NHL Thread

[anticipation]

The Berge is clutch as ****, one of the (very) few truly great two-way centers in the East. What does everyone think about no Giroux? I don't understand the inclusion of Nash/Carter over others but if anyone can tipsy-toe around 2nd class talent (i.e. the Olympics) and score pretty goals it's them. Big bodies with a nice shot but soft as hell, no defensive ability and middling wheels.

[Taxman]

When it comes to Bergeron, I agree -he has fully deserved his place. Every team needs a great two-way center, even Canada.

[Thom Yorke]

A bit past midseason, so why not do one of these.

This is for who should win, not who I think will win.

Hart

Winner: Ben Bishop - It always seems like a cop-out to pick the goalie that is carrying his team, but I really have to this year. No Stamkos and the Lightning still haven't missed a beat.

Runner-Ups: Sidney Crosby - Don't think I really need to explain this one. He does have some help in Pittsburgh, but he's obviously the straw that stirs the drink.

Anze Kopitar - When you look at teams in playoff positions, I'm not sure if one specific player is doing more for his team than Kopitar. He's playing in a ll the key situations, and is giving a team that isn't known for goalscoring a legitimate top line threat. Teams like Boston and St. Louis are doing it more by committee, and teams like Anaheim, San Jose and Chicago have a few stars that are hard to differentiate between.

Lindsay

Winner: Sidney Crosby - So far ahead of the next best in terms of offense, while not exactly hurting his team on D.

Runner-Ups: Ben Bishop - See above; he's just having an exceptional season.

Ryan Getzlaf - I think he's somehow gone a bit under-the-radar this season. He's scoring on a record pace as well as setting things up and is contributing defensively as well.

Norris

Winner: Alex Pietrangelo - Him and Keith are the frontrunners, but I think he's having a more well-rounded season right now.

Runner-Ups: Duncan Keith - Can't argue against him; he's putting up more points than he ever has while still playing is strong defensive game.

Ryan Suter - He's heating up lately and you can't ignore the minutes he logs.

Vezina

Winner: Ben Bishop - See above...

Runner-Ups: Tuukka Rask - Has been very cold lately, but is still having a great season. If you ask me to project to the end of the season, he might be my favourite as I'm not sold on Bishop keeping this up all year.

Carey Price - His stats have plummeted lately, but he's still been in the discussion all year. Harding should get consideration as well, but unfortunately it looks like his shot at this will fall short with his illness.

Selke

Winner: Patrice Bergeron - There is simply nobody better as a two-way forward.

Runner-Ups: Anze Kopitar - Just having a magnificent season as a two-way forward, despite Brown struggling this year.

David Backes - Another nomination for the guy who has evolved into one of the best defensive forwards in the NHL.

Calder

Winner: Torey Krug - Yeah, he has some defensive deficiencies in his game, but he completely turned the Bruins PP around, and 11 goals for a rookie d-man at this point in the season is ridiculous. He's definitely cooled down though, so I'd bet on him being overtaken at the end of the season.

Runner-Ups: Nathan Mackinnon - I think he's done enough to earn this spot. I wasn't really sold on him coming in, but he's transitioned to the NHL better than most.

Chris Kreider - He was a guy who's development had been stagnant for a while, but he's breaking through in a big way right now.

Jack Adams

Winner: Jon Cooper - It's tough to win this award without drastically turning your team around, and that's exactly what Cooper has done.

Runner-Ups: Bruce Boudreau - The guy really knows how to win in the regular season. He's getting the most possible out of his roster.

Patrick Roy - Similar to Cooper, when you drastically turn your team's fortunes around, you're going to get a nomination.

[Thom Yorke]

So Stamkos is a no-go, which sucks. Knowing how much Canada loves to cater to Crosby, I think we'll be seeing Neal added to the team, especially considering the rivalry Crosby/Giroux have...

Everyone is saying MSL, but I just don't see it happening. They just lost a top sniper, and adding MSL would just be adding another playmaker. Giroux would be as well, but his size isn't as much of an issue as MSL's is (which Canada obviously cares a lot about).

Neal is left-handed which isn't ideal, but I expect them to go with him (chemistry, size, sniping ability). I think Seguin could be a good choice. He plays a lot like Stamkos, is a very good skater for the big ice, and is actually right-handed. Chemistry with Bergeron and Benn too.

[Ninetales]

Id bring Joe Thornton if it was up to me but that wont happen which is too bad. None of the potential picks are bad but id probably choose St. Louis over the rest.

[Taxman]

Both Filppula and Koivu are out. ****.

[Thom Yorke]

Originally Posted by Taxman

Both Filppula and Koivu are out. ****.

That's a deathblow if I've ever seen one.

[Thom Yorke]

I could watch that all day. Kind of sad that this is the kind of D you can play and still win the Norris. The voters need to get back to voting for the award how it's supposed to be voted on.

[Burning Down]

Originally Posted by Thom Yorke

I could watch that all day. Kind of sad that this is the kind of D you can play and still win the Norris. The voters need to get back to voting for the award how it's supposed to be voted on.

Yeah wow, that's embarrassing.

[Ninetales]

are you serious right now??? oh man im pissed. karlsson is literally top 3 dmen in the league jesus he makes everyone around him better. What do you want him to do there? not respect the shot and block the goalie? you gotta be kidding me. I just.. wow. Bergeron is top 5 centres in the game and he scores on one of the best dman and you blame karlsson wow. Heres a fun Cowen moment to enjoy