http://committedindians.com/jonathan-toews-his-case-for-the-hart-memorial-trophy/

Toews is squarely in the discussion for MVP. Sharp can't approach Toews' all-around game or his leadership qualities.

Posted by mudbone1969 on 3/1/2011 12:10:00 PM (view original):
http://committedindians.com/jonathan-toews-his-case-for-the-hart-memorial-trophy/

Toews is squarely in the discussion for MVP. Sharp can't approach Toews' all-around game or his leadership qualities.

He might be in the discussion but not even close to Stamkos, D. Sedin, Yandle, or Tim Thomas imo.

I like Toews but those other four are definitely a step above him right now. I'm hoping Giroux creeps into the conversation over the next 20 games or so... but its a long shot.

Toews just named NHL's 1st star of the month for February. He's solidly in any Hart discussion.

Andru, only the truly stupid think our goaltending is a weakness. The voters will see how great he has been. No other rookie is close.

Oh, Yandle is nowhere near Toews in any Hart discussion.

Niemi just signed a 4 year extension at 3.8 per...I'm guessing that will put Crawford somewhere in the 2.5 - 3 million range, if he keeps things up and is possibly nominated for the Calder.

As for the Hart, I think my pick (right now), as much as I hate to say it, is Zetterberg, simply because he's carried the Wings on many a night this season, especially considering the injuries they've had, led them to the top (nearly) of their conference and has made everyone around him better while playing in all situations. Sounds alot like what Toews does for the Hawks, but I think team success has to factor in to any Hart discussion which until recently, the Hawks had very little of.

All that being said, alot can happen in 20 games.

Posted by mudbone1969 on 3/1/2011 12:41:00 PM (view original):
Oh, Yandle is nowhere near Toews in any Hart discussion.

jmo and that of many other sports writers - but Yandle has been great this season. He's elevated a so so PHO team to a recent eight game win streak (and a playoff spot most likely) and in doing so he's outscored most of the leagues best forwards in points this season... as a defenseman. I'm not claiming he should win.... I'm simply saying he certainly deserves to be in the running at this point of the season - moreso than Toews.


Toews is only starting to gain ground for the hart trophy in chicago media - not nationally. I just googled "toews 2011 hart trophy" to see if I'm wrong and only committedindians and chicagonow have posted anything about him in the last week. Like I said... I like Toews but he is just starting to get into the Hart Trophy talk.... he'll be there if his line keeps doing what they've been lately.

Whether he's considered or not, I think it's obvious that he can in fact carry a team and should be considered one of the elite players in the NHL. He's also showing us that we have not seen his best just yet.

Posted by andru2797 on 3/1/2011 4:12:00 PM (view original):
Whether he's considered or not, I think it's obvious that he can in fact carry a team and should be considered one of the elite players in the NHL. He's also showing us that we have not seen his best just yet.

agree

They both deserve consideration, but nobody in hockey circles thinks Yandle has a better shot or is more deserving of the Hart than Toews.

Bottom line.... you guys and your hockey circles win. How can I even argue with people so closely connected to the NHL experts.

Posted by moy23 on 3/1/2011 12:26:00 PM (view original):

Posted by mudbone1969 on 3/1/2011 12:10:00 PM (view original):
http://committedindians.com/jonathan-toews-his-case-for-the-hart-memorial-trophy/

Toews is squarely in the discussion for MVP. Sharp can't approach Toews' all-around game or his leadership qualities.

He might be in the discussion but not even close to Stamkos, D. Sedin, Yandle, or Tim Thomas imo.

I like Toews but those other four are definitely a step above him right now. I'm hoping Giroux creeps into the conversation over the next 20 games or so... but its a long shot.

I'd say Thomas alone is a step above all the competition so far this year and it would take a dramatic collapse on his part to lose the Hart at this point.  If Theodore could take the Hart from iginla in 2004 after the year Iginla had, then this year it's a no brainer.  Once Crosby left the stage in January, Thomas has really had no legitimate competition.  Anybody from the Canucks winning would be a joke, because how could you separate, what each of Kesler, Luongo, and both Sedins have done?  Stamkos has hit a wall down the stretch, Yandle is a strong candidate for the Norris, but doesn't do enough to warrant Hart consideration.  Also, until recently I would have included Loui Ericksson from Dallas as a longshot, but with their recent demise, he is removed from the running as well.

Zetterberg has had a strong year, but he has still been getting plenty of help even with the injuries.  Mule has been around all year this year and is a force every time he touches the ice.  Also, Detroit has had that well polished defense around all year this year, with Lidstrom returning to Norris form and leading the way.   I just think that Thomas is the one player who has literally carried his entire team for long stretches, other than Crosby, nd he is the only one of the two who has been around all year.

You forgot to mention Toews. You must know very little about hockey.

I think Thomas is the best as well and barring a major collapse should get the award. Look at Boston's record w/o him and that says it all. Unfortunately a Goalie does not normally win the Hart. Nor a D-Man.

I still like Stamkos - he's just amazing to watch and although he's slowed down a bit he should still top 50 goals (again) and he's scoring at a 19% clip. Tampa as a team is really doing well and watching the games stamkos speed and quick shot is a difference maker.

Both Sedin's have been great as well. Last season was Henrik's year for the Hart - I wouldn't be surprised if Daniel get his this season (64 games, 32 goals, 79 points, 7 gwg, +/- 23). Its not like he wouldn't have earned it.

One surprise candidate could be Ovechkin - I wouldn't write him off just yet. He's won two Hart Trophies in his young career already. Just got his league leading 9th gwg last night and he's been heating it up after an abysmal start to the season. w/o him the caps are fighting for a playoff spot instead of comfortably in the middle of the pack.

I'd only consider Yandle because he has 54 points (more than scorers like Kane, Briere, Backstrom, and Thornton) as a defenseman. He's got his team standing in 4th place in the conf right now. Problem is I never watch him play - and neither does anyone else - so I doubt he gets even close to the Hart Trophy playing for Phoenix. I do think the Norris has already been reserved for him though (barring injury or a major breakdown). Lidstrom is the only real challenger there unless I'm missing someone.

Now now it's not fair to generalize moy.

Yandle has had a very strong year, no doubt, and is likely the Norris front-runner at this point in the season, but I don't think he's quite at the Hart level. He has scored a ton of points anchoring Pheonix's powerplay, but he plays sparingly on the PK and as much as I don't like the statistic, his +/- isn't great. If you think about the defensemen who have won the Hart in the expansion era and the seasons they had, it's really hard to put Yandle in the category of Chris Pronger and Bobby Orr.

The only reason I personally chose Zetterberg (right now) over Thomas is because he's been more consistently good, although Thomas has had stretches that were better than some of Z's. Thomas' last month was just average (4-3, 2.74, .906) while Zetterberg has been remarkably consistent scoring at or above a point a game in every month. Now don't get me wrong they're both fantastic candidates as are Stamkos and D. Sedin, I'm simply justifying my choice. I should also point out that I've seen Zetterberg and Thomas alot more than Sedin or Stamkos this season.

An interesting note: if Daniel wins it, it will be the first time in over 40+ years teammates win the Hart in consecutive years (last to do it were Phil Esposito and Bobby Orr in 69 and 70)