We are a good month past the mid-season break, and as the playoff picture begins to come full circle, so are the MVP candidates. Here is a list of the top 5 players who The Bench Boss thinks are the best nominees for the Hart Trophy. (Named of course after the legendary Stu Hart, father of Brett and Owen)
1. Alex Ovechkin- How can ‘The Great 8″ not be number one on this list? Ovechkin is far and away the most dangerous player in the game every time he is on the ice, and the fact that he is spearheading the Capitals ascent up the Eastern Conference standings only increases his already great odds at taking home the Hart for a second straight year.
2. Pavel Datsyuk- Datsyuk is quite possibly the best all-around player in the league right now, and with Detroit again the front-runners to win the cup, he might be the only player who has a chance to knock off Ovechkin, and even if he doesn’t win it, Datsyuk will atleast have the distinction of being called “the best hockey player in the world not named Alex Ovechkin)
3. Zdeno Chara- Chara is without question the most physically dominating player in hockey. I truly believe that the Big Z could stay on the ice the entire game, be completely exhausted and still have an impact, as his size, strength and reach gives him the biggest advantage in the defensive zone that perhaps the NHL has ever seen.
4. Zach Parise- Pierre’s McGuire’s all-time favourite draft steal has been nothing short of spectacular all season long. He has been among the league leaders in goals and points the whole year and has established himself as a future team captain with the way the Devils have surged since the great Brodeur went down. Parise’s six game winning goals show his ability to come through when the game is on the line, a true mark of an MVP.
5. Miikka Kiprusoff- this was a close call over teammate Jarome Iginla, but the fact that he plays virtually every game for the Northwest leading Flames gives Kipper the nod. He has been the backbone and calming influence for the Flames all season, and although he will likely not even be nominated, he should still get some consideration.
Just Missing the Cut: Jarome Iginla, Evgeni Malkin, Patrick Marleau, Jeff Carter
**** I chose the picture of The Golden Brett with the Hart because I remember having a hockey card much like that one when I was young, and I remember thinking to myself “now that is a classy fucking hair-cut”
Finally some knowledge.
If Wings surpass San Jose, Datsyuk wins. If not, Washington hands down. Early Conn Smythe nomination: Ty Conklin??
Walking in the prnseece of giants here. Cool thinking all around!
“Washington” = Ovechkin
Also, someone please write about Pierre Maguire’s assault on Scott Gomez in that third period tonight. Or Zherdev’s “pocket full of sunshine”
Third Man Vin, there is no way you actually think that any Detroit Goalie should ever win any award besides the worst goaltending to be on a winning team award (I know that is not an award). Detroit wins because of their puck possession and ability to outscore their opponents, not by their terrible goaltending.