Well, thanks to everyone for voting, the digital ballots have been counted and the winner is…
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MARK STONE
Mar 31, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Ottawa Senators right wing
Mark Stone(61) celebrates his game-winning shootout goal against the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. Ottawa won 2-1 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Surprise, surprise, right? Well, maybe not.
Stone takes Senshot’s top forward award in a vote with 190 ballots cast, Stone received over 120 votes as Ottawa’s top forward. That likely wasn’t always the popular opinion as Stone had around 15 points through Ottawa’s first 30 games but really turned it on late by playing at a PPG pace through 40 games late in the year.
A Calder Winner?:
The calder class is quite a strong one this season, and Mark Stone finds himself top 3 in voting. His competition includes college sensation Johnny Gaudreau and 18-year-old Aaron Ekblad. While Stone easily played the best in the second half, you can easily make the argument for any three of those guys to take home the trophy.
Stone’s play easily makes him Ottawa’s top forward and that’s on a pretty good squad too, as Stone beats out players like Kyle Turris and Bobby Ryan, both who had amazing stretches during this season. Much has been made of Ryan’s late slump which kept him from receiving lots of votes this time around, but during his first 50 or so, Ryan played at a fantastic pace and could have faired better through the full 82.
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Here’s what the Senshot writers had to say as they were also polled towards who they thought was the team’s best forward:
"Zachary Prenner: Without a doubt, Ottawa’s best forward all season long and especially clutch during the streak. Tied for league lead in takeaways as a rookie, and led all rookies in points; doesn’t get much better than that.Eldrinson Vado: Ottawa’s top forward this year has to go to their rookie sensation, Mark Stone. Stone finished the second half of the regular season as a top five scorer in the league. A huge accomplishment for any player. During the Ottawa Senators magical run to the playoffs, Mark played at a high level every single night. There’s nothing more you can ask for in a hockey player."
The Runner-Up
KYLE TURRIS
With any award, there is always a runner up. This time the runner up goes to Kyle Turris as he earned himself being in the conversation of Ottawa’s top forward.
Jan 10, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ottawa Senators center Kyle Turris (7) carries the puck during the first period against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Jay Nowak, Senshot writer gives us his views on why Turris deserves the nod as Ottawa’s top forward.
"Jay Nowak: My Top Forward award goes to a guy who had to fill Jason Spezza‘s shoes after he left for Dallas. He will never be considered a superstar centre in this league, and we will never hear his name in conversations alongside the likes of Crosby and Toews, but this guy showed me this year that he is more than capable of being a legit number one centre.I was worried how he would do while being thrown into the thick of it on the top line after the departure of Spezza. After this year, I’m not and I don’t think anyone else should be. This team has a true number one centre and his name is Kyle Turris."
There it is. Mark Stone takes the forward of the year award, and Kyle Turris takes the runner-up. Each one played a fantastic role this season and each put up career numbers. Turris turns 26 this off-season and Mark Stone will only be 23-years-old heading into 15-16. The Senators will have two good, young players for quite some time.
Now the attention on Stone turns to his upcoming contract as his RFA status kicks in on July 1.