Hart Trophy possibilities

[Mel]

Damien Cox makes the case for these top 10 players to win the Hart Trophy this season...

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?columnist=cox_damien&id=2798268


Daniel Briere, C, Buffalo Sabres
• GP: 68; G: 29; A: 54; Pts: 83; Plus/Minus: +18; PIM: 60.
There are nights you don't notice Briere quite as much as you should, only because the Sabres, the NHL's best offensive team, have more than a few attackers worth watching. But the little big man the Phoenix Coyotes traded away (after failing to give him away on waivers first) is the locomotive that drives Buffalo with his tireless energy and passion.


Martin Brodeur, G, New Jersey Devils
• GP: 66; Record: 41-18-7; GAA: 2.14; SV%: .924; SO: 12.
One suspects the goaltending record book will be torn to shreds by the time Brodeur is finished, and this season he's taken dead aim at Bernie Parent's 33-year-old record for most wins by a netminder in a single season.


Sidney Crosby, C, Pittsburgh Penguins
• GP: 66; G: 29; A: 74; Pts: 103; Plus/Minus: +7; PIM: 54.
You may have heard a little about the player they just call Sid, perhaps even seen him on the odd NHL advertisement. That, needless to say, is just one element of Crosby's extraordinary season. He has achieved so much, not only as a 19-year-old but also while being anointed the league's most important ambassador.


Dany Heatley, LW, Ottawa Senators
• GP: 70; G: 42; A: 48; Pts: 90; Plus/Minus: +26; PIM: 62.
There was a theory about Dany Heatley: His NHL career would top out after being the driver in the car accident that killed Atlanta teammate Dan Snyder and after he suffered a serious eye injury playing in Europe. But the former Badger is proving that theory was ill-placed.


Marian Hossa, LW, Atlanta Thrashers
• GP: 71; G: 40; A: 50; Pts: 90; Plus/Minus: +20; PIM: 47.
Ever since he was traded for Heatley in an August 2005 swap, comparing the Slovakia-born Hossa to his Ottawa counterpart has been a regular pastime for the hockey media.


Paul Kariya, LW, Nashville Predators
• GP: 71; G: 23; A: 48; Pts: 71; Plus/Minus: +10; PIM: 30.
While his numbers don't necessarily fit with the other high rollers in this group, the former Maine Black Bear signaled a new era for the Preds when he was a surprise free-agent signee in the summer of 2005.


Vincent Lecavalier, C, Tampa Bay Lightning
• GP: 71; G: 46; A: 48; Pts: 94; Plus/Minus: Even; PIM: 42.
He's got a movie credit to his name, having played his grandfather's hero Jean Beliveau in the acclaimed film "The Rocket," and he soon may have the trophy named after Maurice "Rocket" Richard to adorn his mantle.


Nicklas Lidstrom, D, Detroit Red Wings
• GP: 70; G: 12; A: 47; Pts: 59; Plus/Minus: +38; PIM: 42.
To some, losing veteran players such as Brendan Shanahan and Steve Yzerman signaled that 2006-07 would be a transition season for the Red Wings. But Lidstrom's brilliance has ensured the Motowners have stayed at or near the top of the West. He has won four of the past five Norris Trophies awarded to the NHL's top defenseman and is the odds-on favorite to win it again.


Roberto Luongo, G, Vancouver Canucks
• GP: 65; Record: 39-20-5; GAA: 2.35; SV%: .920; SO: 3.
For now, last summer's deal that sent Luongo to the Canucks from the Panthers is set to go down as one of the most one-sided in NHL history. While Todd Bertuzzi played only seven games for the Panthers (back surgery) before being traded away to Detroit at the trade deadline, Luongo has been everything to the Canucks this season, justifying the club's decision to make him a $6 million goalie last summer despite the fact he'd never played a postseason game.


Martin St. Louis, RW, Tampa Bay Lightning
• GP: 71; G: 39; A: 53; Pts: 92; Plus/Minus: +3; PIM: 22.
Here's all you need to know about the 2004 Hart Trophy winner. Even with Lecavalier piling up goals and headlines, St. Louis has still been able to again inject himself into the Hart conversation because of how strongly he's bounced back from an "off" season a year ago.

[Mel]

some intriguing names there. If it goes to a goalie, I give Luongo the edge over Brodeur. Brodeur has better numbers, especially the shutouts, but I think Luongo has carried his team more than Brodeur has. Brodeur gets more help with his stats, including that all-important stat WINS - of which he has only 2 more than Luongo's 39.

Lidstrom is an interesting pick. People point out the loss of Shanahan and Yzerman, but they still have some forwards who can play out in Detroit last time I checked. Never the less I wouldn't mind seeing Lidstrom get that Trophy... he's earned it along with all his Norris's.

Forwards, I'm gonna go with the Kid. NHL's top scorer, and now nobody remembers how miserable a team the Pens were pre-Sid, I know they have an infusion of youth... but Crosby's driving this train - still half a year from his 20th birthday - unreal.

I see a lot of Hart's in both his present and future

[charlio lemieux]

As much as would like to say Crosby, or even Lecavalier, it has to be Brodeur. (somewhere PDO is crying :D )

Without Brodeur the Devils are fighting for a playoff spot never mind being at the top of the Eastern Conference.

[Max Power]

My Short list is
Martin Brodeur
Roberto Luongo
Sidney Crosby
Vincent Lecavalier

In that order
I'd be happy if Luango won Hart and Brodeur won Vez because they are both the biggest reason their team is where they are but has this ever happened?

[MadDevil]

As a completely unbiased choice, I'll take Brodeur. To put it simply, he's been amazing for the Devils this season, and has been the #1 reason they are where they are. You could make an argument for Luongo, but I think all the arguments you could make for him you can also make for Brodeur. Choosing either Brodeur or Luongo is basically like splitting hairs. Crosby has had a great season, but I think one of Brodeur or Luongo should win the Hart. That being said, with the way everybody kisses Crosby's ass, it's probably his to lose...

[Mel]

My Short list is
Martin Brodeur
Roberto Luongo
Sidney Crosby
Vincent Lecavalier

In that order
That's pretty much my short list too. I went with Sid because I'm not to keen about goalies winning the Hart. They are already in a key position, and should be judged separately from other players IMHO... so I went with Sid.
I'd be happy if Luango won Hart and Brodeur won Vez because they are both the biggest reason their team is where they are but has this ever happened?
That's a good question, not sure if it ever happened but it would really strike me as strange if a goal tender won the Hart but not the Vezina. The logic would not make any sense. Hart > Vezina.

I think you can make a case for either Brodeur or Luongo. Those are the top 2 easily... what happens down the stretch could determine which of them takes home the Vezina. I don't like either one for Hart though.

[wildboy26]

Crosby will win it I predict. I would probably give it to one of Brodeur and Luongo, but I predict Crosby. All 3 are worthy though. Heck LeCavalier, St. Louis, Briere, Lidstrom, and maybe Kariya, would all be worthy options in other years. Not this year though. This year it absolutely has to be one of the first 3 I mentioned.

[Asterix]

The Hart trophy is not handed out to the best player necessarely, but it's for the player who is the most valuable to his team. So by looking at it that way, the finalists should be Brodeur, Crosby and Luongo and the other nominees all have a great supporting cast.

By simple process of elimination, although he's definately the leader of the young Penguins, Crosby still has Malkin, Stall, Recchi and company with him. So it would be between Brodeur and Luongo... The Devils form a much better team than the Canucks, playing the same system for years now. Without the stellar goaltending from Luongo, that team isn't anywhere close to a playoffs spot, let alone first place in their division! So the Hart trophy should go to Roberto Luongo! :thumb:

[Madferret]

Sidney Heatley will win it. I'm certain.

[Amoroq]

I voted for Brodeur, but I think a strong 2nd has to be Lecalvier. As JL says its about or should be about the most valuable player to his team. Without Vinny who knows where Tampa sits. Vinny won't win because the vote will be split between Vinny and Martin, but we know where the Devils would be if not for Brodeur.

[THE HACK]

The Hart trophy is not handed out to the best player necessarely, but it's for the player who is the most valuable to his team. So by looking at it that way, the finalists should be Brodeur, Crosby and Luongo and the other nominees all have a great supporting cast.

By simple process of elimination, although he's definately the leader of the young Penguins, Crosby still has Malkin, Stall, Recchi and company with him. So it would be between Brodeur and Luongo... The Devils form a much better team than the Canucks, playing the same system for years now. Without the stellar goaltending from Luongo, that team isn't anywhere close to a playoffs spot, let alone first place in their division! So the Hart trophy should go to Roberto Luongo! :thumb:

I agree with the three finalist you have and I think Crosby will win it but if I had a vote it would deinitely go to Roberto Luongo because the Canucks wouldn't even be in the playoffs if not for him.But as usual the Eastern folks who vote don't see this because of the time difference so Luongo is at a disadvantage.

Cheers

[swflyers25]

I have to go with Brodeur. He could break the record held by Bernie Parent for most wins in a season. NJ isn't a team that is known for scoring, they are known for a being a defense first team. He has the ability to win the close games, whether it's a 2-1 game or a shootout. I know, we've had many games with them that were close ones and he was the reason they won't. N doubt he gets the Hart. Sid has done a lot but there was a recent stretch of games where he wasn't scoring but the Pens still went on to win a record number of games. Marty will get it this year.

[Iced Tea]

Until the season is over, I don't have a favourite but what I will say is Luongo coming to the Canucks gives the West Coast some much needed attention in a league where Eastern media could care less about most Western teams.

[TimmyTabasco]

Brodeur is grossly overrated, its a fact..

Luongo should receive consideration, to chants of "Lopuuuuuu"..and no..LL is not in the building at the time

There are 3 candidates

Brodeur, grossly overrated
Luongo, the Italian stallion..amo loves to call him that..especially..nevermind
Crosby, what is there to say? Odd looking little bastid

[Amoroq]

Brodeur is grossly overrated, its a fact..

Luongo should receive consideration, to chants of "Lopuuuuuu"..and no..LL is not in the building at the time

There are 3 candidates

Brodeur, grossly overrated
Luongo, the Italian stallion..amo loves to call him that..especially..nevermind
Crosby, what is there to say? Odd looking little bastid

Pipe down Timmy, soon our jedi powers could be gone and then all I have to do to hurt you is sit on you!

[MadDevil]

Pipe down Timmy, soon our jedi powers could be gone and then all I have to do to hurt you is sit on you!

Timmy's just sucking up to PDO with his Brodeur comments in case it does happen and he needs somewhere else to go...

[Asterix]

I agree with the three finalist you have and I think Crosby will win it but if I had a vote it would deinitely go to Roberto Luongo because the Canucks wouldn't even be in the playoffs if not for him.But as usual the Eastern folks who vote don't see this because of the time difference so Luongo is at a disadvantage.

Cheers
You're probably right about the East-West situation, but Luongo has only been in the West for one season and many remember him as carrying the load for a louzy Florida team, making the All-star game as a Panther...

[Asterix]

I have to go with Brodeur. He could break the record held by Bernie Parent for most wins in a season. NJ isn't a team that is known for scoring, they are known for a being a defense first team. He has the ability to win the close games, whether it's a 2-1 game or a shootout. I know, we've had many games with them that were close ones and he was the reason they won't. N doubt he gets the Hart. Sid has done a lot but there was a recent stretch of games where he wasn't scoring but the Pens still went on to win a record number of games. Marty will get it this year.
If the league was serious, they wouldn't touch Parent's record as there was no OT wins or skills competitions wins (shootouts) in those days... but that's a different topic I guess.

[wildboy26]

I agree with MadDevil that I would give it to one of Luongo or Brodeur, but it will probably go to Crosby. If it were me I would give one of the Hart or Vezina to Luongo and the other to Brodeur, as both deserve an award this year. Let Crosby have the scoring title, he has many Harts in his future.

[LiAmTrAnSdEmOn]

No question in my mind that it's Brodeur. The man is having an absolutely ridiculous year. He pretty much owns all the goaltending stats. He plays in a conference of higher offense, as opposed the defensively minded conference that Luongo plays in, and still manages to one up him in every category. GAA, he trails two part timers in Hasek and Backstrom. Save %, he trails a part timer in Mason and Backstrom again. He leads the league in wins and commandingly leads the league in shutouts. The guy plays almost every night. He's started something like 88 of the last 90 Devils games or something ridiculous. If it weren't for him, the Devils almost certainly wouldn't be in the playoffs, IMO. But instead they do have him and are competing for the conference title. Luongo has certainly helped the Canucks with his arrival in Vancouver and Crosby has in 2 years taken a laughing stock of a team to a playoff team, but both have had more help than Brodeur. Brodeur deserves the Vezina and Hart pretty easily, IMO.

[wildboy26]

I agree on Crosby getting more help but who is the big help Luongo is getting in Vancouver compared to Brodeur in New Jersey? Just curious.

[LiAmTrAnSdEmOn]

I agree on Crosby getting more help but who is the big help Luongo is getting in Vancouver compared to Brodeur in New Jersey? Just curious.

Well besides him being in the more defensive conference(with his team scoring more goals, may I add) as I mentioned in my post, he has the Sedins and Naslund. The Sedins are pretty damn good and while Naslund is having that great of a year, he is still good himself. Brodeur has Gionta, Elias, and Gomez who are all underachieving by a lot and his team has had some injuries(Madden, Gionta, and Elias are all out right now).

[charlio lemieux]

I would take Vancouvers Defense over NJ's any day.

The forwards are a bit of a wash. NJ has more depth but nothing to equal the Sedins. Neither Elias or Naslund seem to be as dangerous with all that money in their pockets.