John Jaeckel: Did Kane Really Deserve the Smythe?

First... start to finish.. I can't decide between Bicks and Crawford. I'll tilt it to Crawford for one reason. Hawks are one and done without him since he was the only one to appear in the Minnesota series. Without that, there's no rounds 2, 3, and 4. That said he was consistent throughout with a bad game here and there but I still think back to that first series. He was a rock through and through. Can't argue though against Bicks.

John Jaeckel: Did Kane Really Deserve the Smythe?
- John Jaeckel

First... start to finish.. I can't decide between Bicks and Crawford. I'll tilt it to Crawford for one reason. Hawks are one and done without him since he was the only one to appear in the Minnesota series. Without that, there's no rounds 2, 3, and 4. That said he was consistent throughout with a bad game here and there but I still think back to that first series. He was a rock through and through. Can't argue though against Bicks.
- golfbard

very sweet argument...look at kane's crucialness. maybe that should count for a lot. a whole ton of everything lot. i love crow, i think he should have got it, but look at and appreciate kane's body of work. especially , upper corner hat trick, to win the series vs the kings.

First... start to finish.. I can't decide between Bicks and Crawford. I'll tilt it to Crawford for one reason. Hawks are one and done without him since he was the only one to appear in the Minnesota series. Without that, there's no rounds 2, 3, and 4. That said he was consistent throughout with a bad game here and there but I still think back to that first series. He was a rock through and through. Can't argue though against Bicks.
- golfbard

Agree with Crawford - most consistent through 23 games - would have been OK with Bickell.

But what a 19-player performance for the tournament: the scorers scored, the defense (including all skaters) defended, unexpected third and fourth line scoring - don't think anyone disappointed throughout the tournament (maybe Leddy, but he's young).

Id have gone with Crawford

very sweet argument...look at kane's crucialness. maybe that should count for a lot. a whole ton of everything lot. i love crow, i think he should have got it, but look at and appreciate kane's body of work. especially , upper corner hat trick, to win the series vs the kings.
- jsabey

I can appreciate Kane for showing up in big games which is very important. To me this award is about interpretation in terms of how you vote. Do you believe in most valuable in big games? Most valuable start to finish? What have you done for me lately? I'm a believer in start to finish which is why I lean towards Craw/Bicks.

John Jaeckel: Did Kane Really Deserve the Smythe?
- John Jaeckel

Didn't Toews win it in 2010 despite only having 1 goal in the entire SCF?
If they wanted to base it solely on the last 1-2 rounds that year, it should have been Keith.

Also, I hope to one day be able to pick apart which Flyer should have won it. You guys are very lucky, and I'm very envious of you guys, but respect them a whole lot.

Lastly: Along the same lines, Brind'Amour should have won it in 2006, but he actually lost it in the SCF as opposed to someone else winning it in the SCF.

John Jaeckel: Did Kane Really Deserve the Smythe?
- John Jaeckel

Tough one. Crawford played pretty damned good. Kane scored some huge goals for the Hawks too. Too me it was a coin flip between the two.

I would have gone with Toews. In the Detroit series when Toews was completely frustrated and becoming unhinged the team was following him to a quick playoff exit. When Toews regained his focus and composure, thanks in large part to Brent Seabrook's leadership, the Hawks became a force and won the cup. Yes Kane, Bickell and Crawford played very well and Toews offensive production was adequate at best, but if Toews doesn't get his head out of his nether regions and play his heart out while demonstrating off the charts leadership, the Hawks do not win the cup, PERIOD!

Didn't Toews win it in 2010 despite only having 1 goal in the entire SCF?
If they wanted to base it solely on the last 1-2 rounds that year, it should have been Keith.

Also, I hope to one day be able to pick apart which Flyer should have won it. You guys are very lucky, and I'm very envious of you guys, but respect them a whole lot.

Lastly: Along the same lines, Brind'Amour should have won it in 2006, but he actually lost it in the SCF as opposed to someone else winning it in the SCF.
- jmatchett383

Roloson lost it in 06 due to injury

I would have gone with Toews. In the Detroit series when Toews was completely frustrated and becoming unhinged the team was following him to a quick playoff exit. When Toews regained his focus and composure, thanks in large part to Brent Seabrook's leadership, the Hawks became a force and won the cup. Yes Kane, Bickell and Crawford played very well and Toews offensive production was adequate at best, but if Toews doesn't get his head out of his nether regions and play his heart out while demonstrating off the charts leadership, the Hawks do not win the cup, PERIOD!
- paulr

If that's the case, wouldn't Seabrook be deserving of the Smythe? From the way you put it, if they don't have Seabrook, then Toews doesn't even have the chance to turn the team around. Kind of like having a beautiful car frame (Toews) but no engine to make it run (Seabrook).

Roloson lost it in 06 due to injury

- OilHorse

He was a candidate for sure. But even before his injury, Brindy was the front-runner going into the SCF, but there's definitely a case for Roloson.

As with any great Cup run the Blackhawks had at least 3-4 people that were worthy of the Smythe. If we're talking about the player who has consistently the best through all 4 rounds I'd have to say it was Crawford.

I agree that Bickell was great, he had amazing series against LA and Minnesota. He was good against Detroit and while his goal in game 6 against Boston was historic his output in this series didn't match the others. Was Bickell more worthy than Kane, yes. Was Bickell more worthy than Crawford, it was close but I'd say no.

I'd rank my choices for the Smythe trophy would be Crawford, Bickell, Sharp, Kane and Keith.

I'm not going to get bent out of shape about who won the Conn Smythe, the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup and that's all that matters.

As with any great Cup run the Blackhawks had at least 3-4 people that were worthy of the Smythe. If we're talking about the player who has consistently the best through all 4 rounds I'd have to say it was Crawford.

I agree that Bickell was great, he had amazing series against LA and Minnesota. He was good against Detroit and while his goal in game 6 against Boston was historic his output in this series didn't match the others. Was Bickell more worthy than Kane, yes. Was Bickell more worthy than Crawford, it was close but I'd say no.

I'd rank my choices for the Smythe trophy would be Crawford, Bickell, Sharp, Kane and Keith.

I'm not going to get bent out of shape about who won the Conn Smythe, the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup and that's all that matters.
- DarthKane

As with any great Cup run the Blackhawks had at least 3-4 people that were worthy of the Smythe. If we're talking about the player who has consistently the best through all 4 rounds I'd have to say it was Crawford.

I agree that Bickell was great, he had amazing series against LA and Minnesota. He was good against Detroit and while his goal in game 6 against Boston was historic his output in this series didn't match the others. Was Bickell more worthy than Kane, yes. Was Bickell more worthy than Crawford, it was close but I'd say no.

I'd rank my choices for the Smythe trophy would be Crawford, Bickell, Sharp, Kane and Keith.

I'm not going to get bent out of shape about who won the Conn Smythe, the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup and that's all that matters.
- DarthKane

i like that assessment. in the face of my kane love but u know what, there were a lot of great players. best conversation we could ever have really.

I'm a Kane fan so I was pushing for him to win. Crawford could have easily won too though.

As with any great Cup run the Blackhawks had at least 3-4 people that were worthy of the Smythe. If we're talking about the player who has consistently the best through all 4 rounds I'd have to say it was Crawford.

I agree that Bickell was great, he had amazing series against LA and Minnesota. He was good against Detroit and while his goal in game 6 against Boston was historic his output in this series didn't match the others. Was Bickell more worthy than Kane, yes. Was Bickell more worthy than Crawford, it was close but I'd say no.

I'd rank my choices for the Smythe trophy would be Crawford, Bickell, Sharp, Kane and Keith.

I'm not going to get bent out of shape about who won the Conn Smythe, the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup and that's all that matters.
- DarthKane

i like that assessment. in the face of my kane love but u know what, there were a lot of great players. best conversation we could ever have really.
- jsabey

The Blackhawks even had some solid output from a lot if their depth guys. Handzus with 11 points (best TDL acquisition), Frolik had 10 points playing only 13 minutes per game (almost 3 minutes of that was short handed), and Shaw had 5 goals including 2 game winners. Kruger and Saad didn't have the offensive output as these other guys but they played really solid too.

Seabrook was great too. 2 GWG, 80 hits (2nd to Bickell), 35 blocked shots (2nd to Oduya).

When looking at the stats one thing that stood out was that Sharp was 4th on the team wit 50 hits. Not that I think Sharp is soft or anything, but that's just a lot more than I would have expected.

He was a candidate for sure. But even before his injury, Brindy was the front-runner going into the SCF, but there's definitely a case for Roloson.
- jmatchett383

If Rolo doesn't get hurt and plays the same as he had in the previous 3 rounds I think either he or Pronger wins the CS in 06. He was lights out and stole most of those games.

John Jaeckel: Did Kane Really Deserve the Smythe?
- John Jaeckel

I really liked Kaner for the Conn Smythe. The decision played right into the marketing agenda of the Blackhawks front office and could you imagine the salary expectations if Bickell had won the Smythe or Crawford's demands in a year had he won it.

Like JJ says, water will find it's level.

Brian Bickell had a good playoffs and he is an emerging star on this team, but will never represent his country in the Olympics and likely never appear in a NHL All-Star gam,e so take the Smythe for what it is: A popularity contest. Hopefully Bickell will use the snub as motivation.

In Crawfords case, I have always felt that in the Stanley Cup playoffs, a team's goaltender has to bail his team out in at least one game every series. In the Minnesota series, he may have done that, but the Blackhawks basically beat their opposition in their sleep and had they been up against the ropes at any time in the series, the Hawks would have risen to the occasion.

In the Wings series, Jimmy Howard outplayed CC by a slight margin and the Hawks got their wake up call mid way through the series and from that point on Crawford only had to be just good enough, and that is what he is. Good enough.

I know 2 things Ayer watching this:

1. Not much makes me cry, watching the hawks win a cup always does.

2. That was much easier on my heart to watch than it was the first time around!


Struck by how great the "role" players were all playoff long. I would've voted Bickell, but I swear to never scream at PK through a tv screen again.

Kane deserved it, not cause of his production which wasnt outstanding but his clutch goals.

I know 2 things Ayer watching this:

1. Not much makes me cry, watching the hawks win a cup always does.

2. That was much easier on my heart to watch than it was the first time around!


Struck by how great the "role" players were all playoff long. I would've voted Bickell, but I swear to never scream at PK through a tv screen again.
- Iknockuout

I can imagine that Game 6 was easier than the 2010 Game 6. Instead of giving up a late lead and having to go into OT, you're probably half counting them to lose Game 6 with a minute and a half to go, and you're preparing for OT when they take the lead. So you only have a 1-minute heart attack as opposed to a 2-hour one.

Kane deserved it, not cause of his production which wasnt outstanding but his clutch goals.
- GOA88