Gaudreau, Ekblad, Stone named finalists for Calder Trophy; Forsberg left off ballot

Three freshmen are over the final hurdle in the sprint toward the Calder Trophy.

Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad and forwards Johnny Gaudreau and Mark Stone of the Calgary Flames and Ottawa Senators, respectively, have been tabbed as the three finalists for the award handed out to the NHL's top rookie.

Ekblad, 19, played 81 games and looked well beyond his years. The reigning first-overall selection finished with 12 goals, 39 points and led all rookie defenseman with a 184 SAT. 

Gaudreau tallied 24 goals and finished in a tie for rookie scoring with Stone, netting 64 points. He led rookie forwards in average ice time, skating 17:43 per night, and was the first Flames rookie since Jarome Iginla to reach 50 points.

Stone finished a goal off the freshman lead, his 26 just shy of teammate Mike Hoffman. He also led rookies with a plus-21 rating and willed Ottawa into the playoffs with a nine-game point streak to close out the season.

Left off the ballot was Filip Forsberg, who finished one point shy of the goals and points lead, playing in all 82 games for the Nashville Predators. He led all freshman with a 308 SAT, and was one of the most efficient players in the game for the first half of the season.