Post by McGahee on Jan 12, 2006 21:23:24 GMT -5
Okay, we're a little past the halfway mark of the season, and there's little surprise to who's on top in the conferences. Ottawa and Philly remain the top 2 teams for the umpteenth year and Detroit and Calgary beasting the West. Teams like Buffalo and the Rangers from the East and Nashville from the West have took the league by surprise. Tampa Bay has been a disapointment, along with Pittsburgh and St. Louis.
So, now give your awards for the mid-season
MVP: Jaromir Jagr
After having a couple injury plagued years and slipping as one of the elite players in the league, Jagr has been the centerpiece of the Rangers return to Cup Contention. He's on pace for what I believe is his 5th 100+ point season of his career easily, and has done a much better job distributing the puck more, rather than forcing the shot all the time. The Rangers probably will not win the division, but will definitely pose a threat in the playoffs, and certainly have potential to at least reach the ECF.
Vezina Trophy (Best Goalie)- Manny Legace
Despite being injured for a long duration, Legace is an elite goalie, and IMO, edges out Manny Fernandez and Dominek Hasek. Detroit started strong with Legace between the pipes, but after a bit of struggle due to injury, they got him back and have soared ever since. With Legace in the net, the Redwings have what it takes to win the Cup.
Rookie- Alexander Ovechkin
It's pretty obvious that Ovechkin has out-done Sidney Crosby by a fair margin. Sure Crosby is doing this at the age of only 18 and has more assists, but Ovechkin has caught fire as of late, and should be a 40 goal scorer by the end of the year. Despite his team's struggles, he has still found a way to give fans in Washington hope for the future. However, the way I see it going down is that this is Melo-LBJ hockey-ized, and they'll most likely split the award at the end of the season, despite Ovechkin's better season (Melo-like) but Crosby (LBJ) will possibly have the better career.
Coach of the Year- Lindsey Ruff (biased)
Say what you want, but Buffalo was supposed to be lurking at the bottom of the standings, eying a high pick in the draft. But instead, Buffalo has soared with great goal-tending with shaky lines of skaters. Ruff has taken what little he has had, and used it to create a perenial threat in the Northeast division just 5 points back of 1st place Ottawa. Buffalo has been a surprise indeed, and Ruff deserves credit for turning this horrid team around.
Division Winners
WEST
1. Detroit
2. Dallas
3. Vancouver
EAST
1. Philly
2. Ottawa
3. Carolina
Conference Finals
WEST
Detroit over Calgary in 5
EAST
Philly over Ottawa in 7
Stanley Cup
Philly over Detroit in 7 in what would make a great way to end the season.
So, now give your awards for the mid-season
MVP: Jaromir Jagr
After having a couple injury plagued years and slipping as one of the elite players in the league, Jagr has been the centerpiece of the Rangers return to Cup Contention. He's on pace for what I believe is his 5th 100+ point season of his career easily, and has done a much better job distributing the puck more, rather than forcing the shot all the time. The Rangers probably will not win the division, but will definitely pose a threat in the playoffs, and certainly have potential to at least reach the ECF.
Vezina Trophy (Best Goalie)- Manny Legace
Despite being injured for a long duration, Legace is an elite goalie, and IMO, edges out Manny Fernandez and Dominek Hasek. Detroit started strong with Legace between the pipes, but after a bit of struggle due to injury, they got him back and have soared ever since. With Legace in the net, the Redwings have what it takes to win the Cup.
Rookie- Alexander Ovechkin
It's pretty obvious that Ovechkin has out-done Sidney Crosby by a fair margin. Sure Crosby is doing this at the age of only 18 and has more assists, but Ovechkin has caught fire as of late, and should be a 40 goal scorer by the end of the year. Despite his team's struggles, he has still found a way to give fans in Washington hope for the future. However, the way I see it going down is that this is Melo-LBJ hockey-ized, and they'll most likely split the award at the end of the season, despite Ovechkin's better season (Melo-like) but Crosby (LBJ) will possibly have the better career.
Coach of the Year- Lindsey Ruff (biased)
Say what you want, but Buffalo was supposed to be lurking at the bottom of the standings, eying a high pick in the draft. But instead, Buffalo has soared with great goal-tending with shaky lines of skaters. Ruff has taken what little he has had, and used it to create a perenial threat in the Northeast division just 5 points back of 1st place Ottawa. Buffalo has been a surprise indeed, and Ruff deserves credit for turning this horrid team around.
Division Winners
WEST
1. Detroit
2. Dallas
3. Vancouver
EAST
1. Philly
2. Ottawa
3. Carolina
Conference Finals
WEST
Detroit over Calgary in 5
EAST
Philly over Ottawa in 7
Stanley Cup
Philly over Detroit in 7 in what would make a great way to end the season.
