Why Landy Should Win The Calder

The Calder Trophy. We could tell you what it is, but we here at Avaholics Unanimous don’t want to talk to down to you. That’s not what we’re here for. Chances are, if you are reading this, you know exactly what it is. And why should Gabriel Landeskog win over Ryan Nugent-Hopkins? (Sorry Adam Henrique, but just enjoy the show). Because in all around hockey, Landy was better. People who voted for RNH or want him to win probably look at the two players identical point totals (52) and see that RNH (We’re just too lazy to keep writing out his name) has played in 20 less games. Well, news flash everyone on team RNH: POINTS AREN’T EVERYTHING IN A HOCKEY GAME. If you want RNH to win, then you clearly don’t appreciate everything that happens on the ice in any given player’s shift. As most should know, Landeskog is already a superb two-way player, physical beyond his years, and a leader. The extra letter on his Sweden Jersey in the 2012 IIHF World Cup of Hockey demonstrates that. Now, not to take anything away from RNH, an offensive dynamo and future superstar, but in his first full year of National Hockey League competition, he did not demonstrate all the qualities in a desired player that Gabriel Landeskog did. He was offensive. The other aspects of his game need work, especially in comparison to Colorado’s young star. Landeskog may not have had a higher points per game average than Nugent Hopkins, but what he brought to the Colorado Avalanche on the ice and in the locker room is reason enough for the young Swede to win this award. And come on people, Landeskog speaks perfect English. That’s got to be worth something too.