I know I ranted a ton about Eric Staal after yesterday's game, but his ridiculous improvement over his 2003-04 totals makes me wonder: Isn't it time for the NHL to have a 'most-improved player award' like the NBA?
by James Mirtle @ 6:15 PM
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A sportswriter at The Globe and Mail, James covers the NHL and the game of hockey. He is a member of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association, a senior editor with McKeen's Hockey and was the NHL network manager at SB Nation from 2008 to 2010. A graduate of Thompson Rivers and Ryerson universities, James grew up in Kamloops, B.C. — one of Canada's great hockey cities — and was a season ticket holder in the Blazers' glory years.
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6 Comments:
Depends. Most improved from last season? Look at the way Selanne's turned things around in Anaheim. Going up 2-0 and shutting out the Avalanche 2 games straight after beating Calgary in 7. He'd be close to getting my vote just because everything I read had him being put out to slaughter.
Really, it would be Staal.
Does Andy McDonald count?
It would be a tough award to figure out until there's some sort of precedent, I guess.
I might like a Norris Trophy and an Orr Trophy (or whatever), to recognize two aspects of playing defense. I think that is sometimes muddled in 'best defenseman'.
This Staal's "contract year", which makes his explosion even more interesting. He'll be restricted, and no club will be in a position to compensate Carolina for him. He will, though, be able to command a very nice salary. Hopefully a very lengthy contract.
If there were a most improved player award, he'd be the hands down winner, but I think Jonathan Cheechoo would get lots of consideration.
What would we call such an award? The Alexandre Daigle Award? Tomas Kabrle Award?
I'd think it would have to be a young(er) guy who hasn't performed at a high level before which leaves out guys like Selanne and Cheechoo - I think Cheechoo had 30 or so last season.
McDonald is a great choice.
Horcoff and Stoll from the Oilers - compare their numbers this season to last.
Justin Williams on the Hurricanes maybe?
Tim Connolly?
Probably Jason Spezza would be my first choice though.
you know, in the nba, the most improved player award almost never goes to a highly touted young guy who becomes a star. it goes to a bottom of the roster guy who establishes himself as an almost all-star-calibre player. sounds like christobal huet to me.
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