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Philadelphia Flyers: Three Reasons Shayne Gostisbehere Could Win the Calder Trophy

By Anthony Mazziotti

Apr 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (53) during the second period against the Washington Capitals in game six of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (53) during the second period against the Washington Capitals in game six of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Shayne Gostisbehere, Philadelphia’s friendly Ghost, managed to win Philadelphia Flyers’ fans over in a shortened season and become a finalist for the Calder Trophy.

Shayne Gostisbehere had an incredible season for the Philadelphia Flyers, so incredible that he was named a finalist for the Calder Trophy, rookie of the year, alongside Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers and Artemi Panarin of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Artemi Panarin lead all of the rookies in goals scored, assists, power play points, and game-winning goals, which should be enough to lock him in for the Calder Trophy. Connor McDavid is one of the most notorious names in hockey, he posted 48 points, good for fourth among rookies, despite missing three months with a clavicle injury.

With these two powerhouse rookies what makes me so sure that Shayne Gostisbehere could bring the Calder Trophy home with him tonight? There are three things, in my opinion, that separate him and made him the most valuable rookie in the NHL.

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  • The Point Streak.
    Every Flyers fan is aware of the point streak. Shayne Gostisbehere broke, not only the rookie defenseman point streak record but the actual defenseman point streak record. A record set in 1995 and held by the long-time Detroit Redwing, Chris Chelios. The point streak is also good for a Philadelphia Flyers record for points in consecutive games held by a rookie.Shayne Gostisbehere made history with his point streak. Something that none of the other candidates for the Calder Trophy did in their season. The point streak isn’t Ghost’s only claim to fame, he brought more to the ice than a 15 game point streak.
    • His Statistics.

    Shayne Gostisbehere put up impressive statistics for a defenseman who only played a partial season. Ghost scored 17 goals, 29 assists, 46 points, 8 power play goals, 22 power play points, and 4 overtime goals. Not only did he lead rookie defenseman in those categories, but his 4 overtime goals set a rookie record and tied the NHL defenseman record.Did I mention that he did all of that in 64 games? Did I also mention that he had the most goals by a rookie defenseman since

    Dion Phaneuf

    netted 20 in 2005-2006? What the Ghost did for the Philadelphia Flyers doesn’t stop at the point streak and his paranormal statistics. There is still one more thing that should solidify himself as the Calder Trophy victor.

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    Shayne Gostibehere was more valuable to the Flyers than the other candidates were to their teams.

    Anyone who watched the Philadelphia Flyers in the second half of this past season couldn’t miss that Shayne Gostibehere was arguably the most important player on the ice. Not to mention he brought home the Gene Hart Memorial award, given annually to the Flyer who shows the most heart, and the

    Barry Ashbee

    Trophy, given annually to the most outstanding Flyers defenseman.Down the stretch, when the Philadelphia Flyers were making their playoff push, Ghost was one of the most important pieces. He always came up big when the Flyers needed him the most. Here he is making a fantastic play on the puck and assisting on one of the biggest goals of the year, an overtime winner against the Winnipeg Jets.https://twitter.com/NHLFlyers/status/714630114810662912In lieu of watering this article down with GIF’s and video clips of Ghost’s highlights, I’ll just add this tweet from the Flyers official twitter.https://twitter.com/NHLFlyers/status/745620563444408320The stats that Artemi Panarin put up were scary good, don’t get me wrong, but I just feel like on a team that’s as stacked as the Blackhawks it was easier for him to do the things that he did. If a team spent most of it’s energy trying to shut down the likes of

    Patrick Kane

    , Jonathon Toews,

    Marian Hossa

    , even defenseman like

    Duncan Keith

    I feel like it would be easier for someone like Panarin to put up numbers because there simply isn’t enough manpower to shut down that entire roster. It could be a matter of his supporting cast assisting him more than him actually being that good.What Connor McDavid did was pretty special as well, but if we’re talking about what a player did in a shortened season, Shayne Gostibehere has him beat. He put up two fewer points from a defensive position and sprung his team from a middle of the pack team to a playoff team that took the best regular-season team in hockey to six games.

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    Shayne Gostisbehere deserves to win the Calder Trophy. Plain and simple. He did enough to solidify himself as the best rookie defenseman to play the game this past season, why not make it official and say he was the best rookie in hockey this past season? I look forward to seeing what the ruling is at the NHL Awards tonight. #GhostForCalder

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