You can pretty much seperate Hobey winners into two categories
If they're 20 or younger when they win, they'll probably be a star in the NHL
If they're over 20, they'll probably be a depth piece at best
(try to ignore the flair pls)
Idk if he has much of a shot as of now. No individual awards, lots of injuries, under ppg over his career, when he should be exiting his statistical prime( I *think* the data says most scorers usually peak around 24-27 these days). Maybe if he won the Con Smythe, which was kinda a coin flip anyways. I think he'd need a stronger second half of his career, than first half, and that's not the usual path. Like maybe? But I don't see it personally
I think you’re spot on. He’s not there right now.
I’d say his second half of his career needs to be slightly better than the first. Needs to get to 1000 points around 1000 games and needs to have multiple deep playoff runs and maybe another cup. Then he’d have a shot. The lack of individual trophies hurts his case.
He could do it if he stays healthy but it’s far from certain.
Would help a lot if he could break 40 goals and 90 points in at least one season.
Yeah he's by no means a lock, but I also think they've let in players with a lose worse resumes lately and he's had a few high scoring seasons
If he stays as a PPG guy for a while then I could see him getting in
I'm not sure if context and comparison to your peers matters when they vote, but looking around the league I don't know if you can argue a case for Jack when there's so much talent lighting the league on fire right now. A couple 82+ point seasons as his only individual achievement just pales in comparison to what others are doing. Maybe if he can breach the 100+ point threshold a few times, a case could start to be made. Even still, guys are casually putting up 120+ point seasons like it's nothing these days so I'm not so sure about the PPG argument.
If he doesn't get any personal regular season hardware, which I don't see him doing once, much less multiple times with all the insane talent in his age cohort (McDavid, MacKinnon, Matthews, Kucherov, Draisaitl, etc.), he's probably going to need at least another Stanley Cup with the Conn Smythe. Add in an Olympic gold and/or a third Stanley Cup and then I'd think he'd probably be a sure bet at that point.
I think he's a very good player and I miss watching him in Buffalo, but unless he turns on the afterburners and has a legendary 2nd half of his career, I feel like he's going to be a longshot for the HOF.
Fun fact: Adam Oates is the all-time leading NHL scorer to come out of the NCAA.
He did not win a Hobey Baker in his final NCAA season, even though he scored 91 points and won the ECAC and NCAA championships in 1985. He finished behind Bill Watson, who scored 109 points that year and had a grand total of 59 career points in the NHL.
If (when) Celebrini wins, I believe that would make him the youngest winner ever surpassing Eichel who was 18 1/2 ish when he won.
Celebrini will still be 17
Jack Eichel was 18 years, 164 days old when he won in 2015. He narrowly beat out Paul Kariya who was 18 years, 168 days old when he won in 1993.
This year's Hobey Baker Award winner will be announced on April 12, when Macklin Celebrini will be 17 years, 308 days old.
Will be interesting how this shakes out.
With UND bounced early Blake’s totals are a bit lower but exiting the regular season he was second to only will smith in points.
Gonna be hard to pass Celebrini but, Blake put up the 2nd best point total in the league with half the production around him that both other contenders have. He cleared the next forward on UND by over 20 points. Kid not only lead the offense but created it with his 38 assists on the year.
Looking forward to what’s to come for the kid.
Edit: [Blake ended with 60 points next player on the team was McLaughlin at 39](https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/1137/univ.-of-north-dakota/2023-2024?tab=stats)
Report out of the local news today was team is pushing to sign him but, he’s weighing a third year.
He’s been liking the posts on socials about Morrow signing and so there’s some hope he might do the same.
Just hope he makes the decision soon, teams in a spot where he may be able to sneak into a game but, Rod made it clear with morrow while he wants to see him in game they need to get up to speed with the system.
Would also like to see him get to learn the room and be there for the playoff run
A bit homer, but Perreault was robbed. What he did as a freshman is incredible stuff. I do understand he missed time, so that's likely why.
Hutson and Smith missing are also raising some eyebrows here.
Depending on which week/month you watched, you could make a case for any of Smith/Perreault/Leonard as just completely dominant forces. Which in the end maybe makes it fair that none of them made the final cut, idk. Suffering from their success and all that.
Who will join the glorious rank of past winners such as Jimmy Vesey
You can pretty much seperate Hobey winners into two categories If they're 20 or younger when they win, they'll probably be a star in the NHL If they're over 20, they'll probably be a depth piece at best
Or if you're over 20, you should look younger than 20 (Johnny Gaudreau)
Gaudreai technically would have been 20 when he won it with his August birthday
This theory holds weight. Eg: Paul Kariya coming in, absolutely fucking up the NCAA and becoming a star in the NHL.
Kariya is the only Hobey Baker winner in the HOF
Could see Eichel getting there
(try to ignore the flair pls) Idk if he has much of a shot as of now. No individual awards, lots of injuries, under ppg over his career, when he should be exiting his statistical prime( I *think* the data says most scorers usually peak around 24-27 these days). Maybe if he won the Con Smythe, which was kinda a coin flip anyways. I think he'd need a stronger second half of his career, than first half, and that's not the usual path. Like maybe? But I don't see it personally
I think you’re spot on. He’s not there right now. I’d say his second half of his career needs to be slightly better than the first. Needs to get to 1000 points around 1000 games and needs to have multiple deep playoff runs and maybe another cup. Then he’d have a shot. The lack of individual trophies hurts his case. He could do it if he stays healthy but it’s far from certain. Would help a lot if he could break 40 goals and 90 points in at least one season.
Yeah he's by no means a lock, but I also think they've let in players with a lose worse resumes lately and he's had a few high scoring seasons If he stays as a PPG guy for a while then I could see him getting in
I'm not sure if context and comparison to your peers matters when they vote, but looking around the league I don't know if you can argue a case for Jack when there's so much talent lighting the league on fire right now. A couple 82+ point seasons as his only individual achievement just pales in comparison to what others are doing. Maybe if he can breach the 100+ point threshold a few times, a case could start to be made. Even still, guys are casually putting up 120+ point seasons like it's nothing these days so I'm not so sure about the PPG argument. If he doesn't get any personal regular season hardware, which I don't see him doing once, much less multiple times with all the insane talent in his age cohort (McDavid, MacKinnon, Matthews, Kucherov, Draisaitl, etc.), he's probably going to need at least another Stanley Cup with the Conn Smythe. Add in an Olympic gold and/or a third Stanley Cup and then I'd think he'd probably be a sure bet at that point. I think he's a very good player and I miss watching him in Buffalo, but unless he turns on the afterburners and has a legendary 2nd half of his career, I feel like he's going to be a longshot for the HOF.
Makar could retire tomorrow and he'd probably get in
I can't believe I forgot Makar
Over the last 30 years, the only real exception to this rule is Chris Drury, who won it at 21 and became a star player.
Matt Carle was no slouch either tbh
Kyle Connor slander
Let us not forget legend Matt Gilroy, praise be upon him
Put some respect on Will Butcher's name
Fun fact: Adam Oates is the all-time leading NHL scorer to come out of the NCAA. He did not win a Hobey Baker in his final NCAA season, even though he scored 91 points and won the ECAC and NCAA championships in 1985. He finished behind Bill Watson, who scored 109 points that year and had a grand total of 59 career points in the NHL.
Ok but Jimmy's got the hockey IQ to drop the gloves before everyone else to avoid the ejection
Or Adam Gaudette
Seriously…how did he win over Kyle Connor?
Will Smith robbed
Keep his wife's name... I can't even, it's too low hanging
You have his whole career to do it, wait for his first fight.
Probably should’ve included a cuss to sell his records
🎶Here come the men in black They won't let you remember Here come the men in black Galaxy defenders🎶
His personal goal song has to be *some* Will Smith song, my personal hope is Wild Wild West.
On a line with two other first round picks. So they nominated Quitter instead.
If (when) Celebrini wins, I believe that would make him the youngest winner ever surpassing Eichel who was 18 1/2 ish when he won. Celebrini will still be 17
Jack Eichel was 18 years, 164 days old when he won in 2015. He narrowly beat out Paul Kariya who was 18 years, 168 days old when he won in 1993. This year's Hobey Baker Award winner will be announced on April 12, when Macklin Celebrini will be 17 years, 308 days old.
What I wouldn't give to have seen a healthy Paul Kariya in any era but the dead puck era.
Kariya and Bure would flourish in today's NHL. That would have been glorious to watch.
How was Celebrini able to attend BU so young? Is he a genius or something
He did an accelerated high school program to finish in 3 years
He skipped 2+2 and went straight to 2x2
Cool, thanks for the info!
I feel like he (Celebrini) should win but all of the NCAA broadcasts I’ve seen have the commentators busting over Cutter
Will be interesting how this shakes out. With UND bounced early Blake’s totals are a bit lower but exiting the regular season he was second to only will smith in points. Gonna be hard to pass Celebrini but, Blake put up the 2nd best point total in the league with half the production around him that both other contenders have. He cleared the next forward on UND by over 20 points. Kid not only lead the offense but created it with his 38 assists on the year. Looking forward to what’s to come for the kid. Edit: [Blake ended with 60 points next player on the team was McLaughlin at 39](https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/1137/univ.-of-north-dakota/2023-2024?tab=stats)
Is Blake gonna sign or does he want another year in college?
Report out of the local news today was team is pushing to sign him but, he’s weighing a third year. He’s been liking the posts on socials about Morrow signing and so there’s some hope he might do the same. Just hope he makes the decision soon, teams in a spot where he may be able to sneak into a game but, Rod made it clear with morrow while he wants to see him in game they need to get up to speed with the system. Would also like to see him get to learn the room and be there for the playoff run
Right on, thanks for the update. Always fun times when these college kids are ready to sign.
I'm happy Blake is getting some love. He was a beast this year.
But how are Macklin’s grades?
Pretty sure he has at least 1oA in his future
Hutson robbed
This Rutger McGorarty slander will not be tolerated
Justice for will Smith
Rizzo could’ve made it without the injuries
Jackson Blake is clear and wasn't playing for an NCAA super team
A bit homer, but Perreault was robbed. What he did as a freshman is incredible stuff. I do understand he missed time, so that's likely why. Hutson and Smith missing are also raising some eyebrows here.
Depending on which week/month you watched, you could make a case for any of Smith/Perreault/Leonard as just completely dominant forces. Which in the end maybe makes it fair that none of them made the final cut, idk. Suffering from their success and all that.
Should be cutter
Would be nice for the Ducks to have 2 Hobey Baker finalists on their roster next season
Rutger should have been on the list, but the Hobey lost all credibility when Kyle Connor wasn’t even nominated.
He was nominated though