You Gotta Have “Heart": Chris Pronger, 2009-10 Hart Trophy Winner?

Written By: Mark “The Hard Hitter” Ritter

The Hart Trophy is the most prestigious individual award in NHL history. It is awarded to the player judged most valuable to his team and, if you are lucky enough to receive the coveted Hart, it all but guarantees a player being inducted into the NHL’s Hockey Hall of Fame.

Originally awarded after the 1923-'24 season, only seven defensemen have won the Hart: Herb Gardiner of the Montreal Canadiens (1926-27), Eddie Shore of the Boston Bruins (1932-33, 1934-35, 1935-36, 1937-38), Ebbie Goodfellow of the Montreal Canadiens (1939-40), Tommy Anderson of the Brooklyn Americans (1941-42), Babe Pratt of the Toronto Maple Leafs (1943-44), Bobby Orr of the Boston Bruins (1969-70, 1970-71, 1971-72), and Chris Pronger of the St. Louis Blues (1999-200).

When you think about the number of high-quality defensemen that have been left off this list—Scott Niedermayer, Al MacInnis, Paul Coffey, and Ray Bourque, to name a few—clearly, it is a monumental accomplishment for a D-Man to make the cut.

At the beginning of the 2009-'10 NHL season, the odds on favorites to win the Hart Trophy were forwards Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby, Pavol Datsyuk, and, to a lesser extent, goaltender Roberto Luongo.

Crosby and Ovechkin are, by all accounts, still in the running. That said, there are a number of players that were off the radar that have impressed thus far, including the likes of, Marian Gaborik (NY Rangers), Anze Kopitar (L.A. Kings), Craig Anderson (Colorado Avalanche), and Pronger (Philadelphia Flyers).

Gaborik has been hot thus far and has made a huge difference in New York. His scoring prowess has propelled the Rangers into fifth overall in the Eastern Conference, a feat that was thought to be next to impossible for the Rangers at the beginning of the season.

As the saying goes, Kopitar, “has arrived.” Leading the NHL with 27 points through 17 games, Kopitar has been huge for the Kings and may very well have them in the playoffs by season’s end.

Anderson has come out of nowhere and, to date, has been the NHL’s best goalie, especially when you consider the players in front of him. Anderson’s 11 wins tie him with San Jose Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov for first overall.

Gaborik, Kopitar, Anderson, Crosby, and Ovechkin have all been impressive, but when I think of the player that has been most valuable to his team thus far, the argument starts and stops with Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger.

Through 14 games with the Flyers, Pronger has amassed three goals, 11 assists for 14 points (third amongst NHL defensemen), an impressive plus/minus rating of plus-11 (fifth amongst all NHL players) and, considering the amount of passion Pronger plays with, his 22 penalty minutes is a very respectable total.

In order to understand why I think Pronger is the leading candidate for the Hart, you have to look beyond the numbers. Like every Hart Trophy recipient, Pronger makes every play around him better. Case in point, Pronger’s defensive partner, Matt Carle, is having a career year and much of his success can be attributed to his playing alongside Pronger.

In 1999-2000, the year Pronger last won the Hart Trophy, Pronger registered 14 goals, 48 assists, for a total of 62 points. His Plus/Minus rating of plus-52 led the NHL that season, a category Pronger may very well need to lead the NHL in again if he is going to beat out the likes of Crosby and Ovechkin for the Hart.

Pronger is an unselfish player. His 39 blocked shots ranks him 13th overall amongst all NHL players, which makes things a little easier for Flyers goalie Ray Emery, who, coincidentally, is having a tremendous comeback season with the Flyers. Don’t think for a minute that Pronger’s presence isn’t helping Emery adjust to his return to the NHL.

Pronger can play at both ends of the ice. His physical prowess and ability to intimidate the opposition is legendary and has been on display all season long. Offensive skills, leadership, physical prowess, ability to intimidate, reputation, and his checking abilities put Pronger in a class all his own. Without a doubt, Pronger is the ultimate D-Man.

In 1999-2000, the year Pronger last won the Hart Trophy, Pronger registered 14 goals, 48 assists, for a total of 62 points. As impressive as his offensive stats were, it was Pronger’s Plus/Minus rating of plus-52, which led the NHL that season, that put him over the top in many people’s minds.

With just 17 hits through 14 games, Pronger has not been dishing out the hurt as much as is to be expected, but, over the course of the season, I am confident that total will rise dramatically, which will only further my argument for Pronger receiving the Hart.

The reality is, it’s still very early in the season, but if Pronger can keep his plus/minus totals up, gets in a few more hits, and keep up his offensive totals, he may very well be able to beat out the likes of Crosby and Ovechkin for the Hart, a monumental achievement, indeed!

The ultimate factor in Pronger’s consideration for the Hart will likely be linked to the Flyers' team success. If Pronger can elevate the Flyers' play enough to stick with or overtake the mighty Pittsburgh Penguins or this year’s “Gucci” team, the Washington Capitals, it will go a long way in swaying the voters to put an “X” beside Pronger’s box when the season expires.

Right now, Pronger has my vote.

Until next time, Peace!