Re: The NHL Thread
 

:thumbsup :thumbsup

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this statement is why the Norris is basically meaningless nowadays

kind of sad in a lot of ways

i was always confused as to why Brooks Orpik was never in the running when he was in his prime. the guy would be SO good in his own zone that he would inspire chants of "defense" at the Igloo

not saying he should've won because guys like Lidstrom, Chara, & Keith were in their primes also, but to not even get a mention because he didn't score is just absurd

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I agree with you but the writers in their infinite wisdom will look more at the 15 more points Karlsson has than Letang while conveniently overlooking the fact that Karlsson has played ten more games than Letang.

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What the hell is the Roger Crozier award?

There's a plus minus award?

Vezina is not close, sorry

Can McDavid even win the Masterson this year?

What h2p said about Crosby and the Selke is exactly how I feel about Nick Backstrom (of course it is, I know)

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Doughty for Norris.

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Roger Crozier award is for the goalie who has the best save percentage.

Agreed the plus minus award is pointless.

I think Holtby runs away with the Vezina.

I also think McDavid has a good shot at the Masterson, he certainly qualifies based on the NHL criteria:

Re: The NHL Thread
 

bingo

:lol you aren't going to try to convince us that Backstrom is as good as Crosby againm are you?

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I would have no issue with that but I think the writers will likely put him 2nd or 3rd on the vote due to his point total being well behind Karlsson.

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I think Trotz definitely deserves the Adams award this year. Of course, if you look back over the years, I think I've said that for the last 5 years at least. I just love that guy.

But a big one that we're missing here is Gerard Gallant in Florida. The patient work he's done in Florida bringing along those young guys has been fantastic. He's easily second place to Trotz in my book. Boudreau would round out my top 3. A lot of teams have performed admirable turn-arounds, but none so dramatically as Anaheim's in my book.

As for the Norris, you guys know me and me aversion to giving it to offensive defensemen, but I just saw a stat on Erik Karlsson that blew me away: With his 64 (SIXTY FOUR) assists, not to mention 15 goals which is nothing to balk at for a defenseman, he factored into ONE THIRD of all the goals the Sens scored this year. That's not just Norris-worthy, that should have him in the Hart discussion as well for most valuable to the team. Not only that, but his defense improves every year. This hard-nosed defenseman really enjoys watching him now at all ends of the ice. He's really becoming Lidstrom-esque in his positioning and smarts.

Rounding out my Norris voting is Letang (I agree with you all that his defensive improvement this year has been dramatic) and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. I would sure love to see what OEL could do away from the Yotes, but they're going to keep their future captain locked up for a long time if they can.

Hart voting for me comes down to Kane, Karlsson, and Crosby.

Vezina is Holtby, Quick, and Luongo.

You all know my Calder thoughts. Even with them, Panarin wins.

Selke will most likely have the usual lineup of Bergeron, Datsyuk, and Toews. Nothing wrong with those three - they deserve it - but it's getting predictable. Crosby has always been a very defensively responsible player (remember the arguments we used to have in here about him vs Ovechkin? Some of the most heated we've ever had :lol). And I would love to see some bottom 6 PK-ers get some love for this award. Guys like Jack Skille, Zack Smith, etc.

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we'll see Karlsson vs. Letang tonight

if anyone is able to watch Sens vs. Pens, i suggest doing it

IMO, the eye test will tell you that Crosby is more deserving of the Selke than anyone and that Letang is the best defenseman in the world right now

god the Pens are fucking sexy right now

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Yeah, have a look at Karlsson. He's really improved and is a lot of fun to watch, regardless if you're trying to compare him to Letang.

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yea, not taking anything away from Karlsson whatsoever. love watching him play too

but the Norris has turned into the Art Ross for defensemen, which is such bullshit

i'm sure Karlsson is rounding out his game in his own zone, but Letang is unreal. just as good of a skater as Karlsson but with a better stick and more physicality.

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I cannot stand the guy but they have to put Brent Burns in the Norris mix too.

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Could not agree more.

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You won't find anyone around that agrees with you more than me on this. If it were up to me, guys like Niklas Hjalmarsson and Karl Alzner would be winning the Norris every year.

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:thumbsup:thumbsup

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God I love you

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Yeah, two of the most under-rated guys in the NHL but both of them put up squat for points. The voters never consider how valuable their penalty killing, shot blocking, checking, passing and playing shut down defense is! Hell in Hjalmarsson's case you'd think he merit some more attention considering he was a key cog in 3 championships!

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Coulda sworn that was called the William Jennings award

Also I literally did not know they gave an award for +/-. Yikes

No, but I do think he deserves some Selke consideration, and he's never really had any

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I knew that would make you smile.

Guys - another d-man to watch is John Klingberg in Dallas. He's finishing up a superb sophomore campaign in which he didn't come anywhere close to sophomore slump. I almost included him in my Norris top 3, he's that solid. He'll be a perennial nominee for years to come, mark my words.

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i can get on board with that

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:lol I had to look it up myself. Jennings is for the goalie who's team has given up the least goals in the league. Crozier is for individual save percentage.

Completely agree that no one gives a damn about +/-!

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Yeah, Jennings is a tandem award. So the both the backup and starting goalies for the team share the award.

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Is Crozier new? How have I never heard of this before?

Also is the +/- award really just called the Plus Minus Award? I don't ever remember an award being given for that

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A tandem award in which the defense that actually shuts down the opposition gets no credit at all. ;)

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Crozier award has been around since the 2000 season.

Yup, that is exactly what it is called - that one has been around since 1983.

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Couts needs some Selke love

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Sarah Bangs award: Who is the hairiest?

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I thought it would have been hockey wife Sarah would most want to bang

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Turned into the Art Ross?. It's mostly been that way for most our lives. Rod Langway was a very long time ago at this point.