Hot Stove Player of the Week: Aaron Voros

It’s time to hand out the coveted Hot Stove Player of the Week award. With hockey season in full swing and the Jets and Giants both in action, we had more to choose from this time around. This week’s prize is a complimentary copy of the April edition of AARP magazine. As always, the winner can pick up his prize at his own convenience and expense.

Winner 

Aaron Voros: The Rangers’ new left wing and fan favorite scored three goals and added three assists in four games this week (Hot Stove’s week goes from Friday to Thursday – just because I said so). He was the star of the game in the Blueshirts win over the Devils, when he netted two, assisted on one and bugged the crap out of Martin Brodeur. The former Minnesota Fighting Saint (ok, Wild; does anybody remember the WHA anymore?) came to New York via free agency and has made himself at home on a line with Brandon Dubinsky and Nikolai Zherdev. In fact, he said he would never set foot in Minnesota again and wouldn’t even say the word ‘wild’ in casual conversation (at least that’s how I interpreted his answer when he was asked if he was enjoying his time in New York and replied, “Yes”). His line recorded seven points in the Devils game and also against Chicago on Friday night. Voros already has seven points in six games after only tallying 14 points last year. Will he keep up this pace? Doubtful. But he had a good week. Good enough to earn him the Hot Stove Player of the Week award.

Runners Up 

Brandon Dubinsky: Voros’ linemate had a week that was just as good. He racked up three goals and three assists, too. And he beat up Mike Richards in Philadelphia (during the game, not in the parking lot). I could have gone with Dubinsky as the winner but Voros is the newcomer so we’ll welcome him to New York with the award that he’s always dreamt about winning.

Thomas Jones: The Jets running back scored three touchdowns in their win over Cincinnati. He caught a two-yard TD pass, and rushed for seven- and one-yard scores. He only gained 65 yards (on 17 carries), but getting into the end zone three times is a pretty good day’s work.

Derrick Ward: The Giants backup running back was about the only bright spot for Big Blue on Monday night. He gained 101 yards on only 10 carries and caught a couple of passes to boot. And unlike some of his teammates, his pants didn’t fall down.

Anti-Player of the Week

Eli Manning: Is there a Hot Stove Player of the Week curse already? Last week’s winner threw three interceptions and just looked horrible in the Monday night game against Cleveland. I blame myself.