that's entirely different than him "carrying" them to the playoffs.

Bobrovsky should've won hart IMO.
- TheNugeIsHuge

Bob shouldn't have even been nominated for the Vezina as far as I'm concerned. He had a great season, but so did a lot of goalies... especially ones that ACTUALLY MADE THE PLAYOFFS IN A 48 GAME SEASON. I don't think you can be the best goalie if you are sitting on your couch watching round 1.

Ovi is the most valuable player in the league? 20 games in people were asking if this guy was relavant anymore, he doesn't bring his best in big games, he pouts, he only plays a one hundred foot game and I don't think he's the best player on his own team. Scoring doesn't make him the MVP, being the best player in the league does and he isn't the best player in the league ... not even close.
- paulr

Yup he is the best player in the league. The canadian bias is showing. If Ovie had a superstar like Malkin to carry his team when he gets injured, then he wouldn't be an MVP. Crosby gets injured every year. Durability is also a skill. Ovie played with a broken foot in the playoffs. 3 MVP's and 3 Ted Lindsay's. Enough said.

in what way?

goals? points? ppg? sht%? ppp? nope.
all in only a minute more of ice time per game on a much worse team.

but yeah, alex did have a better plus/minus and we all know that's always such a telling stat. I see your point now. galchenyuk is better for sure

ill wager if the oil took galchenyuk first, you'd be sayin yakupov is the better player
- hugefemale dog77

On a team like the Oilers, Gally would be such a better fit. Yakupov is a one dimension scorer. Gally will produce the same number of points as him in the future, but also do it while playing excellent 2 way hockey. The only reason Gally wasn't ranked 1st was cause he missed the year with an injury. And that still didn't keep him from being a top 3 pick. I hate the habs, but they got a steal in Gally. Yakupov is going to be a great scorer. But I would rather have a 2 way scoring machine like Gally. Just my opinion.

On a team like the Oilers, Gally would be such a better fit. Yakupov is a one dimension scorer. Gally will produce the same number of points as him in the future, but also do it while playing excellent 2 way hockey. The only reason Gally wasn't ranked 1st was cause he missed the year with an injury. And that still didn't keep him from being a top 3 pick. I hate the habs, but they got a steal in Gally. Yakupov is going to be a great scorer. But I would rather have a 2 way scoring machine like Gally. Just my opinion.
- Smurfs-A-Joke

Everyone is entitled to their opinion about players but please watch the player first before commenting. Yakupov one dimensional scorer? No.

Yak scored from all over. He goes to the dirty areas to. He hits and back checks. I will be the first to admit his d zone coverage still needs work, but it has grossly improved over the year. Considering he was in Russia first, not unusual to see cheat in his game.

Yakupov has intangibles that you want in a captain as well. The only players that were consistent in effort were yakupov and hall. Every oiler fan will say that. Yak tried to be a difference maker every shift. He is more than a scorer.

I think given yakupovs practice efforts (first on and last off the ice) he can develop towards that type of two way player.

For the record, galchenyuk was a great pick and I enjoy watching him. Only other player I wanted the oilers to take first overall. Please don't let characteristics like "Russian" "winger" make you think 1D scorer.

Also gally played wing. He would probably play wing here too.

Edit: I realize you didn't say Russian winger means he is 1D but I guess media and past Russian players make it come off like that.

Good crop of rookies. I love what Yakupov did this season, but I get that there were lots of solid choices.

Anyone who acts like yakupov a) wasn't making a positive impact when he wasn't scoring and b) gave lacklustre effort at any point this season are sadly misinformed. Okay to not think he's a nominee, but this whole "one-dimensional, invisible" characterization is totally inaccurate.


- Morris

Great post.

Congrats to Huberdeau...just wait till he's playing with MacKinnon. Never been a Florida fan, but I'm looking forward to catching some of their games in the future

Everyone is entitled to their opinion about players but please watch the player first before commenting. Yakupov one dimensional scorer? No.

Yak scored from all over. He goes to the dirty areas to. He hits and back checks. I will be the first to admit his d zone coverage still needs work, but it has grossly improved over the year. Considering he was in Russia first, not unusual to see cheat in his game.

Yakupov has intangibles that you want in a captain as well. The only players that were consistent in effort were yakupov and hall. Every oiler fan will say that. Yak tried to be a difference maker every shift. He is more than a scorer.

I think given yakupovs practice efforts (first on and last off the ice) he can develop towards that type of two way player.

For the record, galchenyuk was a great pick and I enjoy watching him. Only other player I wanted the oilers to take first overall. Please don't let characteristics like "Russian" "winger" make you think 1D scorer.

Also gally played wing. He would probably play wing here too.

Edit: I realize you didn't say Russian winger means he is 1D but I guess media and past Russian players make it come off like that.
- ystoil

I think Taylor Hall would make a great captain. Maybe I just need to watch Yakupov play more. I know he likes hitting, and they compared him to Ovie early in his draft year. And when I say one dimension I mean 1 way. From the few times I've seen Yak play, it doesn't seem like he plays much defense. And maybe that's on the coach since he was a rookie. Trust me I hate it when they stereotype all Russian players. Ovie is my fav player.

Congrats to Huberdeau...just wait till he's playing with MacKinnon. Never been a Florida fan, but I'm looking forward to catching some of their games in the future
- sudburyboy

They have some enticing prospects. Bjusthad is really good too. And Shore as well. They just need to get way better defense. And let Markstrom develop.

I think Taylor Hall would make a great captain. Maybe I just need to watch Yakupov play more. I know he likes hitting, and they compared him to Ovie early in his draft year. And when I say one dimension I mean 1 way. From the few times I've seen Yak play, it doesn't seem like he plays much defense. And maybe that's on the coach since he was a rookie. Trust me I hate it when they stereotype all Russian players. Ovie is my fav player.
- Smurfs-A-Joke

I believe hall will be the next captain as well.

Yak always back checked, was just lost in the d zone but as the year went on it improved. His +\- was brutal at first than steadied, then improved. Although it isn't a great stat.

I wish he had Ovies size . Congrats to ovie on the hart tho.

Gallagher should've won

On a team like the Oilers, Gally would be such a better fit. Yakupov is a one dimension scorer. Gally will produce the same number of points as him in the future, but also do it while playing excellent 2 way hockey. The only reason Gally wasn't ranked 1st was cause he missed the year with an injury. And that still didn't keep him from being a top 3 pick. I hate the habs, but they got a steal in Gally. Yakupov is going to be a great scorer. But I would rather have a 2 way scoring machine like Gally. Just my opinion.
- Smurfs-A-Joke

u clearly don't watch him play

On a team like the Oilers, Gally would be such a better fit. Yakupov is a one dimension scorer. Gally will produce the same number of points as him in the future, but also do it while playing excellent 2 way hockey. The only reason Gally wasn't ranked 1st was cause he missed the year with an injury. And that still didn't keep him from being a top 3 pick. I hate the habs, but they got a steal in Gally. Yakupov is going to be a great scorer. But I would rather have a 2 way scoring machine like Gally. Just my opinion.
- Smurfs-A-Joke

I can see we have another pierre mcguire-lover here. Galchenyuk played the softest minutes of any MTL forward that played more than 26 games. And he lost the possession battle. His OZS was 58.5% and his OZF was 50.4%, he wasn't even pushing the play.

You gotta do your homework before you make uneducated, assuming comments like that based on what you hear hockey panelists say

Galchenyuk was the farthest thing from a 2 way player this year

Bob shouldn't have even been nominated for the Vezina as far as I'm concerned. He had a great season, but so did a lot of goalies... especially ones that ACTUALLY MADE THE PLAYOFFS IN A 48 GAME SEASON. I don't think you can be the best goalie if you are sitting on your couch watching round 1.
- IntotheTeal

A goalie can't single handedly bring someone to the playoffs! No one can!

bob had a .932 (!) on the team that finished last, last year! That's incredible. He definitely deserved the vezina and shoulda won hart. No one in the league was more valuable to their team than bob

A goalie can't single handedly bring someone to the playoffs! No one can!

bob had a .932 (!) on the team that finished last, last year! That's incredible. He definitely deserved the vezina and shoulda won hart. No one in the league was more valuable to their team than bob
- TheNugeIsHuge

I agree 100% if anyone thinks one player can carry a team doesn't watch much hockey. Bob deserved it hands down!

Bob shouldn't have even been nominated for the Vezina as far as I'm concerned. He had a great season, but so did a lot of goalies... especially ones that ACTUALLY MADE THE PLAYOFFS IN A 48 GAME SEASON. I don't think you can be the best goalie if you are sitting on your couch watching round 1.
- IntotheTeal

Was it Bobrovski's fault that Toronto overturned a good goal negating a 2-1 Colorado lead in the final game of the season? If that goal had counted it might have completely turned that game around and Columbus would be in.

It also wasn't Bobrovski's fault that an official misinterpreted a rule in overtime against Nashville, giving the Wild a powerplay they shouldn't have had and a win they may have never gotten otherwise? That also gave Minnesota a point that got them into the playoffs while Columbus sat.

I'm just using those two examples to point out that things happen during the course of a season that have nothing to do with the players on the ice. Bob deserved the Vezina.

Bob shouldn't have even been nominated for the Vezina as far as I'm concerned. He had a great season, but so did a lot of goalies... especially ones that ACTUALLY MADE THE PLAYOFFS IN A 48 GAME SEASON. I don't think you can be the best goalie if you are sitting on your couch watching round 1.
- IntotheTeal

this makes sense for the HART trophy. but certainly not the vezina or the Norris or the calder.
the best is the best regardless of how good your team is

It's not Rookie of the Last Three Games, it's rookie of the Year. Saad was nominated, but blame the "East Coast Bias" if you wish.
- trolleytracks

Good point, just like it should not have been MVP for the last 20 games when Ovi decided to play

3rd in the league in goals? The only elite player without elite line mates?
Pretty sure he carried the team
- Danformo

Exactly, good point

Kessel had a better season than Tavares. Tavares had too much hype. Anyways glad Ovie won. 3 MVP's to Crosby's 1!!! And I know he has a ring. But he can thank Malkin for that who was their MVP in the playoffs. If you are measuring players based on PERSONAL achievements then MVP's matter. Winning a stanley cup is done as a team, not by one player. Ring arguments are always funny. Datsyuk has 2 rings how come none of you say he is better than Crosby? Oh it only matters when Ovie wins right? Haha best player in the game OVIE.
- Smurfs-A-Joke

It takes more than 1 player to win the Cup, Reference Caps history
3 MVPs
0 Cups

Ovi is the most valuable player in the league? 20 games in people were asking if this guy was relavant anymore, he doesn't bring his best in big games, he pouts, he only plays a one hundred foot game and I don't think he's the best player on his own team. Scoring doesn't make him the MVP, being the best player in the league does and he isn't the best player in the league ... not even close.
- paulr

Totally agree, I might hate her, but Sid is the best, not even close

Exactly, good point
- NYI_since_72

they said Tavares made Parenteau good too. Look how he's done without him. Moulson's a great hockey player. One of the more underrated guys in the league. Now when NYI gets Hemsky on the other hand

they said Tavares made Parenteau good too. Look how he's done without him. Moulson's a great hockey player. One of the more underrated guys in the league. Now when NYI gets Hemsky on the other hand
- TheNugeIsHuge

Pa did well because of Duschene. I really like Moulson, but let's face it, who knows what he would be without JT. He is not a great player. Don't know much about hemsky.

Pa did well because of Duschene. I really like Moulson, but let's face it, who knows what he would be without JT. He is not a great player. Don't know much about hemsky.
- NYI_since_72

is moulson a right or left winger? hemsky's a RW. Extremely skilled but victim to injuries and getting pushed down the depth chart thanks to Yak and Eberle. I hope he leaves EDM, not because I don't like him, but I wanna see him thrive somewhere else. He'd fit well in NYI's fast paced style

Pa did well because of Duschene. I really like Moulson, but let's face it, who knows what he would be without JT. He is not a great player. Don't know much about hemsky.
- NYI_since_72

also Parenteau lit up the oilers singlehandedly a lot this year

is moulson a right or left winger? hemsky's a RW. Extremely skilled but victim to injuries and getting pushed down the depth chart thanks to Yak and Eberle. I hope he leaves EDM, not because I don't like him, but I wanna see him thrive somewhere else. He'd fit well in NYI's fast paced style
- TheNugeIsHuge

MOULSON IS A left winger. I think we might be better off with one of our kids, Strome, Niño.....