Picking the NHL awards this year won’t be easy. Should make for some interesting lines by the books and the inevitable short odds will offer opportunities by us that bet on them. Just selecting the finalists will be difficult. Take the Vezina for example.
Looking at the goaltending stats this year and you see numerous players that are deserving to be eligible. However at the top of almost every statistical category you find two new names. Pekka Rinne and Steve Mason. They rank number one and two in shutouts, two and three in save percentage, and both in the top 7 of the GAA list. Yet I’m willing to bet neither has a snow balls chance in Las Vegas of being bestowed with the trophy. Nominated, possibly. Win it? No way. Why? The GM’s vote on this award, not the hockey writers. This good old boy club has a history of turning a blind eye to rookies’ accomplishments and always seem to side with the veterans.
The last rookie to win the award was Tommy Barrasso 25 years ago. Only Jim Carey won it earlier than his third season since then. Although in comparing all the numbers between goalies from that year, (1995-96 season), it’s a wonder Chris Osgood didn’t take the trophy home.
My point is if you omit the two rookies from this year all you have left is Tim Thomas. Broduer hasn’t played enough, Nik Backstrom has only won 3 more games than he’s lost, Luongo‘s save percentage and GAA aren’t close to Thomas’. My point is, providing the GM’s don’t do a reverse from a 25 year history, Tim Thomas is a lock for the Vezina.
Heading into tonight’s meeting with the Rangers, Ottawa has won 8 of their last 9. I give them a “A” for heart but “F” for practicality. This winning run means they not only miss the playoffs but will also eliminate any chance to draft John Tavares, Victor Hedman, et al. Only the bottom six teams get into the lottery, Sens now sit at 7<SUP>th </SUP>worst.
Marian Gaborik looks to be back for Minnesota today against Edmonton. Whatever he can contribute will be welcomed by a team that has lost 13 of their last 18 and scored more than 2 goals just 6 times over that period.
“hockey isn't a faucet”
Bruce Boudreau
Looking at the goaltending stats this year and you see numerous players that are deserving to be eligible. However at the top of almost every statistical category you find two new names. Pekka Rinne and Steve Mason. They rank number one and two in shutouts, two and three in save percentage, and both in the top 7 of the GAA list. Yet I’m willing to bet neither has a snow balls chance in Las Vegas of being bestowed with the trophy. Nominated, possibly. Win it? No way. Why? The GM’s vote on this award, not the hockey writers. This good old boy club has a history of turning a blind eye to rookies’ accomplishments and always seem to side with the veterans.
The last rookie to win the award was Tommy Barrasso 25 years ago. Only Jim Carey won it earlier than his third season since then. Although in comparing all the numbers between goalies from that year, (1995-96 season), it’s a wonder Chris Osgood didn’t take the trophy home.
My point is if you omit the two rookies from this year all you have left is Tim Thomas. Broduer hasn’t played enough, Nik Backstrom has only won 3 more games than he’s lost, Luongo‘s save percentage and GAA aren’t close to Thomas’. My point is, providing the GM’s don’t do a reverse from a 25 year history, Tim Thomas is a lock for the Vezina.
Heading into tonight’s meeting with the Rangers, Ottawa has won 8 of their last 9. I give them a “A” for heart but “F” for practicality. This winning run means they not only miss the playoffs but will also eliminate any chance to draft John Tavares, Victor Hedman, et al. Only the bottom six teams get into the lottery, Sens now sit at 7<SUP>th </SUP>worst.
Marian Gaborik looks to be back for Minnesota today against Edmonton. Whatever he can contribute will be welcomed by a team that has lost 13 of their last 18 and scored more than 2 goals just 6 times over that period.
“hockey isn't a faucet”
Bruce Boudreau
