Malkin shouldn't even be brought up talking about the Hart this year. 7 goals and not playing at last years level.

Tavares isn't at that tier and lets not make Tavares out to being good defensively. He's good but out of the young guys I would rather have Taylor Hall, Nazem Kadri, or Claude Girouix. There is a bunch of players that can easily be put in an argument of being better than him.
- lloyd095

You're nuts on those two... Giroux yes, I like his game a lot. Ive watched every game this year and Tavares isnt the best defensive player but he isnt awful either. He is middle of the pack.

The whole +/- system is off. Crosby/Malkin/Stamkos primarily have +'s because the line they play on takes control of play and pins the other team in their zone and scores... Its not to often that you see either of those guys really bogged down in the defensive zone trying to break up the cycle or block shots (on purpose) Their lines are good enough to get the puck and take the play to the other team. JT plays with Moulson who is a good scorer but he doesnt do it by himself and Boyes, ...

(I know Malkin isnt in the Hart convo but I was just throwing the top names out and someone mentioned him.)

Defensively or just overall you would rather have them?
- Vukota

I'm saying those are all very good up and coming players. Do you think that Tavares is better than them? Girouix to me is one of the best players in the league though his team is struggling. Not even going to say I would rather have them but that decision would be tough for me. Seeing Tavares in that tier more than with Crosby, Toews , and Ovechkin range. Nothing personal against the Isles because of a physical game that happened 2 seasons ago.

I think we all agree that John Tavares is a total bust, and that the Islanders should just replace him by bring Brett Lindros out of retirement. The Penguins should counter this move by forcing Malkin to retire and replacing him in the lineup by bringing back Chris Tamer as a center.

I'm saying those are all very good up and coming players. Do you think that Tavares is better than them? Girouix to me is one of the best players in the league though his team is struggling. Not even going to say I would rather have them but that decision would be tough for me. Seeing Tavares in that tier more than with Crosby, Toews , and Ovechkin range. Nothing personal against the Isles because of a physical game that happened 2 seasons ago.
- lloyd095

Don't you mean an asswhooping?

I'm a Pens fan, and i agree with you. No one will ever be at the level of Gretzky or Lemieux.
- cap1681

Crosby is this era of the NHL's Gretzky. He's so far ahead of the rest of the NHL just like Gretzky was during the 80's. He is on the level of greatness that Gretzky was when he played. He just won't ever put up the points that Gretzky did.

Today's NHL is 10x tougher to play in than the 70's and 80's. I dont mean physical toughness, I mean skill level toughness.

There is No way niemi can be considered the most valuable player to any team.
he went on 5 game losing streak where he horrible, posted an 880 save percentage and a 3.3 GAA. This was the reason for san jose's mini slump they had during the middle of the season.

Had niemi not played this terrible San Jose would be much higher in the standings.
it's funny how eklund says this after niemi just came off a terrible 4-0 loss where niemi played terrible.

Niemi has been amazing when his team wins, but god awful when his team loses.

Hands down though, if niemi didnt have 7 or so games where he played terrible on his record. he'd be the top candidate for the vezina

I don't see the Hart going to anybody else other than Crosby. He was the most dominant player in the NHL before he tried to catch a puck in his mouth and failed. If he wasn't injured, this wouldn't even be a discussion.
- cap1681

The guy on his own team that shot the puck so wide that it hit Sid in the mouth when he was not that close to the net should get the Anti-Hart. If his team mate could hit the net, Sid would still be playing. Watch the video... PATHETIC

Don't you mean an asswhooping?
- Bags502

Are we talking about the 1st game where the Diepitro made an ass of himself and got one punched or the 2nd game where Martin SUCKER punched Talbot and Gillies boarded Tangradi then acted tough?

The guy on his own team that shot the puck so wide that it hit Sid in the mouth when he was not that close to the net should get the Anti-Hart. If his team mate could hit the net, Sid would still be playing. Watch the video... PATHETIC
- Numbers65

Orpik

Crosby is this era of the NHL's Gretzky. He's so far ahead of the rest of the NHL just like Gretzky was during the 80's. He is on the level of greatness that Gretzky was when he played. He just won't ever put up the points that Gretzky did.

Today's NHL is 10x tougher to play in than the 70's and 80's. I dont mean physical toughness, I mean skill level toughness.
- theblueandgold

They also don't have the clutching and grabbing from back then, there are more PP opportunities, and they use composite sticks. Not to mention the dietary and training regimens available today.
Then again, goaltending and equipment has improved, and better defensive schemes are available.

That said, by this point in Gretzky's career (7 seasons, counting the WHA as year #1), he had 2 Cups, 6 Hart Trophies, 5 Art Ross Trophies (tied with Dionne his rookie year), 4 Pearsons, and a Conn Smythe. The comparison just isn't there.

I'm saying those are all very good up and coming players. Do you think that Tavares is better than them? Girouix to me is one of the best players in the league though his team is struggling. Not even going to say I would rather have them but that decision would be tough for me. Seeing Tavares in that tier more than with Crosby, Toews , and Ovechkin range. Nothing personal against the Isles because of a physical game that happened 2 seasons ago.
- lloyd095

Giroux fine. Typing Kadri is in the same class as Tavares would get your hands chopped off if this was Iran. You say its nothing personal but the fact that you even mentioned the brawl game when there was no reason to tells me otherwise, but hey agree to disagree.. Kadri

Are we talking about the 1st game where the Diepitro made an ass of himself and got one punched or the 2nd game where Martin SUCKER punched Talbot and Gillies boarded Tangradi then acted tough?
- lloyd095

Troll!!!

Troll!!!
- jimmc7722

Maybe, but he does raise a valid question.

Maybe, but he does raise a valid question.
- jmatchett383

What question is that?

Giroux fine. Typing Kadri is in the same class as Tavares would get your hands chopped off if this was Iran. You say its nothing personal but the fact that you even mentioned the brawl game when there was no reason to tells me otherwise, but hey agree to disagree.. Kadri
- Vukota

You said in a earlier post that it was personal Well what else would it be? It's not because your team is beating mine on the scoreboard. You guys live off that game like something was achieved that night. Things still look the same to me.

What question is that?
- jimmc7722

Trying to clarify which game it was. Was it the one where Dipietro challenged Johnson to a fight and got 1-punched KO'ed or the one where Martin blindsided Talbot, an AHL callup enforcer fought the goalie, and Parros Lite boarded Tangradi and then yelled at him when he was laying motionless on the ice?

Are we talking about the 1st game where the Diepitro made an ass of himself and got one punched or the 2nd game where Martin SUCKER punched Talbot and Gillies boarded Tangradi then acted tough?
- lloyd095

Yea, the 2nd one where Martin hit Talbot once and then he turtled worse then Trent Hunter did against either Hatcher/Pronger on the Flyers and then he backed off...(Side note: Talbot is a bi tch.)

I have no excuse for Roided up Gillies but if you got the Isles thread from yesterday, there is a nice picture of him working for his new employer... although he is still roided up yelling at people.

I will say one thing tho, Gillies is a tough guy so he wasnt acting. Doesnt make what he did right of course

Yea, the 2nd one where Martin hit Talbot once and then he turtled worse then Trent Hunter did against either Hatcher/Pronger on the Flyers and then he backed off...(Side note: Talbot is a bi tch.)

I have no excuse for Roided up Gillies but if you got the Isles thread from yesterday, there is a nice picture of him working for his new employer... although he is still roided up yelling at people.

I will say one thing tho, Gillies is a tough guy so he wasnt acting. Doesnt make what he did right of course
- Bags502

What did he do wrong?

You said in a earlier post that it was personal Well what else would it be? It's not because your team is beating mine on the scoreboard. You guys live off that game like something was achieved that night. Things still look the same to me.
- lloyd095

You're the one who mentioned the game bro. I can't remember the last time I talked about it. Move on its just hockey

Yea, the 2nd one where Martin hit Talbot once and then he turtled worse then Trent Hunter did against either Hatcher/Pronger on the Flyers and then he backed off...(Side note: Talbot is a bi tch.)

I have no excuse for Roided up Gillies but if you got the Isles thread from yesterday, there is a nice picture of him working for his new employer... although he is still roided up yelling at people.

I will say one thing tho, Gillies is a tough guy so he wasnt acting. Doesnt make what he did right of course
- Bags502

Why even bring it up again? It was two years ago. Who gives a fack.

Malkin shouldn't even be brought up talking about the Hart this year. 7 goals and not playing at last years level.

Tavares isn't at that tier and lets not make Tavares out to being good defensively. He's good but out of the young guys I would rather have Taylor Hall, Nazem Kadri, or Claude Girouix. There is a bunch of players that can easily be put in an argument of being better than him.
- lloyd095

Can you become the new GM of the Penguins?

Can you become the new GM of the Penguins?
- mighty13duck

Why even bring it up again? It was two years ago. Who gives a fack.
- Vukota

Anyone remember that time when those 2 dudes on the Maple Leafs kissed? It was the mid-late 90s, can't remember who they were though.

Why even bring it up again? It was two years ago. Who gives a fack.
- Vukota

Cuz he obviously is still sore about it... just bustin balls brother

Anyone remember that time when those 2 dudes on the Maple Leafs kissed? It was the mid-late 90s, can't remember who they were though.
- jmatchett383

No idea. I remember when Ziggy Palffy kissed Travis Green after a goal it was disturbing