Note: Since my last name is Grimm, the name is a takeoff on my name and the music awards of a similar name. These are not predictions, nor are they any kind of announcement of the actual awards.
Hart Trophy (Most Valuable Player): Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
Runners-up: Joe Thornton (San Jose), Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh)
In the end, it was not even close.
The only thing that could keep Ovechkin from winning the Hart Trophy was the Capitals missing the playoffs. When the Caps were in 14th place in the conference at Thanksgiving, the playoffs looked like a dream.
Thanks to Ovechkin and new coach Bruce Boudreau -- more on that later -- the Caps eventually won the Southeast Division, grabbing the East's third seed in the process. To say Ovechkin led the way would be an understatement.
He led the league with 65 goals, the highest total in 12 years. He led the league with 112 points. He posted an impressive +28, and despite being among the league leaders in hits, he finished with only 40 penalty minutes. Ovechkin also had 43 more points than the next highest scoring Capital -- his linemate Nicklas Backstrom.
Considering the low-scoring nature of this season's NHL, Ovechkin's season was of historic proportions.
Joe Thornton led a middling San Jose offense with 96 points, while Evgeni Malkin posted remarkable numbers (47-59--106) and carried the Penguins while Sidney Crosby was injured.
Calder (Rookie of the Year): Jonathan Toews/Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks
Runners-up: Nicklas Backstrom (Washington), Peter Mueller (Phoenix)
It simply is not possible to separate the duo. Toews and Kane not only made hockey in Chicago popular again, they have the potential to make the Blackhawks perennial contenders for years to come.
The two linemates fed off each other, with Kane (21-51--72) posting the higher totals as a result of Toews (24-30--54) missing 18 games with an injury. The Hawks slumped with half of the duo missing, and that slump unquestionably cost them a playoff berth.
Kane's speed and vision is the perfect complement to Toews' goal scoring ability and all-around game. Perhaps it is too easy to pick a duo for this award, but in this case, it only seems appropriate.
Backstrom posted 69 points while playing on a line with Ovechkin, while Mueller (22-32--54) helped keep the Coyotes in the playoff race well into March.
Norris (Top Defenseman): Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings
Runners-up: Dion Phaneuf (Calgary), Brian Campbell (San Jose/Buffalo)
They might as well rename this award the Lidstrom Trophy.
After all, he has enough of them. But year in and year out, Lidstrom makes it tough to pick anyone else. This year, he led all blueliners with 60 assists and 70 points while posting a +40.
Just another year for the so-called cerebral assassain. Lidstrom out-thinks opposing players at both ends of the ice, and the results show.
Detroit general manager Ken Holland has joked he will retire minutes after Lidstrom retires, and it is easy to understand the genesis of the comment.
Phaneuf anchored Calgary's blueline with 60 points and 112 penalty minutes, while Campbell (8-54--62) made a huge impact in San Jose after the trade deadline, posting nearly a point per game with the Sharks.
Jack Adams (Coach of the Year): Bruce Boudreau, Washington Capitals
Runners-up: Guy Carbonneau (Montreal), Mike Babcock (Detroit)
This one was tough -- very tough.
With a month left in the season, Carbonneau was an obvious choice. He led the Canadiens to the best record in the Eastern Conference, and did it while playing an entertaining style that eschewed the all-too-prevalent dump-and-chase for a more offensive minded system.
Yet it is impossible to overlook what Boudreau has done. The career minor league coach finally got a shot at the NHL on Thanksgiving, and he made the most of his opportunity.
Boudreau scrapped Washington's dull, structured system and turned his team loose. When you have a player like Ovechkin, that only makes sense.
The result? The team had fun, the fans had fun, the owner had fun, the arena staff had fun, and Boudreau had fun. Did we mention how much fun Boudreau brought to the game?
Babcock led the Red Wings to yet another President's Trophy, and did so with a dominating puck-possession style of play.
Selke (Top Defensive Forward): Patrick Sharp, Chicago Blackhawks
Runners-up: Samuel Pahlsson (Anaheim), Daniel Cleary (Detroit)
It might seem strange for a Selke winner to come from a non-playoff team, but consider the numbers.
Sharp posted impressive offensive totals (36-26--62) and finished tenth in plus/minus at +23 -- by far the highest of anyone on a non-playoff team.
Penalty killing? Check. His 7 shorthanded goals tied for the league lead with Daniel Alfredsson. Thanks to Sharp, the Hawks became a formidable threat while short-handed, causing teams to become more conservative on the power play.
Pahlsson missed 28 games with injuries, but when he returned, the Ducks found last season's form. Without Pahlsson, Anaheim might not have been a playoff team this year. Cleary (20-22--42) was +21 for the season, and Detroit faltered greatly during his mid-season absence.
Vezina (Top Goaltender): Evgeni Nabokov, San Jose Sharks
Runners-up: Martin Brodeur (New Jersey), Jean-Sebastien Giguere (Anaheim)
Critics will point to the middling .910 save percentage, but Nabokov got the job done for an often offensively challenged San Jose squad.
His 2.14 goals against average was third in the league, and Nabokov always seemed to come up with the big save at the right time. Following several seasons of splitting time with Vesa Toskala, Nabokov was handed the reins this year, seeing action in a league-high 77 games.
Brodeur also had 77 appearances, posting a 2.17 goals against and .920 save percentage. Giguere's posted a 2.12 goals against and .922 save percentage behind the league's best blueline brigade.
Executive of the Year: Rocky Wirtz, Chicago Blackhawks
Runners-up: Paul Holmgren (Philadelphia), Doug Wilson (San Jose)
Typically, executive of the year is code for best general manager. Not this year.
Wirtz took control of the Hawks following the death of his father, Bill Wirtz, and wasted no time making changes. With weeks, Chicago had home games on television, a new marketing director, a new organizational philosophy, and sold out games at the United Center.
By the end of the year, Chicago's average attendance had soared to 16,814 -- a significant increase from last year's 12,727. The numbers are understated, as the first month of the season continued to draw half-full crowds at the United Center. By the end of the year, sellouts were the norm.
Sure, Toews and Kane had something to do with the increase. But the most important issue was home games on television. With modern NHL economics, most fans cannot afford to attend each home game. It only seems natural they would want to see the rest on television, and if they cannot, fans will lose interest.
That problem is fixed. All 82 games will be televised next season -- and in high-definition yet.
Holmgren did an impressive job in retooling last year's cellar dwellers into a playoff team, as the Flyers grabbed the sixth seed in the East. Wilson pulled off a deadline deal for Brian Campbell, and the Sharks have just one regulation loss since that time. His signing of Jeremy Roenick also turned out to be far more significant than almost anyone expected.
What does Michel Terrian have to do to get some love for Coach of Year this year? He did a remarkable job keeping his ever changing cast of players focused on the task at hand. Evgeni Malkin got to his full potential this year because of Terrian. I don't think he should win, but he just needs to be mentioned. I think there is a national sense that he just puts Crosby and Malkin out there and twiddles his thumbs. That his defiantely not the case. He has made this team a solid defensive team while keeping the offensive explosiveness.
what about brandon dubinksy for rookie of the year...not even a consideration? Led (by boat load) all rookies in hits and had some decent points too. GO RANGERS!!
Jack Adams should go to Claude Julien. He took a team that was supposed to battle to stay out of the cellar and led them to the playoffs. Notonly that he was hampered by his gms refusal to get him aid and he loses one of his stars for most of the season (bergeron). How does Babcock get his name up there? hes got 2 of the top 15 forwards and 2 of the top 7 defenceman!
But other than that Grimm, Very well done my Blue Jays hat is off to you!
Bruins in 5
Capitals in 6
Penguins in 5
Devils in 6
Red wings in 7
Wild in 7
Stars in 5
Flames in 6
Therrien certainly is in the top few for coach of the year -- he might have been my fourth choice. I went back and forth between Boudreau and Carbonneau for quite a while. I ended up with Babcock third, simply because I think he dominated with a team that's good, but not as dominant as past Red Wings teams. I also factored style of play into the award -- the teams that won with an up-tempo (in other words, non-typical) style were favored, as I think that's important for the future of the game. Therrien again certainly fits the bill in that category.
Dubinsky is in the category with Gagner and Cogliano of other guys who certainly deserve Calder consideration. To keep it close to the NHL format, I kept it to two runners up, as with the NHL awards. The hits data -- I find it in team press releases, but since the NHL does not deem it fit to send the Rangers out this way very often, I have not seen their press release this year. I have been impressed with him when I've seen him on TV, but I will admit, it is hard to completely judge a player's performance on television.
Claude Julien did an admirable job getting the Bruins to the playoffs. However, I see what he did as being common -- just making the game very defensive and structured, and finding a way to win. The reason I went with the three I did is I felt they did not follow the standard modern NHL mold when it came to styles of play -- those three teams won using more unique systems. But Julien is definitely worthy of consideration, and he is a very classy individual.
I don't think that Overcheckin is the run away for MVP. While he definately had the best season as a person a MVP needs to improve the people around him and make them better players. Overchekin does not fit the bill here. He is terrible on defense and when his teamates get a chance to shoot the puck it is usually because they corral a rebound after the puck has hit a player in front of the net or a rebound from the goalie. I like Malkin but am biased as a Pens fan. Malkin did step up his game and made all the players around him better when Crosby went down. Overchekin should never be considered a MVP until he can make his teamates better and learn to play defense.
Man, Datsyuk doesn't even get to be a runner up for the Selkie? He leads the league in +/- and by a huge margin in take-aways. Granted, he's not a bruiser, but if you have the puck and Pavel approaches you, it's pretty much 50/50 whether or not you get to keep it. The guy is unreal. I suppose he'll probably just get another Lady Byng. He must mutter in his broken English, "I'm so terribly sorry, but I need this to score" every time he strips a guy of the puck or some gentlemanly type thing like that.
I guess stealer4ever did'nt see the OVECHKIN everyone
else saw this year to bad because you missed a great player and a great team show you how to get it done in the nhl. I guess it's to be expected from a penguin fan. What did sid the kid do this year but sit out the last game so you all could lose and then draw Ottawa in the first round.
Pittsburgh fans will never have what CAPITALS FANS have a team that works together and wins together. Ovechkin deserves all the awards he gets because he should how being in the bottom doesn't mean your
out of the playoffs. Yes Bruce deserves COACH OF THE YEAR!!! Enough said GO CAPS GO!! Bye-Bye pittsburgh your going home in five.
Last edited by laniniiie2 on April 10th at 8:44 AM.
Well I'm a Pens fan living in the DC area and I say that, steelers and laniniiie2, are both wrong. Ovechkin definitely makes the players around him better. He is a winger that can move to any slot and draw defenseman, is a skilled passer and hits more than he takes. They couldn't have Green on his line if the wingers didn't have the ability to play defense. He is the clear cut MVP this year.
Malkin was great and will get even better. But he is not the guy that makes the other skaters better - that is Crosby. He is no better defensively than Ovy.
But anyone that says the Caps have a team that works together and wins together and the Pens don't is a ridiculous homer or can't see the forest through the trees. Have you watched any hockey other than the Caps this year, laniniiie2?
I see someone beat me to the Datsyuk Selke... I find it hard to beleive the author would say a player who is tenth in +/- should be the selke winner... I thought the award nomination was limted to the top 5 in +/-, especially those with better point totals... I beleive that puts Datsyuk and Zetterberg in the running...
...and we wings fans are still trying to get Mr. Lidstrom to change his first name to Norris... That would be cool...
Heck, why not just go with the stats and give 90% of the awards to the wings...
Moseby you don't seem to understand what you are reading. I've been a CAPS fan for 30+years and I know a great TEAM when I see one and I am sorry you can't see that through the trees in your forest. Penguins are nothing but cry babies it's like you all have Jagr back on the team. You need to watch out for Ottawa because you will be going home in five. So I hope you enjoyed your shutout win because it's the only playoff win for you guys this season. Hope you enjoy watching the CAPS WIN THE STANLEY CUP!!! I know I will!!!
Bye the way yes being recently moved to North Carolina I've seen plenty of other teams play including Pittsburgh and Iam sorry to say but I was not impressed. Better luck next year!
I normally dont do this but Lanin... I guess you don't watch too many other teams but the Caps. I told you Overcheckin was a puck hog and I will prove it to you. Pittsburgh is easily a better TEAM than the Caps and they play better defense too. Below I will post the three top players with shots taken and their point totals for the year. Between the CAPS and PENS.
CAPS
Player Shots Goals Assist Total
Overchekin 446 65 47 112
Green 234 18 38 56
Kozlov 219 16 38 54
Just by looking at this simple stat you can see that Overcheckin is a puck hog, doesn't pass to teamates often and is the only player with more goals than assists. Explain to me this team concept you profess again. PS if you threw out Hossa numbers as probably 240+ shots came as a Thrasher it becomes even more evident. Malkin misses the MVP consideration because he took 174 less shots than Overcheckin and misses scoring title by 6 points is ridicoulous. Too often the scoring leader is the shoe in for the MVP I just don't think it has to be that way and sometimes is unjustified.
PS - I am a PENS fan living in Denver unfortunately I don't get to see too many games other than AVS games. TV coverage of Hockey is terrible in the US right now. However I watch as many games as possible. (All Teams)
Last edited by steelers4ever@ on April 10th at 11:59 PM.
It should be evident to both PENS and CAPS fans that Great Player's will always be great players but they don't get you a team that can win the CUP.
Jagr win's 2 cups in Pittsburgh with Mario being one of the greatest teamates ever. Without Mario asisstance JAGR was still a great player wrapping up several scoring titles and MVP's howver no more Cup's before he went to the CAPS. How many Cup's did the CAPS win while JAGR was there? None. None as a Ranger either. Jagr will always be a great player but that does not mean he improves the team around him. JAGR will never win a cup again because he thought he was the Team. I can see Overcheckin heading down this same road unless he learns to pass and include his teamates in the hockey game. He is extremely talented and young so I think he will succeed in this department with a little age.
I just hope Overcheckin will show more class than JAGR when it comes time to move on to a new team should that ever happen. Overcheckin has already showed more maturity and appreciation to the CAPS than JAGR ever did while he was a PEN.
Last edited by steelers4ever@ on April 10th at 11:39 PM.
I guess stealer4ever can't read or see what is right in front of his face. I said being that I recently moved to North Carolina I have seen many other teams play other then the Caps such as Carolina, Pittsburgh Boston, Montreal, Detroit and Florida. Carolina doesn't seem to carry the NHL like Washington does. Alex Ovechkin is not a puck hog otherwise no one else on the team would have any goals. I just think it's all sour grapes on you because once again OVECHKIN will get an award that Sid the kid Crosby won't that being MVP!! Make sure you watch CAPS beat Philly tonight I KNOW I will be watching on my computer.
Last edited by laniniiie2 on April 11th at 7:19 AM.
laniniie2 - I just call it as I see it and what I see is that you are a homer with no real knowledge about what makes a great team. First of all, you made a generalization about all Pens fans because of one written comment. How many Pens fans do you know? Then you state that the Caps were a better team, even though the Pens had 16 more points in the standings AND did it with Crosby out for 29 games. The Pens are better defensively and in almost every statistical category. But the Caps have the momentum and have been playing great. If the Caps win the Cup it would be great for your fans. Does it mean that the Pens don't play as a team and are crybabies? Dude, give it up. You provide no facts to back your opinion, at least steelers4ever did. You have been a Caps fan for over 30 years but obviously you don't KNOW the game of hockey. BTW, be sure to come back on to apologize after Pittsburgh eliminates the Senators.
steeler4ever, thanks for the stats. But you also know having watched both teams that the Caps don't have the skilled players at all positions as the Pens, so that Ovy HAS to take that many shots. Semin and Backstrom are still developing and that is why they had two defenseman as #2 and #3 on their team scoring list. Ovechkin does pass the puck and passes it well. He also hits which is unusual for a star player. He is every bit the phenom that Crosby and Malkin are and deserves the MVP, because he carried the team on his back until they traded for Huet at the deadline.
I speak from experience about Penguin fans I grew up at the Capital Centre and then the Verizon Center watching how Penguin fans act. I never said all Penguin fans act the same but you guys do seem to WHINE more when OVECHKIN gets an award and Malkin and Crosby don't. I would rather have Malkin on my team then Crosby because he reminds me to much of Jagr another words when the going gets tough Crosby SITS OUT!!!! I agree with moseby in that OVIE did carry the team most of the season but he didn't let his team down even when the extra help came our way. OVIE loves hockey but most especially he loves being on a TEAM THAT WORKS HARD TOGETHER. As for not quoting stats I leave that to my brother I enjoy just watching the game and all the great players and teams that come along whether it the CAPS o the penquins. To me the player on pittsburgh that deserves any consideration for awards is Malkin because he doesn't QUIT when others do? Need a hint? SID the KID CROSBY. No I won't be apologizing for saying Ottawa in five because that is how I see it!!
GO CAPS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well I must have seen you at the Cap Centre and Verizon/MCI, because I have been there many times myself, and not just for Pens games. I seem to remember that they are no different than Flyers, Rangers, Bruins, Devils or Islander fans. Even saw more than a few obnoxious Cap fans. But hey, that is your opinion. Sounds more to me like jealousy of the success they had vs. the Caps in the playoffs in the 90's, but whatever.
I hope the Caps beat the Flyers, but their weaknesses will be shown vs. the Pens in the Eastern Semi-Final. Crosby is going to be around for a lot of years, so you better get used to him...
Ok, I'm going to have to step in here an straighten out what MVP stands for. Most Valuable Player. That is MVP for his team. Were would the Capitals be this year with no Ovechkin. Probably around the 10 win total. Penguins showed last year that they can win games without Malkin having big numbers, why? Because Crosby and their other skill players can carry the load, they showed that last year. He won the MVP as I recall. This is no knock on Malkin, but he only "carried" the Pens in Crosby's absence. Ovechkin has "carried" the Caps ALL year.
There is no question that Pens have a better team, they have more playmakers offensivly in Crosby, Malkin, Sykora and Hossa and their blue line is probably a little better than the Caps with the goaltending about equal since the Huet trade.
You cannot blame Ovechkin for taking 400+ shots and call him a puck hog. This goes back to the playmakers on the team. The guy scores goals, that is his job, thats what he gets paid to do. He is a great passer, but he is expected to score goals. Everyone knocks him for not playing defense, which is garbage. He has a +/- of +28 and is one of the harder hitters in the league. Malkin and Crosby are no better defensivly then Ovechkin.
Call me a CAPS homer all you want because I don't care if EVERYBODY knows Iam a CAPS fan. Like I said I hope everybody is ready to see the CAPS raise the STANLEY CUP high above their heads at the VERIZON CENTER!!!! Enough of this boys enjoy the games tonight and may the better teams win! Here is a Stat for ya don't you all think it's time for the CAPITALS to get their 1st Stanley Cup under their belt? GO CAPS GO!
steelers4ever...are you watching the same league...if anything malkin and crosby do not deserve MVP. MVP is not about making the people around you better it is about being the MOST VALUABLE PLAYER...meaning what you bring to the team as an individual...how would the team perform without you..i think we can all agree without ove the caps would not be in the playoffs...pittsburgh on the other hand has proved they don't need crosby to win b/c malkin will step up..and vice versa....OVE carried that team on his back. 65 goals....
Thanks moseby.
By the way, I'm a Caps fan- but more importantly a hockey fan. Not one person that likes the Capitals can honestly say that if they were given the oppurtunity to start a franchise and Ovechkin was off the board they wouldn't take Malkin or Crosby, and vice versa for a Penguins fan to select Ovechkin. The only team I dislike is the Hurricanes, and that is only because I'm forced to watch their games because Versus chooses to show Big Time Deer Hunting and Fox Sports shows Tennis here in NC when the Canes are not playing...####! That and Trip Tracy is a ####.
Lamin... now says Ottawa in 6 no make that 8. I saw the Flyers / Caps game tonight and Overcheckin probably played one of the most rounded games I have ever seen him play, good hard hits, nice passing and a beautiful goal.
AO deserves it for shure.malkin was the only threat he had after crosby went down.had crosby not got hurt it would have been crosby.he had a 120 or more point prejection when he went down and AO was like 10 points behind but he got hurt enough said about that.malkin only would have won even if AO was leading in points total had malkin got 50 goals and a few more points and AO did not make playoffs malkin would be. but all is for not AO is the leader and the winner!!!and im a pens fan and i know this helps hockey in D.C. But i also know this will be probably his only 1 unless crosby and or malkin go down.sorry but AO would have to play like he did last few weeks of the season the entire season next year.dont see it happening.and to you peeps that think crosby wines well lets see if you like being hooked /grabbed/tripped and calls only come mabe at a 60% rate so dont forget he was league leader in drawing penalties even missing the 29 games.AO does not have that kinda draw and theres somany not called.
and for the playoffs sorry wont meet in confrence finals unless boston beats monteal.not happening .we will get either caps and or philly next round.pens up by 2 so get ready to be oustead next round by pens if you make it.you just have no luck against us and we do have the better all around team.can your team say it has depth the likes of the pens.we can lose a player here or there if you lost your leading players your done for so you lack depth.beat the living daylights out of them philly.pilly in 7 and ill even go to say overtime in game 7 to do it.
LOLOLOLOLOL Sens in 5 huh? Keep on praying you Caps fans keep on praying..... anyone out there wanna bet their homes on the Pens going deeper in the playoffs than the Caps?.
Last edited by earthlypowers on April 12th at 12:55 AM.
hmmmm lets really look at the kids point production.........maybe you think having most of your points as 2nd assists means something???? yea it means you are passing to a guy who can actually make things happen!!!
OVIE MVP
Last edited by capsfansince82 on April 12th at 9:42 AM.
Hey laniniie2 When you have to make an arguement as to why your man should be the mvp then maybe he isn't as deserving as you think.There are a handful of players that could be considered for the award but none that you need not argue for.Ovechkin is a great player,even someone like me (a diehard Pens fan) will admit that. I have no problem with him recieving the mvp either.My problem is your take on the Pens as a whole.To say the Pens tanked it so that they could play Ottawa is bull.You don't think your take on Crosby is due to envy? The only one you are fooling is the guy looking back at you in the mirror. Ask ANY hockey fan if they would want Crosby on their team and you will get your answer,just as anyone with a lick of sense would love to have Ovechkin,Malkin etc..Oh by the way, when Crosby went down to an injury,where was he as far as the scoring race? The worse thing that came out of his injury was to show everyone that the Pens are a far more diverse team than anyone wanted to believe.At the end of the year if Ovechkin wins the mvp and not the cup,ask yourself which means the most.Nut up a little and listen to one of Crosby's takes sometime. When asked about it after HE won the mvp,he said it was nice but it's not THE cup.Personal awards are for individuals,championships are earned by teams.
It's annoying that a blog regarding multiple awards in the leage, to honor several people who make the game great, is turning into another Crosby/Malkin fan vs. Ove fan slugfest. *yawn*
Lady Jane- pretty sad isn't it? Seems like some Penguins fans can't give Ovechkin credit this year, and some Capitals fans still won't give Crosby credit last year or Malkin any credit this year. There is nothing really left to argue about. Ovechkin is 99.9% likely to win the MVP this year. I'm somewhat biased towards Ovechkin, but thats because I am a Caps fan. I only get to watch the Caps play a few games out of the year though. I'm stuck in North Carolina- and I hate the Hurricanes. Don't really ever see Malkin or Crosby play or any other good young talented players. I might just have to order the NHL package next year.
Cbarrett has nailed the real problem that faces the US hocket fan in the US right now. How bad is it that the NHL & VS doesn't allow some other network to show any hockey games. It's bad enough that the regular season only has 1 or 2 games a week on TV but it should be a crime that EVERY playoff game is not televised. I am a Pens fan living in Denver so I do see a lot of western conference games.
Last edited by steelers4ever@ on April 13th at 10:14 AM.
Good comments from everybody. It's great players like Ovechkin, Crosby, Malkin, etc. that get everyboy fired up. Gotta love it. I'm a Pens fan so you know where loyalty lies. But c'mon, 65 goals, that's awesome. Sid is still the best overall player though. Ovechkin wins MVP this year and can't wait to see the battle for it next year. By the way, no mention on Sergei Gonchar for The Norris. Of course I'm biased but c'mon.
Laniniie, hate to break it to you, but the Flyers are most certainly going to win this series, and are a much better team. They really should be up 2-0, as they've dominated 5 of the 6 periods. Now that they've figured out how to shutdown Green its over. I think the Caps have a bright future, but they're not ready for the big show until they get more depth. As amazing as AO is, history shows time and time again one or two great players will lose over a 7 game series to a well balanced team.
The Penguins also are a much better team, and should cruise past OTW. Should be a great 2nd round matchup between Philly and Pitts.
Laniniie, hate to break it to you, but the Flyers are most certainly going to win this series, and are a much better team. They really should be up 2-0, as they've dominated 5 of the 6 periods. Now that they've figured out how to shutdown Green its over. I think the Caps have a bright future, but they're not ready for the big show until they get more depth. As amazing as AO is, history shows time and time again one or two great players will lose over a 7 game series to a well balanced team.
The Penguins also are a much better team, and should cruise past OTW. Should be a great 2nd round matchup between Philly and Pitts.
I think CBarrett touched on it when he said Ovechkin was the most valuable to his team, and that was my opinion as well. Ovechkin, Crosby, and Malkin are all great players, no question.
Datsyuk was certainly a contender for the Selke... perhaps he should have been one of my finalists. As far as going simply on +/-, a lot of times, that's affected by the team you are on. I actually thought the most impressive +/- was Sharp, when compared to the rest of his team. But I certainly see the arguments for Datsyuk and others. More than any other award, this one tends to be both subjective and affected by how many times you see a player in person, as defense is seen much better in person than on television. As a result, I usually find it the toughest award on which to decide!
Interesting thought on Risebrough. I think he's done a great job since day one, and generally, it's viewed as a gradual building process as opposed to what he's done in any one season. Yet the acquisitions of Fedoruk and Simon have given the Wild tough guys who can play a regular shift, and that might be pretty critical after last season's first round.
Ok Lanin.... looks like your prediction on the Pens/Senators series is about useless now (You say Sens in 5). Pens took it in 4, even I thought it would take the Pens 5. I predicted Flyers in 6 and it looks like I could be on track. Notice the Pens balanced scoring attack all their stars have great numbers as long as assists count in your opinion. All the Flyers have to do is stop Overchekin which they are ( 3 points in 3 games) and the CAPS are done. Even though Green is playing well the Caps are going to lose series because the Superstar is having a bad series. Not to mention Huet has become very average in the playoffs VS the end of the regular season.
Last edited by steelers4ever@ on April 16th at 7:47 PM.
As a life-long hockey fan and sports fan in general, sports has always been a big part of my life. I have combined that with my interest in writing to create a long-term interest in sportswriting , something that has manifested itself in various sportswriting opportunities over the years.
