tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14427229.post8337572173406687416..comments2023-08-26T10:21:07.251-04:00Comments on Japers' Rink: Backstrom A Calder FinalistJPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13144581988817631208noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14427229.post-22604045897436349102008-04-24T20:12:00.000-04:002008-04-24T20:12:00.000-04:00Well, those people are unquestionably stupid. In ...Well, those people are unquestionably stupid. In essence, the League would be generally making it harder for their best rookies - those who the worst teams had the opportunity to draft - to win the award for best rookie. That's just moronic.JPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13144581988817631208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14427229.post-22351775154742385172008-04-24T19:58:00.000-04:002008-04-24T19:58:00.000-04:00Well, that isn't actually the argumemtI was making...Well, that isn't actually the argumemtI was making, since I think it is indisputable that making the playoffs does have a big effect on the Hart voting, whether or not it should (although frankly, using that standard doesn't offend me bit). But it never has in the Calder voting (or else I guess Phaneuf should have won in 2006). The difference is simply the difference between the most "valuble"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14427229.post-73444673382892238382008-04-24T19:22:00.000-04:002008-04-24T19:22:00.000-04:00The comment was pretty tongue-in-cheek and aimed a...The comment was pretty tongue-in-cheek and aimed at those who would deny the best player in hockey the MVP award if his goalie had let in a couple more goals on the last night of the season, but to move to the literal, "the Hart Memorial Trophy is an annual award given to the player judged to be the most valuable to his team."<BR/><BR/>Where does it say that value can only be attained by making JPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13144581988817631208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14427229.post-53585599586805785862008-04-24T19:05:00.000-04:002008-04-24T19:05:00.000-04:00The only logical fallacy here is that people can't...The only logical fallacy here is that people can't seem to tell the difference between an MVP award, like the Hart, and a best player award, like the Calder. They are fundmentally different concepts, and the same standards do not apply, and have never applied. I'm particularly disappointed to see that Japers, of all people, is perpetuating that stupid (IMO)question.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14427229.post-9781196436716504712008-04-24T08:31:00.000-04:002008-04-24T08:31:00.000-04:00"(sidenote: if Alex Ovechkin wasn't Hart-worthy if..."(sidenote: if Alex Ovechkin wasn't Hart-worthy if the Caps didn't make the playoffs, why are Pat Kane and Jonathan Toews Calder-worthy?)"<BR/><BR/>In a word: semantics.<BR/><BR/>Because the Hart Trophy goes to the player adjudged most valuable. I still don't see the value in a player that can't lead his team to a post-season that 53% of the league makes, unless it's a Herculean effort (like Hooks Orpikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04043702689071051472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14427229.post-21662405107849944942008-04-24T02:37:00.000-04:002008-04-24T02:37:00.000-04:00Nick has a much better chance of winning than only...Nick has a much better chance of winning than only two other rookies. But he won't. He centered for Ovechkin and that, as well as the points, will seal the deal. Though I like the plus/minus numbers. <BR/><BR/> I'm going against trend here. I'd like to see Backstrom and Semin together because the Russian Bunny needs the guy, while Ovechkin can score with anyone, and Nylander is better than just B8ovinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09221104511492123729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14427229.post-33397187928203595092008-04-24T00:33:00.000-04:002008-04-24T00:33:00.000-04:00Calder candidates are always expected to be with b...Calder candidates are always expected to be with bad teams, which is why Backstrom has no chance at the Calder. Not to mention the fact that a North American hasn't won the award for the past few years. Nicky did an amazing job adjusting to NHL-sized rinks and the North American-style of play that the other 2 didn't have to. But that won't matter. It'll go to the guy with the points (since Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14427229.post-51539226262525696332008-04-23T17:23:00.000-04:002008-04-23T17:23:00.000-04:00I think Backstrom may have opened some eyes in the...I think Backstrom may have opened some eyes in the playoffs, assuming voting hasn't happened yet. I know this is a regular season award, but I also know that writers are lazy and the playoff performance might make them realize that Backstrom isn't just feeding Ovechkin. <BR/><BR/>That said, I think Kane has to win it. I haven't seen the Hawks play but this reminds me of the Crosby-Ovie race. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14427229.post-41621283273961420152008-04-23T17:16:00.000-04:002008-04-23T17:16:00.000-04:00I'm the anon above and thought of one last thing a...I'm the anon above and thought of one last thing about Nicky's season while driving home.<BR/><BR/>Lack of PIM. I'm far too lazy to go to NHL.com and look it up but for a rookie, he didn't seem to be in the bin very often. I can only remember muttering his name once in response to a bad penalty at an inopportune time.<BR/><BR/>Playing on a line with Ovie and not getting frustrated (like our Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14427229.post-49188859817276066372008-04-23T16:47:00.000-04:002008-04-23T16:47:00.000-04:00I'm pumped about Nylander next year. And I would ...I'm pumped about Nylander next year. And I would put Semin with whichever Swedish Senter maximized his performance (probably Bex) and then Ovechkin with the other. <BR/><BR/>I really hope Clark comes back next year. That'd be two great lines.<BR/><BR/>And I think the thing about MVP is the method of defining Value. Many people look at reg season success as a binary variable (playoffs or no).Abhinavhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09829868560243905214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14427229.post-46712135540522557502008-04-23T16:46:00.000-04:002008-04-23T16:46:00.000-04:00I don't think that Nicky will pull it in simply be...I don't think that Nicky will pull it in simply because of the other hardware the Caps are going to bringing home. I have a feeling that voters would like to see an award go outside the org but I definitely feel he deserves it for his play down a stressful stretch.<BR/><BR/>The voters may just look for the points leader and award the Calder to Kane.<BR/><BR/>Regarding next season, keep him on theAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14427229.post-17840066193417983112008-04-23T16:03:00.000-04:002008-04-23T16:03:00.000-04:00I think we can all agree that if Toews was healthy...I think we can all agree that if Toews was healthy all year (and produced at the same rate), he'd probably be a lock, no?<BR/><BR/>The unfortunate thing about Nick's candidacy is that some of his most impressive qualities as a hockey player don't necessarily show up on the stat sheet (though I'm sure Kane and Toews supporters would say similar things about their guys).<BR/><BR/>@ Rob: I think a JPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13144581988817631208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14427229.post-90251598630023718642008-04-23T16:00:00.000-04:002008-04-23T16:00:00.000-04:00B.orr ... Yea, I forgot about Nylander AND chris c...B.orr ... Yea, I forgot about Nylander AND chris clark... maybe I should think before i type :) (though I wish nylander would play more D)<BR/><BR/>I like the lines that please wrote up. Except maybe Laich should be on 1 or 2?Robhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12995046335462388833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14427229.post-53814541439390698902008-04-23T15:56:00.000-04:002008-04-23T15:56:00.000-04:00The adjustment to the NA game was indeed impressiv...The adjustment to the NA game was indeed impressive. Backstrom came in as a 19 year old with a great mind for the game and skill to match. But can you downplay where Kane was playing last year (a rookie in the OHL) to where he ended up this year (leading an NHL team, only 3 points out of the playoffs, in scoring. Also the first Blackhawk rookie to lead his team in scoring since the 30's? Broke Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14427229.post-86044948279809414242008-04-23T15:31:00.000-04:002008-04-23T15:31:00.000-04:00I was gonna say, that was phenomenally well-reason...I was gonna say, that was phenomenally well-reasoned for an anonymouse.JPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13144581988817631208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14427229.post-27487217629691693132008-04-23T15:30:00.000-04:002008-04-23T15:30:00.000-04:00The anonymous post was me. Don't know why that hap...The anonymous post was me. Don't know why that happened.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14427229.post-80311672824699026622008-04-23T15:29:00.000-04:002008-04-23T15:29:00.000-04:00JP, I think you forgot one other reason why he sho...JP, I think you forgot one other reason why he should be the Calder winner: he's not from North America. Not only did he have to leave his homeland and adjust to living in North America but, more importantly, he had to adjust to playing on a smaller rink and to a completely different style of play. Kane and Toews had no such adjustment. Yet despite that, he still managed to finish within a point Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14427229.post-90562201304345869132008-04-23T15:25:00.000-04:002008-04-23T15:25:00.000-04:00OVECHKIN-BACKSTROM-KOZLOVSEMIN-NYLANDER-CLARKCOOKE...OVECHKIN-BACKSTROM-KOZLOV<BR/>SEMIN-NYLANDER-CLARK<BR/>COOKE-FEDOROV-LAICH<BR/>BRASHEAR-STECKEL/GORDON- BRADLEY/FEHR/FLASH<BR/> BOUCHARD/F/A<BR/><BR/>MORISSONN-GREE<BR/>ALZNER-POTI<BR/>F/A-JURCINA/EMINGER/ERSKINE/SCHULTZ<BR/> LEPISTO<BR/><BR/> HUET<BR/> JOHNSON<BR/> NEUVIRTH/VARLAMOV<BR/> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14427229.post-21614164245387060142008-04-23T15:22:00.000-04:002008-04-23T15:22:00.000-04:00a) Chance? Yeah. I don't thank anyone is going to ...a) Chance? Yeah. I don't thank anyone is going to run away with the voting, but I don't think he's gonna win<BR/><BR/>b)Ovie. They were golden together for most of the season.<BR/><BR/>c) Needs to bulk up and play a little more physically, although for such a small guy he's not knocked off the puck easily. Also could work on faceoffs. <BR/><BR/><BR/>Congrats Nicklas! How cool is it that we've hadAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14427229.post-72279468629859199282008-04-23T15:13:00.000-04:002008-04-23T15:13:00.000-04:00@dmg - that is one of Barry Smellrose's positions....@dmg - that is one of Barry Smellrose's positions. It seems logical for both, or neither, if you ask me.~Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17156269870324678164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14427229.post-87089102199089921912008-04-23T15:12:00.002-04:002008-04-23T15:12:00.002-04:00Tough question about next year... I was thinkin ab...Tough question about next year... I was thinkin about it earlier. I think Nicklas belongs for Ovie long term. Maybe center #2 is a FA target (especially a more physical guy)!Robhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12995046335462388833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14427229.post-15192275614449459202008-04-23T15:12:00.001-04:002008-04-23T15:12:00.001-04:00I'd rate (as in likelihood of winning) the candida...I'd rate (as in likelihood of winning) the candidates 1,2,3 in this order: Toews, Backstrom, Kane. Nicky could surprise the world and pull it out, but I'm not betting on it.<BR/><BR/>I'd start Backstrom with Ovy again, but be open to switching if needed. Backstrom is the #1 center of the future, and the future is so much sooner these days. He's shown he can play in this league, with Ovy, so why ~Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17156269870324678164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14427229.post-68848487146278497762008-04-23T15:12:00.000-04:002008-04-23T15:12:00.000-04:00(sidenote: if Alex Ovechkin wasn't Hart-worthy if ...<I>(sidenote: if Alex Ovechkin wasn't Hart-worthy if the Caps didn't make the playoffs, why are Pat Kane and Jonathan Toews Calder-worthy?)</I><BR/><BR/>There's a fallacy that exists in the belief that a player is not MVP worthy if his team doesn't make the playoffs, the logic being (I guess) "How can he be the best player when his team didn't even make the playoffs?" I don't think this attitudeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com