The Final Vote Counts
by J.P. on Jun 23, 2010 9:19 PM EDT
Email
Print
With the hardware handed out, let's take a look at how the voting shook out, by award. Here's the breakdown for each of the awards for which a Cap received at least one vote:
Congrats to all.
60 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
My guess Babcock’s two first place votes were from confused voters who thought the Olympic win was part of the season.
"It hit me on the pants. I had protection. It felt good. Why? I wanted to win."
Very strange. I can see a rationale in voting for him, but first place? Surely it explains the 2 second place votes for Tippett, too. DET-area voters maybe?
I’m not even sure how voters can attempt to justify first place votes for Babcock.
Not surprised, but would have hoped to see Bruce a little higher.
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
Leading a team through adversity. I’m not sure how Tippett didn’t do that to a much greater extent, but the right guy won anyways.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
матовая Клими, Михал нуивирт ваш папа теперь
Red Line Station: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
Follow me on Twitter!
by red army line on Jun 24, 2010 5:36 AM EDT up reply actions
Backstrom got a first place vote for Selke? Mean Lars getting a lot of takeaways.
Caps Snaps - Washington Capitals Photography
Founder of the Eric Fehr Fan Club.
Backstrom got more votes than Jordan Staal IIRC in the PD Blogger awards.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
матовая Клими, Михал нуивирт ваш папа теперь
Red Line Station: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
Follow me on Twitter!
by red army line on Jun 24, 2010 5:36 AM EDT up reply actions
I have to say, I am pretty shocked that Crosby didn’t do better in the Hart voting. Many of the arguments I made in favor of Ovie winning it last season could have gone in favor of him this year. If I had a vote, he might have gotten it, personal grudges aside.
Congrats to Keith. After getting to see him play a lot in the playoffs, I have no issue with him winning the Norris.
I’m okay with this. Sedin had a nice season, although I think it’s fairly certain that without missing 10 games, and with the Art Ross in hand, Ovie would have had another “hat trick”.
Nice Craig Anderson Hart Trophy 1st place vote. Guess they couldn’t decide between the obvious.
Choking since 1985.
Somebody taking most “valuable” player “to his team” a little to literally. I agree that Colorado would have been totally screwed without Anderson, but that says more about the rest of that roster than him.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 23, 2010 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Anderson was clearly the most valuable player to the Avs this season, but was he more valuable to the Avs than Ovechkin was to the Caps, or Sid to the Pens, or Sedin to the Canucks?
There are a lot of folks in the media that equate best player with most valuable player. They’re similar, but they are different.
That said I wouldn’t have voted for Anderson first, or any of the other finalists… I would have voted for Ryan Miller as the most valuable player.
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jun 24, 2010 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions
I was pretty close on my Schultz for Norris over/under line—thought he might pick up a fifth place vote or two and set the line at 4 1/2, I think. Next year, next year.
by bilspacecadet on Jun 23, 2010 9:36 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I was pretty close on my Schultz for Norris over/under line—thought he might pick up a fifth place vote or two and set the line at 4 1/2, I think. Next year, next year.
by bilspacecadet on Jun 23, 2010 9:37 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I want to know who gave Gonchar a second place vote
Aim for the head baby Jesus
by Doncosmic on Jun 24, 2010 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Three people who gave Green votes for Hart?
"Yes, but Rimmer Directive 271 states just as clearly, 'No chance you metal ba****d.'"
He beat out Keith in Hart voting…
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I can’t believe how close Ovi was in the voting for the Hart and how far away Crosby was. 46 – 40 – 20 on the first place votes? Wow.
I look to the future because that's where I'm going to spend the rest of my life.
He was closer than he was for Calder. Watch out, he’s making ground!
I waited all year for this?
by Rob Parker on Jun 23, 2010 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
I wonder if Semin looks at this, compares stats, and … oh, nevermind
by Icebat on Jun 24, 2010 3:30 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Interesting that a 40 goal scorer got no votes for MVP….
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jun 24, 2010 9:38 AM EDT up reply actions
Well with the team he’s on he’s nowhere near the most valuable guy on it, and hasn’t been since that period in 2008 when Ovie started cold and he carried the team. Ovie, Backstrom and Green all have legitimate arguments that they are the most important to the Caps in terms of playing the Caps system, Semin, not so much.
Aim for the head baby Jesus
That picture is rather amazing. Age will do its work, but Ted Lindsay was once one of the most feared men in the game — “Terrible Ted.” He played at about 5’8", 170, though. And there is Alex Ovechkin, the embodiment of the modern player — bigger, faster, stronger, still playing in the same confined space. Any wonder guys get their bells rung so often?
If you've read this far...seek help.
You will be interested to know that Alex Ovechkin, that 100-foot player who can’t be bothered to back check, defend, or do any of that kind of stuff finished 28th in voting for the Selke Award…. that would be ahead of Sidney Crosby (31st)
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jun 24, 2010 7:45 AM EDT reply actions 4 recs
…Thanks to that one doubtlessly DC area voter who gave Ovechkin a first place vote. Uhh yeah.
Also I like Eric Fehr as much as the next guy* but who in their right mind thinks he’s the 2nd best defensive forward in the league?
*As long as that next guy isn’t Boudreau
Voting for Sid or Ovie for the Selke is kinda silly when neither is close to being the best defensive forward on their team… there are probably 3 or 4 forwards better defensively than Ovechkin, and probably the same number better than Crosby.
Objectively, Crosby is probably better defensively than Ovechkin, but realistically, neither Sid or Ovie is out there for their checking skills…
Among the top 10 vote-getters for the Selke, the only one who probably shouldn’t be there is Marleau, although he would be in the next 10. Koivu would get more votes if he didn’t play for a team as anonymous as Minnesota…
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jun 24, 2010 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions
I dispute that. F&B will tell you, I’ve supported Ovechkin defensively a lot — he gets a bad rap because he has some high profile blunders end up in the back of the net. I wouldn’t include AO in my Selke top 5 league wide by any means, but his GA ON/60 speaks for itself.
Disagree strongly with Crosby being anything less than #2 defensive forward on his team. He doesn’t kill many penalties — why risk an injury blocking a shot, and really other guys can do the PK “dirty work” and leave the skill guy fresh for even strength, when he’s more likely to make an impact offensively. That’s just sound strategy.
If you look at the stats Crosby lead the league in faceoffs taken (11th in FO %) and from behind the net we can see Crosby took more defensive faceoffs than any center on his team — and was much, much better at it too. You can’t accurately say Crosby wasn’t good defensively — sure he had some lapses — but he’s as average as youd made it out to be. Perhaps even under-utilized.
So it’s not that Crosby (or Ovechkin for that matter) isn’t deficient defensively, just that it’s better to let them focus their talents on what other guys (Dupuis, Cooke, Bradley, Steckel, etc) can’t in the scoring aspect. Lots of forwards can play good defense, not many can score 50+ goals.
by Hooks Orpik on Jun 24, 2010 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions
I vouch. I’d also add that the same thing applies to Green. People have been trying to rip on him for his QComp and zone starts and what not. But they are ignoring that it’s all BB’s choice, and BB is a coach trying to maximize the output of his players. People can argue that it should be different for a D, but I don’t see the fundamental difference. The Mike Green debate reminds me of listening to Isles/Devils fans talk about Brian Leetch.
I waited all year for this?
Hooks, I never said either was bad defensively. I think Ovie is about average, maybe a little better, while Crosby is clearly a good defensive player. I just think that there are better defensive forwards on both teams. Hell if either Sid or Ovie were the worst defensive forwards on their teams, they’d still be playing like they do (if you thought Caps-Pens games were high scoring now, imagine that…)
Crosby as a defensive forward is very good, but the Penguins last year had some better forwards on the back end: Staal is clearly the best of the lot (Despite what F&B says, he’s a top-notch defensive forward) and despite being an [Avery], Matt Cooke is very good defensively. And don’t sell Kennedy short either…
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jun 24, 2010 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Despite what F&B says, he’s a top-notch defensive forward
I’ve actually always given J. Staal his defensive props. I just didn’t think he was deserving of a Selke this year. I was completely honest when I said he is a lock to win a Selke down the line.
I waited all year for this?
Yeah F&B’s been complimentary of Jordan Staal, especially lately. Hearing him say something nice about big bro Eric, on the other hand…..
by Hooks Orpik on Jun 24, 2010 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions
I guess so Mike. I guess you’d have to rank a guy like Cooke or Dupuis as having a better defensive season than Crosby, since they were used in PK roles a lot. But if it’s the last minute of a tight game, it’s going to be Crosby out there taking that draw, which is why I consider him right up there.
For that matter, “Empty Net Alex” always comes out to play too in the dying minutes of games.
by Hooks Orpik on Jun 24, 2010 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions
I can buy that. Ignore my lower statement.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
by Whiter Mage on Jun 24, 2010 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
No one ever remembers who voted, just who got how many.
Signed.
A. Gore
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jun 24, 2010 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I doubt it’s a DC guy with that vote, because there’s a difference between playing favorites (a Hart vote) and being clueless, which I don’t think any of our beat writers are (and TEB isn’t even allowed to vote by the Post).
"It's always good to have vikings."
The Post may not always have great hockey coverage, but they take responsible journalism seriously
Aim for the head baby Jesus
The only thing wrong with their policy is that if everyone had it, there’d be no one who could vote. And I’d hate for one of our deserving guys to someday lose a vote so close that it could have made a difference (not likely it would ever be that close).
For the unaware, the policy is that no one can vote on an award that can affect a player’s compensation. Because there’s a cash prize (and a bonus in some rookie contracts) attached to the awards, Tarik can’t vote.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Hooks, I like you, but shut up. Ovechkin’s not a bad defensive forward, and hearing “He’s worse at defense than Crosby lol” as a constant reminder is consistently frustrating, given that I’ve watched (what I’d consider) to be a fair amount of both of them, as I wouldn’t give an edge to either.
Never mind, having the two constantly compared is more frustrating.
"Don't mind WM...he's an all-around jerk."
by Whiter Mage on Jun 24, 2010 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I would have thought Alexander Semin would get a vote or two.
Cидни Kросби: Александр Oвечкин, он твой папа теперь
матовая Клими, Михал нуивирт ваш папа теперь
Red Line Station: for Capitals fans who can bear reading something less intelligent than a story at Japers' Rink
Follow me on Twitter!
by red army line on Jun 24, 2010 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Given that writers are only allowed to vote for 5 players at a time for the Hart, it limits the number of players receiving votes.
I would figure most writers probably “spread the wealth” to some degree and their lower ranked valuable players are usually not on the same team as the person getting their number 1 vote.
I consider Semin a very valuable Capital but he’s probably the 3rd or 4th most valuable player on the team. Most would consider him 4th. If a writer is only allowed to vote for a total of 5 players, it is unlikely that they’d vote for the 4th most valuable player on any given team, no matter how good the team or the player happened to be.
Rocking the Red since 1975
Lindsey Award should be a bigger deal
If you asked me who I’d rather have consider me the best player on the planet, my peers or people who make a living writing about me. . . I think I would choose my peers. I know the Hart is the “bigger” stature trophy but that seems odd to me. Unless the Lindsey is perceived as a popularity contest, shouldn’t being perceived as the best by the people who play the game matter most?
Forget about finding your perfect match, I want a website where you can find your perfect arch-nemesis
by Lunatic Fringe on Jun 24, 2010 8:01 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I believe that’s how the players think, but in general awards are press/management driven. Do the other professional leagues even have an equivalent?
"It's always good to have vikings."
NFL has the probowl which is voted on by fans, players, coaches, and I there there is a press component. Where the probowl starts to become a joke though is so many guys turn down playing in the game due to injuries or whatever that you end up with people like Vince Young and Donovan McNabb last year. Also the players playing in the Super Bowl couldn’t play in the probowl, so it was sort of ridiculous how far down the list they went in some positions.
You can make that case, but you can also make the case that with how busy the players are they don’t have time to follow the league as closely as journalists.
Players? Journalists? Hacks!
Bloggers! Now, all we need is a name… The “(insert pithy name of pioneering blogger here) Trophy”
Citation: The (IPNOPBH) Trophy is awarded to that player adjudged the best damn player in the league.
I can see it now… a pedestal of onyx and silver (that iPhone kind of sheen) with a statuette of a person on top, standing in his skates and wearing a helmet, thumbing a message into a mobile device
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jun 24, 2010 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions
Blown Opportunity During Expansion
The NHL has been fighting the trend toward lower scoring games through changes to the rules (enforcing obstruction penalties) and neutral zone. The lower scoring is partly the result of the growing size and athleticism of skaters and goalies. However, the NHL could have gone in a different direction in the 1990s during expansion and the building of several new stadiums. Increasing the size of the rink by a couple of rows all around would have gone a long way toward offsetting the cluttered game that we have today. I also wonder whether or not more open ice would help to reduce the number of head injuries. I could see it going either way: more ice to maneuver and avoid contact; more ice to build up speed during a body check. Personally, I would have loved for the NHL to have mandated slightly larger rinks. I think that this would have put an even greater premium on skating and opened up the game more. While effective, watching Montreal collapse around the goalie and block shots into the stands for a stoppage in play is pretty tedious.
?
Good points about the trajectory of the game since expansion, but this seems like an odd place to make them. . . .am I missing something?
Forget about finding your perfect match, I want a website where you can find your perfect arch-nemesis
by Lunatic Fringe on Jun 24, 2010 8:56 AM EDT up reply actions
My bad…the post got added as a new post instead of as a reply to Peerless’ point about players today being bigger, faster, stronger and the great likelihood that they get their bells rung more often.
gotcha. . . I didn’t see the inital peerless post myself.
Forget about finding your perfect match, I want a website where you can find your perfect arch-nemesis
by Lunatic Fringe on Jun 24, 2010 9:09 AM EDT up reply actions
I disagree. Opening the ice doesn’t necessarily increase offense. It lets players become perimeter players and you see more teams get in the zone and then pass around the outside like a lacrosse game or a soccer game. The added space is more likely to make the game less physical than it is to make the game higher scoring. Teams that want to collapse towards the goal will still do that.
I waited all year for this?
Exactly. You’d expect at least one of the Euro leagues playing on the larger ice to have higher scoring than the NHL, but it’s the exact opposite case. Teams play possession games because if they have the puck, the other team can’t score. Defenses can’t pressure, because there’s too much space on the outside. It’s a good theory, but I think hockey on the smaller ice is actually more interesting.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Jun 24, 2010 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions
A couple of points (not intended as rebuttals): first, I’m not advocating going to an international size rink, but something in between NHL and international. Enough to give today’s larger and more athletic players more room to maneuver. Second, I am not sure that international hockey is a great comparison. Part of the reason that the NHL is more physical is simply becasue that is the type of game that we play; it’s cultural. I am not sure that moving to a bigger rink would take that completely away. Also, while I think some teams might continue to collapse on goal, I don’t see how being able to maneuver and pass in more open space would not help to negate that strategy.
Part of the reason that the NHL is more physical is simply becasue that is the type of game that we play; it’s cultural.
That’s a broad claim that we really can’t even answer here. But I will point out that the size of the rink is an indispensable part of how the culture developed. The smaller ice is just more physical, and there’s no way around that. When you watched the Olympics, played on NHL ice, you saw European teams forced to play more physically. SUI was the best example of a European team making the adjustment. I’m sure that’s not representative of the Swiss Elite league, but they were damn good on the boards and very aggressive. They definitely would not have done that on larger ice because they would have been exposed. The size of the rink was a huge factor in their strategy.
Also, while I think some teams might continue to collapse on goal, I don’t see how being able to maneuver and pass in more open space would not help to negate that strategy.
Because the area they will let you pass around is not an area you can score from. Think about all the talk about MON keeping us to the outside. Even though we had the puck and had a smaller rink (with the attendant better shooting angles) people are saying we couldn’t get the puck where we needed to. Widening the rink just adds more of that ice that isn’t a very good scoring area. The D will still collapse to the net and the slot and you’ll just see more passing around the outside of the zone.
I waited all year for this?
You are right that we can’t prove whether or not physicality is a cultural characterisitc of the game as opposed to a product of ice size/strategy (it’s probably a little bit of both). I just have this gut feeling that if you opened up the NHL rink a bit, it would add to the passing/maneuverability aspect of the game more than than reduce physicality. Just an opinion…can’t be proved/disproved.
Also, I would never point to the Caps as a particularly good passing team to exploit a collapsing defense. They are one of the worst teams at using drop passes and hitting trailing teamates entering the zone. Heck, I don’t think that they do a great job passing cross ice above the dots. I think that part of this is style of play—always charging forward and attacking—and talent. How many Caps are really good passers? Backstrom and Semin are exceptional; Ovechkin is probably underrated; Green and Carlson are probably the best on the rearguard.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Japers' Rink
Related FanShots on Japers' Rink
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recent FanShots
The Vault
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Who are the Non-Smythe candidates for the Devils, Kings?
- End is near for Rick Nash, Blue Jackets as trade discussions set to resume
- Why the Devils and the Kings are evidence the Capitals shouldn’t trade Alex Ovechkin
- Eulogy: Remembering the 2011-12 New York Rangers
- Stanley Cup Final: 5 keys for New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings
