1. The Purge
Okay, this was funny. I know it's not right and it's not nice to laugh when a slew of people lose their jobs. However the great Maple Leaf Tire Fire, as I will forever remember it, was spectacular. Seeing it go down at the speed of twitter was amusing. Nick Kypreos sent out a tweet basically saying Nonis was about to be fired. The next second it's "Nonis is fired...Horachek too...and Spott...and St. Croix...and the head of player development...and 18 scouts...and Santa isn't real." When it rains it pours. This doesn't give me hope for the Leafs going forward. This does at least reinforce the notion that Shanahan is serious. This was an exhumation on a grand scale. It's easy to be jaded and say this will bring more of the same, just as it's easy to think this is the beginning of sunshine and rainbows. I'm leaning towards the centre-left on this issue, since I've seen it happen time and again. We'll have to wait and see who is chosen to actually sail this Titanic. All I can say is...wow. Have never seen such a gutting before the off-season. Hell, I haven't seen a gutting like this in the off-season...or ever.
Personally I would like to see the Leafs gamble on Julien BriseBois from the Lightning. Without his attention to detail in the minor league system developing talent, the Lightning would be nowhere.
2. The Hart
Here are my three picks. CAREY PRICE, Devan Dubnyk and John Tavares. I'm Ovechkin's number two defender (James Tanner takes me out on that one), but a nomination doesn't mean jack. Carey Price is winning this award. It would be criminal if he didn't. He's also winning the Vezina, so sadly there won't be a section on that here. Price has been the best player in the league consistently. Nobody has scored enough or run away enough with the point race to suggest we make this award designed to go to the "player judged most valuable to his team" be the usual "Art Ross." Price has been the most valuable player for his team and the league. He's had one of the best years ever for a goaltender. It's a common joke not only among fans, but haters and the media, that the Habs are "All Price." So I ask you, if they are truly "All Price," does that not mean he wins the Hart handily? That's really all that needs to be said.
As for Dubnyk and Tavares. Nobody ever remembers the nominees. It doesn't go on your resume. You don't get a ribbon or a plaque or even a thank you now (frank) off handshake. No matter how much you want to read into "underlying numbers," Dubnyk saved the Wild's season. He saved their coaches job. He saved their GM from looking like a moron who just overpaid millions on mediocrity. Hot goaltending can do that. Give him the Masterton and let's see if he wilts into oblivion next season...or the playoffs. As for Tavares. He has a good 35 point lead on the next highest scoring Islander (Okposo). He has 13 more goals than the next Islander (Lee) and his 38 goals is extra impressive since the Islanders only have 3 20+ goal scorers. Would I be sad if Ovechkin got the nomination over Tavares? No. Why? Because the bridesmaids never interest me at weddings, it's all about the bride and that's Price.
3. Mark Stone Stealing the Calder
So I haven't seen a Calder race worth caring about in a long time. This one however was extremely compelling. Forsberg's amazing start. Gaudreau being benched early in the season, only to have him be one of the most exciting players to watch afterwards. Ekblad not only meeting expectations, but exceeding them in one of the best performances by a rookie 18 year old defenseman in history. This random guy named Klingberg showing up scoring at will. Mike Hoffman going from being a guy on waivers one season, to the top goal scoring rookie. Kevin Hayes controversially forsaking the team that drafted him and having one hell of an end to the season. However the biggest surprise has been Stone. At the very last second with the Sens playoff hopes on the line, he not only stole the rookie scoring lead tying Gaudreau at 64, but ends up in second in goals with 26. 50 even strength points. Is the only rookie that played on the penalty kill. Stone ended the season on a 9 game point streak (13p total). He has been ridiculous when the games mattered most. Gaudreau was also very strong down the stretch being a primary reason the Flames made the dance, but it isn't on the same level. Stone wins this in my mind...EAST COAST BIAS AM I RIGHT? GRRR!
4. Rangers Winning the Presidents Trophy
I called it. No really that's it. If you were expecting something pithy I'm afraid you're out of luck. Admittedly I did pick them to win it on the back of a Lundqvist Vezina winning season...
5. Marko Dano and the Jackets Scouting
2013 was a great draft. It was so much fun covering it for HB. One guy I kept seeing being criminally underrated was Marko Dano. He had a lot going against him...more than going for him to be honest. At the current time, there hasn't been a Slovakian trained star since...Gaborik? Keep in mind Tatar hadn't exploded yet. The highest pick since the disaster Zagrapan was Jurco at 35th. He played in the KHL playing only 9 minutes a night, which basically made it hard to get a handle on him. All teams had on him were spectacular international performances and his natural skill set. Getting him at 27 not only seemed to be a steal at the time, but after his performance this season I'm willing to buy it as a steal immediately. He ended the year with 21 points in 35 games. Not too impressive on the surface, until you note that he was sent to the AHL earlier in the season after struggling and has been amazing since his return. Sometimes players truly need time to adapt to a new ice surface. Alexander Wennberg from 2013 is also already in the NHL. I feel kind of bad for him since he's playing a lot of heavy defensive minutes as a rookie and his +/- doesn't do justice to his responsible play. Kerby Rychel is also poised to make it as a full time NHL player. He had 3 points in his 5 game call-up. Heatherington their second round pick had a strong World Junior Championship. Bjorkstrand led the WHL in goals and points including scoring a ridiculous 63 goals in 59 games. All I'm saying is that they had a really good year in 2013.
6. Old Man Jagr
Jagr recently re-signed with the Florida Panthers. He couldn't help them enough to make them a playoff squad, but I still think that was one of the smartest moves at the Trade Deadline. One of the things that has plagued rebuilding teams like Florida historically is the lack of a real veteran leader. I'm not talking about some random player with a lot of mileage on them. I'm talking about a guy like Guerin or Lemieux or LeClair with Crosby and Malkin. A guy like Kozlov with Ovechkin. With those guys, you even wonder if they needed veteran help since all three came into the league at such an elite level. Huberdeau and Barkov needed Jagr. Watching that line down the stretch was heart warming. It clicked in a way that it brings big hope and expectations for next season. 18 points in 20 games from the grizzled vet might be a tad high for next season, however I think him taking those two young guys under his wing is a major difference than say in Edmonton. A guy like Jagr simply commands more respect than say Shawn Horcoff. Love this move. Hope Barkov and Huberdeau can really explode next season.
Thanks for reading. The All-Overrated Team is coming up...I am prepared to be destroyed.