Article: Rossi or Faber: Which Wild Player Is More Likely To Make A Calder Trophy Push?

[Tony Abbott]

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[Velgey]

Faber's rookie season will likely be a better representation of his overall career value, but Rossi's rookie value better fits what attracts Calder votes.

If you had to guess what Faber's career will look like, what would say? He's likely going to be a responsible defenseman with some offensive upside, a good Top 4 option. Based on the small sample size last season, he already looks a lot like that prediction. But that role doesn't attract Calder votes the way pure offense does.

If you had to make the same guess for Rossi (and you are optimistic), you probably say he'll likely be a borderline 1C playmaking center and provides replacement-level defense. Hopefully that is where Rossi ends up, but he hasn't looked it just yet. Even so, if he makes a step or two in that direction, it would mean he's doing the kind of things that would attract Calder votes.

Both are longshots, but what else are we going to talk about this time of year?

[FredJohnson]

Faby Baby is my vote. Creed Bratton... I mean Deano won't give Rossi enough ice time until he "earns it".

[TCMooch]

It would be better for the team if it was Rossi however I think Faber will have better rookie year.

[Up North Guy]

BUT, if Grizzle has another injury prone year DE may be forced to put Rossi on KK97's line. That would certainly open up a lot of chances to get points.

[Luke Sims]

The NHL does not want to give the Calder trophy to a defensive-minded defenseman. Rossi is the sexier pick and the more marketable option for the NHL and most of these young playmakers like Bedard, Cooley, and Fantilli are. The NHL wants exciting players who make highlight reel plays and give them content to put on TikTok. 

 

Faber forcing Jordan Kyrou to the outside in the middle of a 2-1 game in St. Louis during a dreary day in November, doesn't quite do it for the Calder voters. 

Makar, Seider, and Ekblad are all notable offensive defensemen and it does not seem like at this point Faber will be a player that racks up points. Even if Faber's play on the defensive side of the puck warrants it, chances are very slim that he wins the trophy. 

[mnfaninnc]

I'm going to file this under the opportunity area:

1 thing is opportunity with the team, but the other is opportunity to be seen. Against some of the stellar matchups, where Faber or Rossi goes against McDavid, or other large market teams, they need to stand out in a good way with the press.

Who are we really kidding? MN is not a press destination area. So, this will need to be done on the road, mostly. How many national games do we have against the big boys? Like above, Faber pushes Kyrou to the outside in a 2-1 game in November. For starters, who outside of the fanbases is even watching that game?

Now, how about Faber robs Bedard on a sneaky recovery from a breakaway? That has got a little something to it! Or, Bedard is stymied all game long from Faber who just owns him? That might help. Or that same thing happens while Rossi puts up 1-3 in a great 4 point game?  

[Protec]

2 hours ago, Luke Sims said:

The NHL does not want to give the Calder trophy to a defensive-minded defenseman. Rossi is the sexier pick and the more marketable option for the NHL and most of these young playmakers like Bedard, Cooley, and Fantilli are. The NHL wants exciting players who make highlight reel plays and give them content to put on TikTok. 

 

Faber forcing Jordan Kyrou to the outside in the middle of a 2-1 game in St. Louis during a dreary day in November, doesn't quite do it for the Calder voters. 

Makar, Seider, and Ekblad are all notable offensive defensemen and it does not seem like at this point Faber will be a player that racks up points. Even if Faber's play on the defensive side of the puck warrants it, chances are very slim that he wins the trophy. 

Good points. I hope Faber is watching Erik Karlsson highlights and practicing wristers from the point through traffic. Improve a little on that and practice some stretch passes for the right tines and Faber can be at least as good as Suter ever was. Of course, Faber would need to increase his rat-levels too. Suter has always been good at getting away with chops, cross-checks, and Billy Butters style defending. Wish Faber come through the UofM when Butters coached the defense. Meaner, harder, and aggravating is what takes certain guys off their game. Suter on Kaprizov is the perfect example. I'll be the first to cast stones at Suter but I can admit he does some fundamental things really well on the ice. Faber could be better if he rounds out his game with some scoring and sandpaper.(heavy-grit)

[Will D. Ness]

4 hours ago, Luke Sims said:

The NHL does not want to give the Calder or Norris trophy to a defensive-minded defenseman. 

It's all about the shiny goal.

[Up North Guy]

2 hours ago, Protec said:

Suter has always been good at getting away with chops, cross-checks, and Billy Butters style defending.

I was the recipient of Billy Butters shot to the nose in high school. I would love our defense to be that kind of brick wall.

[Pewterschmidt]

Rossi probability for the Calder?  Ok, at what point can we all begin to think about this kind of speculation as pure fan delusion?  If Rossi holds down 3rd line C responsibilities on a regular basis for the entire second half of the season I think everyone in the front office (brackett, BG) all let out a heavy sigh of relief.  

Fuckin' Calder?!?!

[Beast]

If I had a million dollars, I would put it up to win $1 that neither win it.  I wouldn’t lose a wink of sleep over it between now and the award ceremony.  It’s a free dollar.