Who do you have for the 2017-18 Hart Trophy?

TheGriceBoys

TheGriceBoys

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Interesting and exciting race this year for the Hart.

I honestly can't remember this many worthy candidates in a season in a LONG time, a really long time, like back in the 90's long time.

Just off the top of my head guys I've been thinking are in the hunt are:

Malkin
Kessel
Kucherov
Stamkos
MacKinnon
Giroux
Taylor Hall
Blake Wheeler

Annnnnnnnnnnnd
Jonathan Marchessault :)

Some guys on the bubble but definitely in the discussion IMO are:

Gaudreau
Kopitar
Eric Staal
Marchand
Barkov
Voracek
William Karlsson

Also Sid, McJesus, and Ovie will get their obligatory support and votes though the Oil are awful and McDavid really shouldn't be in the convo.
 
I realize goalies have to stand out exceptionally among their peers, not to mention the skaters, but I believe Pekka Rinne deserves some attention. Without him Nashville definitely doesn't sit at the top of the West and I believe would be a bubble playoff team.

It shows how under the radar the Preds have been (or maybe it's just shows how much of a TEAM they are) that not one of the 20 players you listed comes from the second best team in the league.
 
Matthew Tkachuk = greatest player in the game = Hart Trophy = mic drop.
 
hederman said:
I realize goalies have to stand out exceptionally among their peers, not to mention the skaters, but I believe Pekka Rinne deserves some attention. Without him Nashville definitely doesn't sit at the top of the West and I believe would be a bubble playoff team.

It shows how under the radar the Preds have been (or maybe it's just shows how much of a TEAM they are) that not one of the 20 players you listed comes from the second best team in the league.
Click to expand...

I agree Rinne is the one goalie that should/could be in this convo. But that said, there are SO many skaters having phenomenal years he’ll have to settle for Vezina. ;)

gomaz said:
Matthew Tkachuk = greatest player in the game = Hart Trophy = mic drop.
Click to expand...

Wait, WHAT?!?!?! Lol
 
Blake Wheeler or Frederik Andersen.

IMO Anderson is more valuable to his team than any other goalie. Rinne is having a great year but their team is incredible, Stanley Cup favorites. Mike Smith would get some votes as well if not injured.
 
Here's several guy's who deserve serious, if not at the very least some consideration for the Hart, imo.

Kucherov - Leading the scoring race most of the season, and the top offensive player for an amazing Tampa team that should easily contend for the Cup. His name should be a guarantee on the Hart nomination ballot. I'm guessing he wins it.

MacKinnon - When some were calling him a bust or wondering if he'd live up to potential, he's had a monster season, and even after coming back from an injury he's picked up where he left off. Avs might not make the play-offs, but most valuable to his team he is for sure. He's shown he's the real deal now. I'm glad I took him in my hockey pool. Now whose laughing now, poolies? ;)

Wheeler - He's been the Jets best player this season, and with Scheifele being injured he's stood tall and done exceptionally well. I doubt the Jets would be doing as well without him, mind you they have a lot players doing very well for them also - Hellebyck, Ehlers, Laine, etc. The Jets are a well-balanced team.

Frederik Andersen: I also like the suggestion of Andersen being considered. He's been the Leafs best player this season, imo, without him there's no play-off discussion.

Patrice Bergeron: another Selke is his once again, but I think he is in the conversation, whether he gets a nomination of not, especially if it truly means most valuable to one's team. This guy can do it all. I think his recent injury might effect any chance he might have had though.
 
MacKinnon

This team wouldn't be anywhere near the top without him. If the Oilers were in the playoff picture McDavid would be up there. Both are head and heals above anyone on the team in points/level of playoff.

Disclaimer this is coming from someone who doesn't watch too many games. Just seems whenever I read news headlines McDavid is always performing and when I watch Colorado MacKinnon always is on the scoresheet
 
I keep trying to make a top 3 list and every time I feel I have left two or three guys out that could win. It's going to be a tight race.

My best,

Ken
 
I am still not sure about my 3rd, possibly Barkov, but my top 2 are MacKinnon and Taylor Hall.

The Pens, Bolts, (Kucherov and Malkin have Crosby, Stamkos, Kessel, etc) other teams have tons of players who bolster the lineup, but not those 2. Colorado drops off after it's 1st line and Hall is in a similar boat with a meager supporting cast.

That said, HILARIOUS seeing that Hall for Larsson trade which many of us thought was awful at the time. Guess what? Still awful.

I kind of hope Hall wins Hart just to make Chiarelli look like the turd burglar he is.

http://hobbyinsider.net/forum/showpost.php?p=2386067&postcount=79
 
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Another Leaf win 5-2 while being outshot 40-16. Leafs hanging near the top of the league while Andersen leads the league in shots. I can’t imagine any player more valuable to their team.
 
Everyone is entitled to their opinion lol... and IMO Hall has always been a selfish "me first" type player.
He's had a great year in point production and I still think he is a great player, but McDavid is twice the player not only on the ice, but in the dressing room.

There is a reason Hall was passed over time and time again for captaincy, and why Connor is the youngest player to don that honour on his chest.

As for the trade, people need to get over it. How many trades have we all seen that we wished could never have happened. Chia pet is likely going to be fired at some point and I think is on a short leash now. There's always another trade to be made that can be done right.

TheGriceBoys said:
I am still not sure about my 3rd, possibly Barkov, but my top 2 are MacKinnon and Taylor Hall.

The Pens, Bolts, (Kucherov and Malkin have Crosby, Stamkos, Kessel, etc) other teams have tons of players who bolster the lineup, but not those 2. Colorado drops off after it's 1st line and Hall is in a similar boat with a meager supporting cast.

That said, HILARIOUS seeing that Hall for Larsson trade which many of us thought was awful at the time. Guess what? Still awful.

I kind of hope Hall wins Hart just to make Chiarelli look like the turd burglar he is.

http://hobbyinsider.net/forum/showpost.php?p=2386067&postcount=79
Click to expand...
 
I agree that MacKinnon gets my vote for that exact reason you mentioned.

Runners up from what I've seen this year are Johnny Hockey & McDavid.
All three are consulate professionals and easily the most valuable to their respective teams.

Of course I don't watch every team play on a regular basis, so all those listed in the original post I'm sure are their respective fans top picks for good measure.

Whoever wins the Hart will be deserving of the recognition come this summer.

Avalanchefan21 said:
MacKinnon

This team wouldn't be anywhere near the top without him. If the Oilers were in the playoff picture McDavid would be up there. Both are head and heals above anyone on the team in points/level of playoff.

Disclaimer this is coming from someone who doesn't watch too many games. Just seems whenever I read news headlines McDavid is always performing and when I watch Colorado MacKinnon always is on the scoresheet
Click to expand...
 
Taylor Hall has dragged the Devils into a playoff spot this year and leads the team in scoring by over 30 points. It shouldn't be a conversation.
 
IMO MVP should be league MVP. Who is the most valuable player in the league not to their team. Should be the best player.
 
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From someone who watches Avs games, Mackinnon. The way he has elevated himself, and the players around him isn't even close to what others have done, except maybe Hall.

I think you mentioned it but Stamkos/Kucherov share in Tampa, as well as Kessel/Malkin sharing in PIT, not to mention the other pieces on those teams (Crosby, Vasilevskiy, Hedman, etc.) makes me believe they aren't the "most valuable" to their teams.

McDavid would be in the conversation, but when you put up a boatload of points and your team is still awful, you don't warrant consideration for this award.

Taylor Hall would probably be my #2, guy is on a tear right now and I don't think the Devils are where they are without him.

Ovie - MAYBE? Holtby is having an awful season per his standards, Backstrom & Oshie's points are down, and yet Ovechkin is humming along tied for the league lead in Goals, I don't think the Caps are flirting with playoffs if isn't for him lighting the lamp, but I think there are plenty in the "maybe" category like him.

Also guys like Wheeler got mention (deserving) but no mention of Laine? He is a scoring machine lately. Think the Jets are too well balanced, but he is playing great this season.


Picking a Top 3 is impossible, but put Hall & Mackinnon as my top candidates
 
If I was betting on who wins: If one of COL or NJ makes the playoffs - then MacKinnon or Hall (whomever made it) wins. If both or neither make it, then Ovechkin.
 

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