With the injury to last year's MVP Sidney Crosby, the NHL is now on pace to award a new player the coveted prize.
Which players are up for the nod, and who should be considered despite playing for a bad team? Let's take a look.
MVP Winner
Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins
Malkin is my MVP right now. Since Crosby went down with his ankle injury, Malkin finally showed what he could do if he was the main attraction on a very young Penguins team.
His 41 goals and 56 assists are up from his already impressive rookie season, and his 97 points is second overall in the NHL behind Alexander Oveckin.
Malkin has put this team on his back and has shown he is the real deal. He doesn't need Crosby to capitalize on goal scoring.
Since the award usually goes to the player who is most valuable to his team, and to a player whose team made the playoffs, Malkin definitely fits the bill.
Other MVP Nominees
Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
With the injury to Crosby this season, most eyes have been on Oveckin. He has already proven himself to be the purest goal scorer in the NHL today.
His 57 goals and 99 points are both tops in the NHL. Should he get to 60 goals, he will be the first player to do so in a season since fellow Russian Pavel Bure.
Problem is, the Capitals most likely will not make the playoffs, which automatically hurts his chances of winning MVP. If Washington can make a late push and sneak into the playoffs, I believe the award will go from Malkin to Ovechkin, but I don't see Washington sneaking into the playoffs at this point.
Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames
Iginla is perceived among many as the most dominant player in the game today. His pure offensive ability along with his tough guy attitude (he fights a lot for a superstar) are what propel him over Crosby as the most dominant player in the league right now.
He currently ranks third in the NHL in total points with 87. If not for the incredible seasons of Malkin and Ovechkin, Iginla would be a sure-fire MVP.
Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks
No player means more to his team then Luongo does to the Canucks.
Due to Vancouver's lack of offense this season, Luongo has had to do it all. He is seen as the best goalie in the world right now, taking the title from fellow Canadian Martin Brodeur, and I can't argue that at all.
He has 33 wins this year, a 2.25 GAA, .922 save percentage, and six shutouts, all of which rank in the top 10 of NHL Goaltenders.
Luongo may not win MVP of the League, but I think if the Canucks go far in the playoffs and somehow get to the Cup Finals on his back, Luongo will be rewarded with the Con Smythe award.
Other Nominees
Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay Lightning
Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers
Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks
6 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Curtis H about 1 year ago
Its unfortunate that the Capitals might not be making the playoffs, because Ovechkin really does deserve the honors this year, in my opinion. He has shown regularily that he deserves to be classed as one of the NHL's elite. I agree with you that if the Capitals do not make the playoffs, Malkin will get the hardware. Which is not to say that he doesnt deserve it.
Iggy really is a great all around player as well as a stand up guy.....and it took a lot for me to say that. I don't think he will be in contention for the Hart but he still has had an excellent season.
And on to Mr. Luongo. He hasnt had even close to as good of a season as last year, but he is detrimental to my teams success. I felt that he has struggled quite a bit this season, but I also know that he has had a lot more on his plate. His wife has been having complications with pregnancy and that has weighed heavily on his mind...although he wouldnt say that. If we are to make anything out of this years playoffs(thats if we even make it), he is going to have to limit the goals per game to 1 or less.
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Myles Lu about 1 year ago
Nabokov is MVP, Vezina deserving this year. He's been in between the pipes for all but one of the Sharks wins this season. They are in the bottom half of the league in Goals For, so it's not like they outscore everyone. Tied for 3rd in terms of shutouts (6). Number 2 in GAA and playing a 91.1% save rating with the most number of minutes played. The Sharks have an outside chance to taking the Presidents trophy, if not being a close 2nd to the Red Wings.
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Ian Zymarakis about 1 year ago
I agree with you, but if Nabokov wasnt in San Jose I still think they would be a very good team. Thats why I didn't have him in my top 7. I would put him around 9 or 10 if I did a top 10
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Mark Marino about 1 year ago
I agree. If Toskala was in net for the Sharks, I think they'd be just as good. If the Caps squeak-in the payoffs, Ovechkin should be a lock.
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Jason Johnson about 1 year ago
It's really been amazing to see what Malkin has been capable of with the spotlight squarely on him with Crosby out of the line up. Hard to argue with him as MVP with the Penguins battling for tops in the East.
The battle for the Art Ross between himself and Ovechkin has been thrilling as well, and I expect many years of quality hockey from the two of them.
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Jeremy Scott about 1 year ago
Malkin or Ovechkin. It's a Russian-dominated league these days. Ovechkin has the edge for me in pure performance... Malkin in "valuable to his team" status. Should be interesting.
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