My comments were based on what the announcers said about his play during the whole series versus FLA, not necessarily that one play. I hadn't watch the whole series or even that whole game.

The stat's didn't support what the announcers said about his ice time. But, the stat's do support that he sux defensively - over the past series. For the playoffs - most of the NJ players are + in the +/- column. Kovalchuk stats are a -3, the worst for NJ - that's with his 5points. Which means, the series had 17 goals against for NJ, Kovalchuk was on the ice for 8 of them or about half...
- leon neon

If he scores all his pts on the pp, then he could have been on the ice for only 3 EV goals.

There's zero argument for Stamkos' nomination. His team missed the playoffs. Without him, they still miss the playoffs. Who cares how many goals he scored, he wasn't that valuable because his team did jackpoop.

Even bigger snub than Giroux is Quick. As valuable as Lundqvist was to the Rangers, he won 62% of his games. Marty Biron won 60% and played a quarter of the games.

Without Giroux, the Flyers are likely out of the mix. Without Quick, the Kings are picking in the top 3 at the draft.
- Jsaquella

Thank you, that's the way I always understood it. Granted I didn't think quick was a better pick until you explained it to me the other day but I still don't think Lundqvist, Malkin and Stamkos should get it over the rest. Popularity contest all the way. However I'd rather see Stamkos win it than tweedle dee and tweedle ugly

I didn't see anything in Bill's blog about Kovalchuk not being 100%. Ferraro was between the benches yesterday and said for sure that something's not right with him the past two games. Not carrying the puck or engaging as much as usual. I'm thinking he's got a slight groin pull or something like that.

Yes. And Stamkos. How valuable was any player whose team didn't make the playoffs?
- bodiva88

just like how read has been a more valuable rookie than rnh and landeskog
i don't see them helping carry their teams int he playoffs

just like how read has been a more valuable rookie than rnh and landeskog
i don't see them helping carry their teams int he playoffs
- 2Real

But the Calder isn't a most valuable, it's a best.

And here's a cute thing that just popped up on the Ranger thread.

Not necessarily, but the odds are...
- leon neon

That Florida's speed consistently exposed our slow defense? Yes. Quite accurate.

I didn't see anything in Bill's blog about Kovalchuk not being 100%. Ferraro was between the benches yesterday and said for sure that something's not right with him the past two games. Not carrying the puck or engaging as much as usual. I'm thinking he's got a slight groin pull or something like that.
- rockychocbill

Burry him every chance the Flyers get.

Yes. And Stamkos. How valuable was any player whose team didn't make the playoffs?
- bodiva88

will never understand this line of thinking. it's the player judged to be the most valuable to his team. but because tampa is mostly brutal besides stamkos, that somehow devalues the fact that he scored 25% of his team's goals? i think it makes it more impressive, imo.

just like how read has been a more valuable rookie than rnh and landeskog
i don't see them helping carry their teams int he playoffs
- 2Real

I wish Couturier were given more consideration, myself.

But the Calder isn't a most valuable, it's a best.

And here's a cute thing that just popped up on the Ranger thread.
- bodiva88

the hell is the difference?

That Florida's speed consistently exposed our slow defense? Yes. Quite accurate.
- rmdevil313

I'll be honest I didnt watch much of that series but it seemed to me the only line that did anything against NJ was Versteeg's line. Most goals by the Cats came on the PP.

Burry him every chance the Flyers get.
- stveshdy

Sounds like a job for

Sounds like a job for

- BulliesPhan87

YES SIR!!!!

will never understand this line of thinking. it's the player judged to be the most valuable to his team. but because tampa is mostly brutal besides stamkos, that somehow devalues the fact that he scored 25% of his team's goals? i think it makes it more impressive, imo.
- OrangeBlack27

A particular currency isn't valuable in a country in which it isn't accepted.

But the Calder isn't a most valuable, it's a best.

And here's a cute thing that just popped up on the Ranger thread.


- bodiva88

At least Shanny is embracing the fact that no fan will ever like him.

But the Calder isn't a most valuable, it's a best.

And here's a cute thing that just popped up on the Ranger thread.


- bodiva88

Is that the kid from the cubs fiasco many years ago in rags jersey with Shanahan?
Heh if I was making the money Shanny does I wouldn't care about them signs either, hell I'd even autograph a few of them what the hay.

I'll be honest I didnt watch much of that series but it seemed to me the only line that did anything against NJ was Versteeg's line. Most goals by the Cats came on the PP.
- stveshdy

Their second line was dangerous as well. As a team, Florida is very fast, NJ not so much. If they had the scoring depth the match they would be very dangerous. And for some reason, we couldn;t touch their powerplay. If that trend continues against Philly we won't last.

At least Shanny is embracing the fact that no fan will ever like him.
- rmdevil313

His job is a no win scenario, gotta have a sense of humor about it to stay sane methinks

A particular currency isn't valuable in a country in which it isn't accepted.
- bodiva88

oh

I wish Couturier were given more consideration, myself.
- BulliesPhan87

couturier single handed shut down malkin! how does he not get consideration!

will never understand this line of thinking. it's the player judged to be the most valuable to his team. but because tampa is mostly brutal besides stamkos, that somehow devalues the fact that he scored 25% of his team's goals? i think it makes it more impressive, imo.
- OrangeBlack27

if the team doesn't make the playoffs those goals aren't too valuable

will never understand this line of thinking. it's the player judged to be the most valuable to his team. but because tampa is mostly brutal besides stamkos, that somehow devalues the fact that he scored 25% of his team's goals? i think it makes it more impressive, imo.
- OrangeBlack27

Almost every team has a guy "like" that, in terms of what he means to "their" team. Of course Stamkos is more elite than almost all of them though. Still, you have to draw the line at 3 finalists, so you narrow the criteria to include only those players whose teams have remained competitive all season long. I don't really have a problem with it as long as the finalists are truly deserving. I think they are this season.

Not as relevant with the run and gun series with the Pen's. 26 goals against, with higher total goals you'd expect a higher spread in +/-. Schenn and Simmond accumulated -4/-3 all in one game (3-10). If the games were close (like most in the NJ-FLA series), 1 goal games - then - Yes, they sux too. (Schenn plays with Briere - he's generally the weak link - not Schenn)
- leon neon

Isn't run and gun Hockey the result of a lack of defense and tight checking?

don't get me wrong, i respect the hell out of the flyers and the tools they have...i just think that after taking down pittsburg and seeing they have the horrible crappy worst team to ever skate devils in the next round theyre gonna relax when this series is gonna be nothing like the last...offense vs offense is gonna make the winning team look unbeatable...but defense wins championships and if we can fluster the forwards we will see them fall apart
- Xnightwish

Fans might think this way but I seriously doubt any player does. The Devils had more wins this year than the Flyers and reg seaon matchup was tied 3-3.

I think the Flyers have stepped it up a notch and hope they build off the tremendous defensive performance in game 6 vs Pittsburgh.

will never understand this line of thinking. it's the player judged to be the most valuable to his team. but because tampa is mostly brutal besides stamkos, that somehow devalues the fact that he scored 25% of his team's goals? i think it makes it more impressive, imo.
- OrangeBlack27

Makes sense. It's a regular season award, too, so I don't think that making the playoffs should be considered in the decision. Even so, I think Giroux's two way game was much more valuable than stamkos scoring 60 goals and 25% of his teams goals. Just seems scoring is the driving factor for that award, even though there already is an award for scoring