Early Award Favorites

[loki604]

Hey, I know it still feels early in the season, but it's a short one, so I wanted to see what everyone thought about some of the awards thus far. The two that are most interesting to me are the Jack Adams and Norris (but wouldn't mind discussing others that you guys find intriguing).

Jack Adams - It's really hard to not just hand it to Joel Quenneville (at this point obviously). Sure that is a talented squad but their start is insane. However, this is traditionally awarded to teams really exceeding expectations (while I'm sure no one penned Chicago in for the start they are having, they were still expected to be a top team). So Boudreau? Therrien? If Ottawa makes the playoffs with their injury losses, you have to give Paul Maclean another look. This is one of those awards that I think coaches should actually feel honored to be nominated because I feel like I can make a case for four or five coaches every year.

As for the Norris, now that Karlsson is out, it seems pretty wide open. Shattenkirk? I've only seen one Blues game this season, so I'm being a bit of a box score hero with that one, but I've read good things about his play as well. Edler has seemed to impress as well. Part of me wants Paul Martin to somehow sneak in there just for the amazing turnaround he has had this season (being 4th in points for d-men doesn't hurt), but that is obviously just me rooting for a Penguin and a good story.

Thoughts on these awards and others?

 

[dare2be]

Whodathunk after last year's performance that Paul Martin's name would even come up in a discussion (homerism aside ) for the Norris. I've been very critical of him last year so in keeping my bias to a minimum, his turnaround this year has been remarkable.

 

[Darkstone42]

Whodathunk after last year's performance that Paul Martin's name would even come up in a discussion (homerism aside ) for the Norris. I've been very critical of him last year so in keeping my bias to a minimum, his turnaround this year has been remarkable.

He's playing the way we expected him to when we signed him. If he keeps this up, we'll never again have to proclaim "Trade Martin!" almost as loud as Caps fans once proclaimed "Trade Semin!"

The Norris race is going to be interesting. Beauchemin looks very good, too. Letang's having a strong season, Ekman-Larsson's numbers are good (for now), and then there are the players already mentioned, as well as the usual suspects hanging around in striking distance of a nomination.

 

[forty_three]

Can't leave Alex Pietrangelo out of the Norris talk. He's not the top flight scorer like some of the others, but he just doesn't make mistakes.

Ekman-Larsson impressed the hell out of me when the Jackets played the Yotes.

Adams - it's a two horse race between Quennville and McLean right now, IMO.

 

[awaz]

Can't leave Alex Pietrangelo out of the Norris talk. He's not the top flight scorer like some of the others, but he just doesn't make mistakes.

Ekman-Larsson impressed the hell out of me when the Jackets played the Yotes.

Adams - it's a two horse race between Quennville and McLean right now, IMO.

i think you gotta include bodreau in the adams race.. the ducks are 2nd in the league (with 2 games in hand)..they finished 25th last year. actually, if they handed out the awarded today, he should get it hands down IMO

 

[dash]

What about the Calder? Tarasenko has cooled off, Yakupov is a goof, is Jake Allen a rookie?

 

[Darkstone42]

Can't leave Alex Pietrangelo out of the Norris talk. He's not the top flight scorer like some of the others, but he just doesn't make mistakes.

Ekman-Larsson impressed the hell out of me when the Jackets played the Yotes.

Adams - it's a two horse race between Quennville and McLean right now, IMO.

The reason I'm not sold on him as a Norris candidate is because I see the Yotes falling off a bit this year, and I think his numbers will suffer because of it. You know how much the voters like those statistics...

But I've been able to watch him a couple times this year, living in Tucson and all, and he is a good defenseman from what I've seen.

 

[jstewismybastardson]

Jack Adams - It's really hard to not just hand it to Joel Quenneville (at this point obviously). Sure that is a talented squad but their start is insane. However, this is traditionally awarded to teams really exceeding expectations (while I'm sure no one penned Chicago in for the start they are having, they were still expected to be a top team). So Boudreau? Therrien? If Ottawa makes the playoffs with their injury losses, you have to give Paul Maclean another look. This is one of those awards that I think coaches should actually feel honored to be nominated because I feel like I can make a case for four or five coaches every year.

I dont think anyone expected Chicago to lead the league in goals against ... i give it to Coach Q right now even though the hawks have all that offensive skill ... Hes making all the right moves right now ... last night Oduya played 24 minutes and Duncan Keith played only 16 ... thats just scary

 

[evolver115]

What about the Calder? Tarasenko has cooled off, Yakupov is a goof, is Jake Allen a rookie?

cory conacher has 17 pts (7G-10A) I was real impressed with him after watching the Lightning play Pittsburgh on Sunday.

 

[dash]

Thanks evolver, I couldn't remember Conacher's name...Do they still have a team in Tampa Bay?

/yes they do dash, that's the team that beat the Flames in the 2004 SCF.

 

[dare2be]

/Wait, the Flames were in the SCF within the past 10 years?

 

[dash]

/Wait, the Flames were in the SCF within the past 10 years?

I really can't stand smug Penguins fans...

 

[dare2be]

I really can't stand smug Penguins fans...

Sorry, hockey didn't exist for me before 2005.

 

[dash]

Sorry, hockey didn't exist for me before 2005.

Suddenly, it all makes sense

/Back on topic - I like Coach Q for the Adams, that's an impressive streak right out of the gate and with a lockout to boot. MacLean is doing a great job with the Sens with all their injury woes as well.

 

[esls79]

Adams - Q, MacLean and Gabby

Norris - Beauchemin, Oduya, Martin

 

[pixburgher66]

The Norris is interesting for me. Puck Daddy just did a post on this. He had Sid leading for the Hart with Kane close behind (agreed), and Letang leading Norris with Pietroangelo behind. While I agree Letang is having a great year...PaulMart is having the best year of the Pens D. It's not just the vast turn around, he sincerely is oozing confidence. If he plays this way throughout the entirety of the season you can't keep his name out of it. This past week he led the team in points. He's also been great with Orpik...in that he bails out Orpik a lot.

 

[Nasty_Magician]

Slight homer pick, but can Patrik Elias please just get nominated for the Selke?

 

[pixburgher66]

If I were voting based on RIGHT NOW...

Adams-Boudreau
Norris-Paul Martin (no joke people, no joke)
Hart-Pat Kane
Calder- Corey Conacher


The most interesting thing this year is that there's limited (aka no) East/West matchups.

 

[The Q stache]

Adams - Q, MacLean and Gabby

Norris - Beauchemin, Oduya, Martin

He has been the Hawks best Dman all year long I think is presence has helped hjalmarrson return to form, Also he has helped keep Keith and Seabrook's minutes down and their play has improved as well. That said I'll be shocked if hewins seeing as he plays on the 2nd pairing of his own team.

 

[The Q stache]

If I were voting based on RIGHT NOW...

Adams-Boudreau
Norris-Paul Martin (no joke people, no joke)
Hart-Pat Kane
Calder- Corey Conacher


The most interesting thing this year is that there's limited (aka no) East/West matchups.

I like this but I would replace Martin with Alex Pietrangelo.