There appears to be some debate amongst hockey fans and pundits over which player should be awarded the 2007 Hart Trophy as this season’s most valuable player.
The choice has come down to three players: Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby, Tampa Bay’s Vincent Lecavalier and New Jersey’s Martin Brodeur.
To me, the choice is crystal clear: Crosby is the most valuable player of the 2006-07 season.
At only 19 years of age, Crosby is leading the NHL in points with (as of this writing) 106, ten more than Lecavalier. Barring injury or a slump, Crosby will win the Art Ross trophy as the league’s leading point scorer.
He’s also tied with Joe Thornton with the most assists with 75, and this season he became the youngest player in NHL history to rack up consecutive 100 point seasons.
There is of course no overlooking the performances of Lecavalier and Brodeur.
Lecavalier is well on his way to winning the Richard trophy with currently 48 goals, finally rounding into the consistent offensive force he was projected to be when the Lightning drafted him in 1998.
Brodeur continues to establish himself as one of the game’s greatest goaltenders, notching yet another 40 win season, on pace to possibly break the single-season wins record for netminders (47), leads the league in victories and shutouts and is among the league leaders in save percentage and goals-against average.
However, there are several factors which in my opinion puts Crosby above Lecavalier and Brodeur for the Hart.
First, there’s the age of the three. Brodeur is 34, a fourteen-year NHL veteran who is well established as one of the game’s best goaltenders. Lecavalier is 26, an 8-year NHL veteran, who’s over the past three seasons has begun to establish himself as an elite forward.
Crosby, however, is only 19. He’s still not fully matured as a player, still a teenager, yet he’s been leading the point-scoring race since December over rivals who are older and more experienced. In only his second NHL season, he could win the Art Ross trophy, something not even Wayne Gretzky accomplished at 19, although he did tie for the scoring lead in his rookie season but lost the Art Ross to Marcel Dionne based on goals-scored.
Not to take anything away from Brodeur and Lecavalier, but that's a phenomenal achievement by Crosby, a glimpse of further greatness to come.
Next, there’s the teams these three play for.
Brodeur backstops the New Jersey Devils, since the mid-1990s one of the NHL’s elite clubs. He’s played a major part in keeping the Devils at that status, but it must not be overlooked this year’s Devils club is with veteran players, many of whom were part of previous Devils championship teams. They know what it takes to win and consistently play their system year in and year out.
Lecavalier is a key component of the Tampa Bay Lightning, a club only three years removed from winning its first Stanley Cup title, which has rebounded from a sub-par performance in 2005-06 to battling this season for the Southeast Division title. Like the Devils, it’s a veteran laden team, many of whom were part of the 2004 championship season.
Crosby’s Penguins, on the other hand, are predominantly stocked with young players, all of whom have yet to play a post-season game, let alone win a championship. They weren’t expected to be in playoff contention this season, let alone challenging the Devils for first in the Atlantic Division or finding themselves among the top teams in the East.
On the Penguins, Crosby is clearly the straw that stirs the drink. The second-leading scorer on the team, rookie Evgeny Malkin, is 30 points behind Crosby’s 106 points. Take “Sid the Kid” out of the equation, and the Penguins aren’t a playoff team. It’s that simple.
Crosby isn’t the Penguins captain yet he might as well be. Like Gretzky’s Oilers in the early 1980s, the Pens clearly take their lead from their young superstar. He’s carrying a developing Penguins team into the playoffs, which is a significant achievement.
Finally, there’s the overall value to the league.
Brodeur and Lecavalier are unquestionably great players, but they don’t have the star power of Crosby. For the NHL to improve its visibility, it needs a great superstar, a player who towers over his rivals, a talented player who can attract excitement everywhere he goes.
Crosby, like Gretzky and Mario Lemieux and Bobby Orr before him, has those qualities.
Whether fans love him or hate him, they’re interested in Crosby. They’re following his status in the scoring race. They’re marveling at his offensive gifts. They’re thrilled by his play and that of his young, energetic teammates. Crosby and the Penguins are bringing excitement back to the National Hockey League at a crucial time in its long history.
Moreover, does anyone really believe the city of Pittsburgh and the state of Pennsylvania would’ve committed to building a new arena for the Penguins if Crosby and friends hadn’t turned the team into one of the most exciting franchises in the NHL?
Mario Lemieux may have saved the Penguins several times over the years, but he wouldn't have been able to save them this time without Crosby.
Crosby’s detractors claim he’s unworthy of the Hart because, in their eyes, he’s a petulant whiner who takes dives to attract penalties.
Yes, Crosby has complained to officials when penalty calls sometimes don’t go his way. Yes, he’s looked childish at times, and yes, at times he hasn’t been above taking a dive.
Yet there are many NHL veterans who’ve done similar tactics which draw far less criticism. Crosby’s only 19, so immaturity should be expected from him at this point in his career, something hopefully he’ll grow out of it. Older players who continuously act that way have no excuse.
It should also be noted that Crosby has chopped his penalty minutes nearly in half this season, from 110 in 2005-06 to 56 this season. A good number of his penalties last season came from stupid retaliatory penalties and mouthing off at officials. This season, Crosby has learned to keep his temper in check, instead letting his play do the talking.
Besides, Gretzky and Lemieux heard similar complaints from, yet when their careers are recalled, few remember “Whiner Wayne” or “Moaning Mario”, and it certainly didn’t prevent them from winning the Hart Trophy multiple times.
Taking these factors into account, I believe it’s obvious that Sidney Crosby deserves to win the Hart Trophy as the league’s most valuable player.
I disagree. Not because I think Crosby is a whiner because I don't really see it.
I disagree because Broduer is more important to his team than Crosby is. Broduer plays night in, night out. Clemmenson very rarely gets a look and when he does, the results aren't the same.
As for Lecavalier, the only reason he is mentioned with these two is because he leads the goal race. He shouldn't even be in the discussion.
It should be a two-horse race between Broduer and Crosby, but I think Broduer is having the slightly better year.
Last edited by LetsGoBuffalo on March 17th at 8:53 AM.
I'm a huge pens fan, and in turn i hate the devils--so my biases are on the table.
However, to say Crosby hasnt been as valuable to his team is off the mark. He not only leads the league in goals, but also assists. When he can't score, he's still setting everyone on his team up. It seems to me that Crosby is having the "michael jordan" effect in pittsburgh. I dont want to overlook how awesome Staal and Malkin have been, but when Crosby is on the ice, everyone plays better. Plain and simple. He has transformed players like Ryan Malone, and given new life to an aging Mark Recchi. On and Off the ice Crosby drives his team with an incredible work ethic. Ask Gary Roberts, who was astounded by the fact that Crosby was always the last off the ice, and his work led everyone else to work maybe just a little bit harder. Last year it may have been fair to say that Crosby was one piece--he was an individual talent, but he wasnt making the overall team that much better (look at the pens record last year). This year is the opposite. His defensive talents are way overlooked...i cant even begin to count the number of times he has stopped some good offensive rushes while playing defense.
As for the "whining" from last year..its virtually gone. For a while, no one was taking more abuse than him (i was hoping Laraque would go after Lapierre for that cheap stick butt to the stomach from the last game) and he just took it. He's truly proven that he deserves the "A" and maybe even the "C".
And I'll say it--even though i hate the devils--even after thi
Oops ... there's a length limit on the post... Continued:
And I'll say it--even though i hate the devils--even after this argument I'm still not sure who deserves it. It's going to be a horse race until the end, that's for sure. Crosby's slump may have hurt him, but Brodeur has been having his own mini-slumps here and there.
Whew....sorry for the long rant Spector ...
P.S. If the Hart comes down to one play this season, it would come down to the game vs. Montreal last night. I've watched a lot of great highlights (by Gretzky and otherwise) in my day, and I've never seen a goal quite like the one Crosby scored last night. Simply unbelievable.
you keep talking about age. what does that have to do with anything? if sid was thirty, then you woudn't think he deservres it? brodeur is not only the most valuable player in hockey right now, he's the best. hands down.
I totally agree with you Spector. I have had the pleasure of watching Crosby all year, either live and in person or on tv. The Penguins would not be in the position they are if Crosby didnt produce on a night to night basis. As for the claims of a diver I only ask one question of people, How can a player score 106 points if he is falling on the ice all the time? Did anyone see that goal he scored last night against Montreal? Here is hoping he gets both sets of hardware, and maybe steal a round or two in the playoffs.
Last edited by moonagedaydream15 on March 17th at 8:51 AM.
So Let's Go Buffalo, are you saying if you're up for a promotion or some sort of award at your job, the fact that your progress and work is far better than those who are 10 years older than you won't come into account? Whether it should or should not, it will .. because your continued success is important to the company as you would define its future.
Josh & LGB: You cannot dismiss age from the equation. Brodeur is 34, a 14-year veteran and in his prime. Lecavalier is 26, an 8 year veteran now hitting his prime. Neither of these two at 19 were capable of dominating the sport the way Crosby has at that age.
Most 19 year old players are years away from their prime and nowhere near becoming dominant players. What Crosby is doing at 19 is astounding, just as it was when Orr, Gretzky and Lemieux were dominant players at that age.
If Crosby is this great at 19, how great will he be at 22? 25? 27? 30?
ok I'm a tad biased being born and raised in NJ, but let's be honest. The MVP in sports is too often the best individual instead of most valuable to a sucessful team. Of the three people we mentioned, how many have a real chance of winning the cup? One. and that's Marty. And how effective would Crosby be without the stolen Russian Malkanin (sp?)taking some of the D pressure off. Tampa i will not win a cup. Neither will Pittsburg despite the NHL's pattent favortisim of him in advertising and such. Fact is, only the Devils realisticly have a chance at a cup. And that's cause of Marty. They've been missing their best scorers on many occasions, including recently with Gionta out. The other night, against Carolina, it was his goaltending that kept a line up missing Gionta, Elias and Madden (the 2 best scorers and best defensive fwd on the team) in a game against the defending cup champs. There is no question. Marty should be the MVP. But since he's been snubbed over and over for awards (like the ConnSmyth they gave the Giguire when the ducks lost the cup). He deserves it but will probably get snubbed. At least I know he'll win the Veznia, Madden should get the Selke (or Pandolfo wiuth his 14 PIM in 3 seasons of covering the best of the best). Oh yea and the Jennings is Marty's. And don't be shocked if they make it to the President's Trophy either.
Spector---How old was Marty when he almost took the Devs to a cup as a rookie???? oh yea like what 19? 20 at the most?!?!?!?! Age is irrelivant. Marty is the most valuable of the three cause his team is the most successful so far. He should be the front runner
I really dont think Marty was snubbed for the Conn Smythe in the 03 cup run. He was playing for a stacked team that were perennial favorites. The ducks had an amazing run after the new year on Giguere's back, and he carried the less-talented ducks to the brink in one of the most amazing performances by a goalie in the playoffs in NHL history. As good as Marty was in that year, Giguere was working with less, and relatively speaking delivered more. It also might be argued similarly that Crosby is "working with less" than Brodeur today.
and what about marty? He's had his least effective defense in years and still the devs ahve the lowest GAA in hockey???????? How many games has Crosby single handedly won? 10 max???? And marty????? dozens.... it's no contest
why does Crosby needs Larouix (sp?) for protection??? What protections do Elias, Gionta, and Gomez have? None. Cause they all throw the body too. Unlike Crobsy. He has to have an enforcer on his line. Same with Jager. In my mind if you play like them, you're half a hockey player. I've seen Gionta throw his body at much bigger guys. Last month i saw him hit Zedeno Chara for god sake!!!!!!
and if ANYONE wants ultimate proof of why it's Marty, go look at how many one goal games NJ has won as opposed to lost. it's almost 2 to 1 in wins and that's all Marty!!!!!!
obviously the argument is going nowhere, but Crosby is not afraid to throw his body and get in the face of those that get in his ... just watch any pittsburgh game.
i watch Pittsburg all the time, the play the Devils often. And what's their record against Marty..oh yea HORRIABLE!........they ain't the Devils that's for sure. Talk to me when Crosby doesn't need a goon on ice at all times cause he whines to his team that he gets hit. That's hockey. There is no argument. Crosby does not deserve anything over Marty.
You know, we'll just have to wait and see what happens in the playoffs. If one of these 3, no matter which, puts his team on his back and carries them to the cup or the finals, it will come down to that. Theres a real chance that 2 of these 3 will meet up in the Eastern Conference finals.
I'm surprised there havent been any Western Conference players even mentioned. Thornton's production has dropped, and unfortunately for Selanne, he had a personal slump coincide with a team slump, and that basically took his name outta the hat. One intereting name is Henrik Zetterburg however.
My vote personaly goes to Lecavalier, but a lot of that is because I watch him play every night. Plus I feel the need to stump for my guy, considering Gary Bettman's hard-on for Crosby and the NHL's fixation on him, added to Brodeur's nationwide fanbase. Sometimes MVP becomes too much of a popularity contest (see Game, Allstar) and the guys that dont get a lot of national exposure get left out in the cold (i.e the entire Tampa Bay team)
Last edited by boltsfan on March 17th at 10:40 AM.
I have to vote NO on Crosby. IMO I think he is totally overrated. So far he has only showen that he is a play maker and that is all. Plus he is boring to watch, he does nothing great. When it comes down to talent on the Pens roster, then talk about Malkin or Roberts. Plus I'm sick of seeing of when ever I see Crosbys name I see Gretzky. People have to face it Crosby will NEVER and stress NEVER equal Gretzky. I do agree Crosby is a little whiner, Atleast Gretzky and Lemieux had SKILL to back up thier talk.
For the other 2 canidates Vinny and Martin Brodeur, it's a pretty good choice either way. Vinny is right behind Cry Baby Crosby in points, on the other hand Martin Brodeur pretty much goes with out saying. If anything wait and see what happens in the playoffs with New Jersey or Tampa and then you'll get your winner.
oh and toaster......PRAY, and PRAY HARD that Pittsburg doesn't find the Devils anywhere in the playoffs. And I'm not talking smack. I just mean Pittsburg will get knocked out fast just on experiance and the way the devs play in the playoffs usually.
The Pens and Crosby WILL be great. My best friend works for the little penguins in Wilkes-Barre. I've seen the people still there, as well as have seen FLuery before he was a full time NHL'er. They're gonna be good. Like stupid good. but not yet. They're too wet behind the ears yet. I respect what Mario has done (except stealing a certain Russain fwd. He's laid the right foundation for a great future, but it ain't now.
ummm ... im kind of bemused by this argument now. Pray the Penguins dont meet the devils in the playoffs and shut them down like they did last week? Ok, I'll pray hard.
yea toaster.....how many people were the devils missing that nighT???? what's the Pens record against us this year? Though that doesn't matter since the pens have little to no play off experiance to go on and the devils have tons. The devils get better once the 2nd season starts. Study your history. and a playoff rental like gary roberts, although a shrewd move, ain't nearly enough to make up for the lack of experiance.
amen Beilmann. most people shout me down when i say Crosby ain't Gretsky and never will be. He'll be great and will probably win some cups. But A gretsky,a jordan, a babe ruth, etc. is a one time occurance. Yet people cal each ultra promising youth as "the next Jordan", "the next Gretsky", etc. None have lived up to it, despite the billing............we'll see about Crosby.
interesting side note though.......I don't recall Marty being called the next Roy. But he's either eclipsed or is in range of almost every one of Roy's records.
Last edited by jonblaze007 on March 17th at 11:12 AM.
I think some of you miss the point. The Hart is given based on regular season results not the playoffs. It doesn't matter who faces who or who carries their team in the playoffs. That is why we have the Conn Smythe. Crosby will most likely win the Hart and the Art Ross hardware this year. Age will play a part in the decision as well. Crosby's play this season alone will generate a ton of top votes. I do agree that Vinnie and Marty should be considered for MVP as well, as should a few other players like Hossa, Lidstrom, Ovechkin, Savard and Heatley just to name a few. But no one other than Crosby will win it. Since 2003 the trend has been if you win the Art Ross you also win the Hart. I hope that is just a quirky trend as that would weaken the value of the Hart. Regardless, it's too much of a "feel good" story for the league to pass up, not to mention the fact that the kid deserves it. He's the best player in the league and will be for years to come.
Didn't even have to read the post to agree! Crosby, the kid who saved hockey in the Burgh is/should be MVP. Hope he just continues like his mentor, Mario!!! GO PENS!!
jonblaze: First of all, rating the MVP has nothing to do with playoff performance. Second, Crosby racked up 100 points last season as a rookie without Malkin (who wasn't "stolen" from Russia) so it's logical to assume he'd do as well or better without Malkin this season. Third, Brodeur was 22 when he won the Calder. At 19, he played only 4 NHL games, with a 3.35 GAA and an .882 GAA. He would spend the following season in the minors and wouldn't have his full rookie season until 1993-94.
Fourth, Crosby is every bit as valuable to the Pens as Brodeur to the Devils, but Crosby is a bigger star attraction than Brodeur and thus more valuable to a league desperately trying to improve its visibility in the US market. Fifth, while the Devils have beaten the Pens in five of their 8 meetings this season, I scarcely think the Pens have to "pray" they don't meet Brodeur and the Devils in the playoffs, as they've held their own against them.
Crosby isn't trying to be "the next Gretzky". He just wants to be the best player he can be, and at 19 his accomplishments this season cannot be blithely dismissed.
This is a bit off topic, but for the record, I'll also be among the first to note that the Penguins lack the defensive depth to go far in the playoffs. Still, any team that takes them lightly in the postseason will pay for it. This is a young, exciting team that's starting to realize just how good they are and how good they'll eventually become. Even if they fall behind or blow a lead, they still keep coming, which makes them a dangerous opponent regardless of their weaknesses.
Beilmann: Orr, Gretzky and Lemieux used to be called over-rated in their playing days, too. That never prevented them from being showered with accolades and awards.
As for the rest of your statements about Crosby (boring to watch, lacking skill, does nothing great), you're entitled to that opinion, but you'll find yourself in a distinct minority with those assessments, as the facts simply don't substantiate your claims.
yeah, thornton's production dropped this year. top 5 in points and another 75 assist season. the sharks are a much deeper team and so are the ducks. that is why no one from those teams are being acknowledged, but you cant take away how much thornton means to us sharks, epsecially in the end of the season for him to go on a tear. too bad our guys dont stand up for him more often, the "biggest" team in the league needs to protect him a little more (different rant though.)
Gregsky-----and how long was Crosby's last slump? Multiple games. No Elias, No Gionta, No Madden.....take away the pens best three and see what they can do.............................Even the best goalie in the game has bad days
Spector---the playoff thing was an offshot conversastion.
And I still say the Devils, as stingy as they can be are one of the few things that can stop someone like crosby. And with the scoring the devils have,(once we figure out what is up with the ice in E. Rutherford), plus Broduer, and their experiance, i doubt anyone is picking them as a desired first round opponent based on their (especially Marty's) track record in the playoffs.
And I'll admit i was wrong on the marty age thing. My fault. But was I off far? And remember, he was one wrap around goal (friggin Mateu) from the finals, as a rookie........he was never touted a phenom like Crosby, but at Goal, there have been few better statisticly and Cup wise. And he's only 34
I freely admit the MVP isn't about playoffs. It's the mosy valuable player to their team in the reg season. I made the earlier point about one goal games. The most basic indicator of value is how many games did you WIN for your team and where are you when the reg. season music stops.
The amount of times the Devs have been saved by marty is somewhat harder to judge than Crosby and the pens since Crosby can score a GWG or have a 5 point night and it's clear he won that game for them. The only obvious indicator i see for marty is how many one goal game the devs ahve won since anyone who watches them will tell you he saved them, sometimes more than once, in each and every one goal win.....
jonblaze: your point about one-goal games is a good one in Brodeur's favour. Remember, I'm not taking anything away from Brodeur and his accomplishments this season.
Again, however, as I've noted and you've acknowledged, playoff performance is not a contributing factor to determining the regular season MVP, so there's no point in attempting to use that as a comparable for Brodeur at 22 and Crosby at 19.
Again, Crosby has emerged as a dominant player while still a teenager, accomplishing something only Wayne Gretzky before him did at a similar age, leading the NHL in scoring (and in Gretzky's case, he was tied with Marcel Dionne and lost the Art Ross based on goals-scored). Crosby has been leading the scoring race since December and his closest rivals haven't been able to close the gap. For a 19-year-old to out-score older veteran players is a remarkable achievement.
Finally, Crosby has emerged as the face of the NHL, just as Orr and Gretzky and Lemieux before him. He's become the league's star attraction. The league needs Crosby to bolster its success just as much, perhaps more, than the Penguins need him to bolster theirs.
Spector---You know i respect your opinion as an expert. you make alot of very legit points the one goal game thing is a reg season stat. Should it not be put up against the how many GW goals and amazing 5 point nights Crosby has had, though.
Secondly, granted Crosby is young. but would the Devils have put him in as an everday goalie at 19? Probably not. Let's remember, the Pens desperatly needed him. 13 years ago, the devils were not in a similar spot. At least not till AFTER the won their first cup, but that's unreleated. what is related is that yes Crosby is the face of the NHL but only cause they needed one to garner interest. and the pens also needed a saviouer. if they're a better team, do we see crosby so quick? Probably not. He's probably in the minors a little longer. I don't think any of that has to do with the Hart, though. What does is how much success a player brings to their team in a particular season. Brodeur is ahving his best season. That's a bold statement for a goalie at the top of his proffession. Especially one with three rings.
Just to help illustrate my point of why Marty should be MVP...He gets pulled today giving up four goals.
Yes that was sarcasm.
As for the Lightning and Pens chances in the playoffs, they are slim to none and going past the second round.
Unfortunately for the Pens they will most likely have to play the Sens. The Sens are going to dominate who ever their first round opponent is. They are playing some good hockey.
The Lightning on the other hand, will most likely get Atlanta and that is a toss up. After that they get the Sabres or Devils, most likely, and lets not kid ourselves they don't have the quality these two teams do.
Jon: ranking the one-goal games vs Crosby's GWG is not a fair comparison for Brodeur, as the argument could also be made that the strength of the team defence in front of Brodeur played a significant factor. We could also suggest Crosby's assisting on game winning goals is an indicative factor of his value to his team.
Again, what Crosby has achieved at such a young age, and his importance to the league as an attraction, is what puts him over the top in my opinion for the Hart.
Yes, the Hart is awarded to the player judged most valuable to his team, but age and star power do factor into the voting. Also, it must be remembered that Brodeur's Devils are a veteran-laden team. True, without him in goal, they'd be in big trouble, but the veteran factor is still noteworthy. Crosby is a sophomore player on a team loaded with young players who like Crosby have never played in the playoffs. The Devils were expected this season to be a playoff contender. The Penguins were not, and the fact that they have, with Crosby leading them, is significant.
Also, to suggest Crosby wouldn't have debuted in the NHL at 18 on a deeper team is laughable. Sorry, but it is.
Most 18 year olds aren't ready to play at the NHL level. Crosby, like Orr, Gretzky and Lemieux, is one of those very rare players who could. Even if he'd been drafted by one of the league's elite teams, he would've debuted at 18 and been a superstar.
In fact, Jon, I can guarantee you that, if Crosby had been drafted by the Devils, Lou Lamoriello would NOT have started him in the minors last season. He would've debuted with the Devils, and been their best forward, or dare I say, their best player.
I'd say LeCavalier has been atleast as important to his team as Crosby & Brodeur to respective teams. I'm biased, but to me LeCavalier is the handsdown winner.
"Sid the Kid" needs to be seasoned in a hard playoff. "I winner never whines", that leaves Crosby out. Sid needs to toughen up.Stop whinning and fight, Vinny will drop the gloves with anyone. Get a Cup and he can talk to Marty & Vinny.
No Goaltender has been better or more consistant over the last 10yrs than Brodeur..Period! With that said, this year he doesnt seem to have the unbeatable swagger of the cup years. I thought he was the weakest goalie in the NHL skills competition at the all-star game. He also looks beatable lately, duall losses to Pens and todays drubbing by Canes.
Beilmann: Lightning have winning records against both Devils and Thrashers this year. I guess we'll see in the playofs.
Last edited by Goalieman on March 17th at 3:15 PM.
Why, yes, Uber_Elvis, I have heard of Luongo, and he's done a fine job with the Canucks, but while he's had a great season, he's behind Brodeur in all the goaltending categories this season. Check the stats if you don't believe me.
As for me, there's no bias on my part against the Western Conference, which if you regularly read my blog, you'd understand that.
As for bias by Eastern pundits against the West, that's absurd. Four of the past six Hart winners were Western Conference players (Chris Pronger - 2000, Joe Sakic - 2001, Peter Forsberg - 2003, Joe Thornton - 2006), as voted for by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Get your facts straight next time.
I really dont understand why people are calling Crosby a whiner THIS season. Im guessing its those who havent seen him play THIS season. Sure, he had his fair share of whining ... but to say veteran players dont do the same thing (or perhaps players on your team of choice) dont do the same, would be ludicrious. This year Crosby has taken it, and he's taken a lot. He's stood up for himself against bigger players, and he has not at all "whined." I'm really not sure why this is such a dominant view reflecting his play this season, because its not at all accurate.
spector age has nothing to do with it. we're not talking about who you would want to build your team for years to come. that's not the issue. the hart goes to the most valuable right now. brodeur is the most valuable right now. i need a guy to win the cup right now, i'm taking brodeur.
Toaster: I can't speak for everyone, but just for myself. I have Center Ice Pkg, so I see a lot of the Pens. I like there hustle and effort. I like Crosby, he is/will be the next great player. He's close right now. As to the "Whiner" issue, Maybe the camera's are watching for it but, after anyone bumps,touches,hits, or looks at Crosby.. .he "yappin" at the refs the 1st chance he gets. This is everygame!, not some games or rare games. Maybe other vets do the same, and the camera's don't catch it.
Last edited by Goalieman on March 17th at 5:12 PM.
Josh: age is a factor whether you want to accept it or not. And the simple fact remains, Crosby at 19 is achieving what only Orr, Gretzky and Lemieux before him could do at 19...and those three never won a scoring title at that age, which Crosby is capable of doing right now barring injury.
Moreover, Crosby's value to the Penguins is arguably stronger than Brodeur's to the Devils. Without either player, neither team qualifies for the playoffs, but the Devils weren't facing relocation this season. Crosby helped keep that franchise in Pittsburgh, plus he's leading a team loaded with players as young and inexperienced as he, whilst Brodeur has the benefit of playing for a more experienced club.
i guess we'll never agree, i just fail to see what age has to do with performance. youre 17. you're 50. who cares? who's performing at a higher level is all that matters. i think brodeur is performing at higher level. not to mention, the guy never sits. clemensen's record is 1-1-1. i mean c'mon.
Last edited by JoshQPublic on March 17th at 6:11 PM.
Everyone thought that when Niedermayer, Stevens, and Daneyko all left, Marty wouldn't have a chance since he was "overrated."
Everyone has their foot in their mouths as we speak.
He is, by far, having the best season of his career. If you want to see someone being put into a critical situation to make the big save, hands down, Marty will be there to do it. Look at his numbers. Marty makes key saves and never loses his cool. When there's a flurry of shots, Marty is there to stop them all. His numbers tell it all!
Marty, by far, is the best candidate. Crosby is having a great year but Marty is having the better year. Marty is showing up all those critics and it says a lot about the future Hall of Famer. Crosby is just living up to the hype that they created when he first came to the league. If there was scrutiny and he overcame it, it would be a whole different story.
Crosby will just have to wait. He's got plenty of time and a great future in the NHL. He's got how many goals against Marty?? ;-)
I do regularly read your blog sir, but I would suggest that as the Hart is for MVP, pure stats should not be the only basis for awarding it. Look at the number of 1 goal games the Canucks have won this year ( league leading, I believe... ) and the PK ( stats again, sigh... ) has also been at or near the top of the league for some time now. Both of these stats are as a result of Luongo's play. Brodeur's stats may indeed be better, but is he more valuable to the Devils than Luongo is to the Canucks. The Devils would certainly not be the team they are without him, but the Canucks would be well... just look back to the last few years with Cloutier and the like. As for my eastern bias comment, although not directed solely at yourself, I stand by it. Schedules, TV coverage, reporting, and yes, even balloting is strongly eastern biased, and traditionally has been so for some time.
So there. neener neener neener.
Last edited by Uber_Elvis on March 17th at 6:51 PM.
Josh: Age is a huge factor. As I've noted in my original post and in this thread, most 19 year old aren't capable of playing at the same level as Crosby. It's taken Brodeur years to reach this high level of play. Crosby's one of the game's elite players in only his second NHL season and whilst still a teenager. Brodeur wasn't capable of his high level of play at that age. It's a factor, whether you want to admit it or not.
NJDevs: Crosby was under intense scrutiny coming into the league, and heading into this season. He faced a backlash from the very media that heralded his arrival, that sought any reason to tear him down after building him out. His talent was questioned when he didn't win the Calder or help the Penguins make the playoffs last season. His toughness and character was questioned. His leadership was questioned. Yet he responded as great players do, by answering his critics with his strong play. The worst his critics can accuse him of now is "whining" and being "over-rated". That proves to me his critics have nothing substantial to say and are now grasping at straws.
I'm Lyle Richardson, also known as Spector, Foxsports.com 's "Prince of Pucks".,which is based on the fact I live in Prince Edward Island, Canada and I couldn't think of a better byline. I've been an NHL hockey commentator since 1998 on my website, Spector's Hockey, and I'm a contributing writer for Foxsports.com , The Hockey News and Eishockey News. I'm also a regular on The Faceoff Hockey Show and a frequent guest on "The Late Crew" on The Team 1200 Ottawa.
