How about Alex Auld? He started as a backup goalie and now he's the starter since clutzier got injured. He's playing fantastic, and ranks amongst the highest minutes played in the entire NHL.
It doesn't matter if they're at the top of the league or not, what matters is that he has an impact on his team and is the most valuable player on it. The award goes to the most valuable player on a team, it has nothing to do with a team being successful. Without Ovechkin, the Capitals wouldn't even have 25 points right now. He contributes to his team, and he's a team player. Even Olaf Kolzig has said that the only reason he wants to come back to the Capitals is because Ovechkin is such a motivator and team-player. Kolzig was practically begging to get out of Washington last season (before the lockout), too. I don't think he'll get the award over Jagr or Staal, though. But he should still at least be in the running.
I think in order for you to be considered "valuable" enough for the Hart Trophy, you have to at least contribute to the success of the franchise. "Success" being a playoff birth. Ovechkin's an amazing impact player, but he hasn't lifted Washington past where they were stuck last season (meaning out of the playoffs). As far as I can remember, only one person has ever won the Hart Trophy and not made the playoffs in the same year: Lemieux in 1988. But Ovechkin is nowhere near on the same scale as Lemieux was back then. That season was just extraordinary. He had a part in 53% of the Penguins 319 goals with 168 points and a +23 rating.
Unfortunately, this isn't 1988 or any other time like that. If people honestly think Ovechkin is the best player in the league, chances are he'll win the award. Kind of like A-Rod did with the Rangers a few years back, and what Kobe will likely do this year, barring someone absolutely dominating the second half of the NBA. People like individual shows right now... if Ovechkin winds up with the most points and goals (a long shot, to be sure), he'll probably win it.
Fortunately, this isn't baseball or basketball. These people who love individual shows aren't the ones voting for the awards, for the select reporters/media members who vote for the nominees are very traditional when it comes to voting, and are very unlikely to deviate from tradition, so I doubt that very much. There's a difference between MVP of the league, and MVP to your team. You're thinking "league". The Lester B. Pearson is for "league MVP". The Hart Trophy is for "team MVP". Sure, I think Ovechkin will get consideration, but I doubt very very much he'll win, coming from a traditional standpoint that the voters will undoubtedly uphold. He's probably much more likely to win the Lester B. Pearson trophy rather than the Hart.
Of course it isn't baseball or basketball. But this is modern times, not decades ago. And, as we can clearly see, the NHL is changing drastically. They're emphasizing goal-scoring, points leaders and the thrill of young players. The media, if anything, has latched hold of this new NHL more than the general public, and I hardly see any "traditionalists" except for in Detroit and Canada. If you look at any southern hockey team, or any team that's from the expansion era, most of their reporters love the new NHL, the scoring, and the younger players. Everyone's eating it up. Sports Illustrated has done a few articles on NHL so far, and all have been about the younger players except for two, and both of those still emphasized the improvement of the game due to all of the changes. And, no, I am not confusing league MVP and team MVP. To say that many other players have done so much for their teams is silly. Ovechkin has literally dragged his team along the entire season, and he's elevated their play a small amount. It doesn't matter that they're not a playoff team, what matters is he is having a huge impact on his team, and he's doing it as a rookie. He is what Gretzky, Yzerman and Lemieux all were -- impact players from the very beginning. I would not be a bit surprised if he were wearing the "C" on his chest next year. I still agree that chances are he will not win, however. That will probably go to Jagr as not only is he on the better team, but he has the better statistics.
Where do you think most of the reporters are from? And these aren't just run-of-the-mill random reporters, they're specially picked and well respected journalists from the Professional Hockey Writers' Association, most who've covered the game for the aforesaid decades. Believe me, they'll most likely stick with tradition. I had the same argument with someone a few years over Roberto Luongo. He stopped the most shots in the league, placed near the top in games played, had tons of shutouts, and was overall amazing, but his team wasn't successful. He was passed over. I think the same thing will happen to Ovechkin. Just speaking from a traditional standpoint, I'm just saying that it's unlikely.
Why'd you mark out Detroit? Detroit is almost joined-at-the-hip with Canada when it comes to hockey. And I agree it's unlikely, but if Ovechkin had the same stats as Jagr, I think he would easily be in the top two of voting simply because he's an up-and-coming player. If he leads the league in points/goals at the end of the season (which won't happen), he'll win the award. I'll put money on that. Just like before when I said I doubted Ovechkin would get demolished for "taunting" and he'd get rookie of the year
Just making a point that most of the reporters will be Canadian traditionalists, nothing against Detroit. Ovechkin has fortunately grown up and stopped his overembellishments when he scores. That's surprised me. Granted, if he had continued that, I still stand by my point that he would've been hurt. I also think it's impressive how a player one year younger than Ovechkin, being Crosby, is only mere points behind him in the scoring race for rookies. I'm willing to bet Crosby will put up better numbers than Ovechkin's rookie year next year, when he's the same age as Ovechkin was in his rookie season.
Holly crap didn't tihnk this much of an argument would come over me saying Ovechkin should be considered. I didn't say he should wn it I just said he should be considered, I mena one would be dumb to tihnk he would actually win it, but he should be considered. Casue yes I totally agree that the team ahs to be successful and at least make playoffs or at least just finish outside of the palyoff cutoff line. I don't see how you figure Crosby will do so much better next year just cause he is a year older. I mean obviously he will do better but you are making it sound like he has a disadvantage this season to Ovechkin cause he is a year younger.
What I meant was that Ovechkin's a stronger player with more experience playing with men in a pro league with a speedier game than the QMJHL, as he did in Moscow for 3 or 4 years. I think Crosby will be warmed up like Ovechkin was for this season when he hits the ice next year as a stronger, better prepared 19 year old. Not to say there's a disadvantage per se, but I believe Crosby will have a year comparative to, or maybe better than, Ovechkin's rookie season as a 19 year old when Crosby plays next year as a 19 year old. I mean, Crosby's only trailing him by 5 or 6 points, I think that's impressive. Rick Nash took a year to cope before he tied for the Rocket Richard trophy. I think Ovechkin was better prepared and Crosby will be at his level next year.
True enough but we will have to see. I think Ovechkin will only get better next year as well. But yah I would ahve to agree with you that Crosby will put up better numbers next year than Ovechkin will put up this year, barring injury.
True, the Pens dominated the Capitals. Since it probably won't be started, I guess this can be an unofficial Olympic hockey thread. Jesus, the woman's team have played 2 games and have outscored the opponent 28-0. That's as lopsided as a Canucks-Blues game. So, do you think the men's team is going to repeat gold? We have some world-class talent right from between the pipes to behind the bench.
*bah-dum-tss* I have no doubt. This team is absolutely stacked. Sakic, Iginla, Nash, Thornton, Heatley, Gagne, Lecavalier, St. Louis, Richards. It's absolutely nuts. And Brodeur's playing some of the best hockey of his career in the last month. The only real threats that I see is the Czechs or Russia. The Czechs are probably the second-best well-rounded team in the tournament, while Russia's defence and goaltending can be suspect. Sweden's hurt, the Finns have no goalie, the US is inexperienced, and Slovakia has a few superstars but very little help between the pipes. If Brodeur continues his strong play, we can get scoring from all around, Doan-Draper-Smyth do their job to shut down the opposition, and our defence stays solid, I can't see anyone in our way.
What about Bertuzzi? The guy's been floating around in Canucks games. I hope he really steps it up and plays to his potential. When he's motivated, he can play. Like when he got a hat-trick against Detroit. There's a foundation called Canuck Place, which helps kids with illnesses in the lower mainland that is run by the Canucks. They organize opportunities for the kids to go to games and meet the Canucks on off-days. A little girl whose favorite player was Big Bert was watching that game.
He'll be motivated to play for his country. He should've been in 2002, actually. I can only imagine the fear in the players eyes from Finland when he comes bearing down on a forecheck. The Finns are such a small team. Easily intimidated. If I was to guess, the lines would be; Iginla Sakic Gagne St. Louis Lecavalier Richards Nash Thornton Heatley Bertuzzi Doan Draper/Smyth
Ooh, that top line looks deadly. Then again, I wouldn't relish playing against any of them. I want to see Bertuzzi playing against Zdeno Chara. He'd bounce off him like a fly just like other people do off him! Who's in the taxi squad for Defense now that Jovocopter and Niedermayer are out? I would have picked McCabe over Jovo anyway, but I don't know too much about Bouwmeester. Sweet, Vancouver won (3-2 OT). Minny are like the only team we can beat on a consistent basis lately (SS 4-2 'Nucks), but they're as underrated as they are to watch (very, at least Fernandez let some in). If the Kings continue to suck (they beat Dallas 6-5), I'd say it would be a toss-up between the Ducks and the Wild for the 8th playoff spot.
Boyle is in the taxi squad for defensemen. Yah If the kings continue to suck then yah I can see the ducks or the wild easily slipping into that 8th spot. On top of that if the Oilers continue to suck then they will be in that situation as well. In all reality I hope they dont make playoffs just so the damn organization learns that our management is shit. We dont have a goalie problem, we have a fucking coaching problem. Get rid of MacT he is a fucking idiot. Like the game against Minnesota they are playing the trap and MacT can't figure out why the oilers cant send passes accross the ice in the neutral zone. Well fuck its kinda hard to get a ss through 4 guys on the other team. But the only problem is that Lowe wont fire his buddy MacT, so if we have to clean house then so be it.
Mike Morrison is playing extremely well, and you've got solid defense with #44. I think Edmonton should be doing better than they have been. But I hope they don't make the playoffs so the 'Nucks don't have to play them. that would suck because you'd sweep the series.
You poor westerners. The Olympic hockey games will be a bitch to watch. The Canada Italy game is at 4AM PT on Wednesday. Luckily that's 8:30AM NT for me.