby has 22 points From Feb 2 - Mar 5th and played 16 games, Mcdavid has played 17 in that time. Counting the Mar 6th games. Crosby 24 points in 17 games, Mcdavid 22 points in 18 games. Crosby for MVP!!!!
- lazydog

Also more like, where was Crosby before Feb 2?

No one is doubting that Panarin is very good, its just that he is not a rookie pro hockey player
- ifiwasgm

It's the way the rule is written. If the NHL changes the rule to disqualify anyone with professional experience in another league, fine. By that logic, Austin Matthews will be ineligible next year too.

No one is doubting that Panarin is very good, its just that he is not a rookie pro hockey player
- ifiwasgm

The Calder Trophy isn't awarded to the best player playing in his first season of professional hockey. It's awarded to the best rookie in the NHL. Panarin fits that and the age requirements. Should guys who played in the AHL not be eligible since they were playing professional hockey too?

The Calder Trophy isn't awarded to the best player playing in his first season of professional hockey. It's awarded to the best rookie in the NHL. Panarin fits that and the age requirements. Should guys who played in the AHL not be eligible since they were playing professional hockey too?
- eichiefs9

That's connor mcdavid then. Hands down


Now if you're drawing caveats that arent explicitly stated in the rules like "must play 60+ games" or "the guy who plays the most games gets more consideration", then no problem. I don't even think that's necessarily unfair. everyone is entitled to what they see as relevant.

But Connor mcdavid is the best rookie in the nhl whether he wins the Calder or not

You literally know nothing about hockey. The success of this website is astounding.

The Calder Trophy isn't awarded to the best player playing in his first season of professional hockey. It's awarded to the best rookie in the NHL. Panarin fits that and the age requirements. Should guys who played in the AHL not be eligible since they were playing professional hockey too?
- eichiefs9

The only hardware Oiler fans have any hope for this year is the Calder. They are so focused on this that they will defy all logic. Please bear with them.

EDIT: Oh, and thank you Oilers for rookie Erik Gustafsson .

The only hardware Oiler fans have any hope for this year is the Calder. They are so focused on this that they will defy all logic. Please bear with them.

EDIT: Oh, and thank you Oilers for rookie Erik Gustafsson .
- 67hawks

If only this were true, your narrative might have some validity, but it's not. This thread is proof of it. Hawks fan seem to care though. Philly fans too. Even the post you responded to didn't mention Connor, so who's the one truly focused ??...

Oiler fans don't care about the calder.
They have the best rookie by a country mile regardless of who gets the hardware. They know it and so do you.

It seems the only one spewing any vitriol about the scenario is you. Who also happens to be a hawks fan. Coincidence?......