Johnny an MVP finalist (if the Flames make the playoffs)?

[TheScorpion]

Yeah, yeah - the Flames aren't great.

But, should Johnny Hockey lead Calgary to the playoffs - and trust me, he'd be the one to do it - isn't he a viable candidate for league MVP honours?

Hear me out. Johnny leads the Pacific Division in scoring with 49 points in 49 games - a stellar mark for a 22-year-old. The funny thing is, no other Flame is even in the top 15 in that same category, and that's just in the Pacific Division.

Gaudreau's 7th in league scoring. No other Flame is in the top 70. He's certainly not getting any support from the net, either, as the Flames' two goaltenders, Karri Ramo and Jonas Hiller, rank 40th and 61st, respectively, in save percentage among goalies who have played 10 or more games this season. How many goalies have played 10 or more games this season? 61.

The defence won't be able to help Johnny out much, either - Dennis Wideman's gone for 20 games with a suspension, and T.J. Brodie could possibly be out for several weeks following last night's dangerous-looking shot block. Sure, Mark Giordano's as hot as anyone in the league, recently, and Dougie Hamilton's progressing nicely, but who else is there? Kris Russell? He's a 4th defenseman at best, who may be forced to play in the #3 spot for a while, now.

Johnny Gaudreau can lead these Flames to the playoffs, and if he does, the kudos will reside mainly on his back. Sean Monahan's on pace for fewer points than last year, and Jiri Hudler's 6 goals won't win many games down the stretch.

It's up to Gaudreau now, and if he can do it, why can't he at least be a finalist for the Hart?

[MrMike]

Patrick Kanes to lose in my opinion, and while it's possible, I'd rather him start getting hart trophy nominations after his big money contract.

[GranteedEV]

I think Gaudreau is still a clear level below an MVP. Once he starts producing even 70% of what he does at home, on the road though... Watch Out.

[MoreDrank]

Have to think Kane, Erik Karlsson and Braden Holtby have the top 3 locked down, even if what you described happened.

[Geeoff]

He's definitely in the conversation if you're giving it to the player most valuable to his team. That being said, Hart usually goes to the best player and that has been Patrick Kane this year.

[Handsome B. Wonderful]

LOL, no. He doesn't elevate the team.

[Da_Chief]

This isn't the Jack Adams, where just leading a team to a playoff berth gets you the award (like Hartley). This is for leagues best player, which is Kane this year. Gaudreau is not at his level yet.

I wouldn't be surprised if ppl from other boards read some of these ridiculous threads and laugh at Flames fan base. I'm glad most posters who have posted in this thread don't share the OPs view. Just my 2.5 cents.

[FBI]

Agreed he won't win the mvp but yes he certainly DOES elevate the team.

[DoubleK]

Not.even.close

[calgaryblood]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

This isn't the Jack Adams, where just leading a team to a playoff berth gets you the award (like Hartley). This is for leagues best player, which is Kane this year. Gaudreau is not at his level yet.

I wouldn't be surprised if ppl from other boards read some of these ridiculous threads and laugh at Flames fan base. I'm glad most posters who have posted in this thread don't share the OPs view. Just my 2.5 cents.

MVP isn't for leagues best player so if anyone is laughing from other boards it's probably at you.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

MVP isn't for leagues best player so if anyone is laughing from other boards it's probably at you.

Actually, it pretty much is.

It's the most valuable player league-wide OR the most valuable player amongst all players.

How do you do that? By being the best player and having the greatest impact in the ENTIRE league.

It's not just "this player mattered most to his team.," or even then Ekblad (like in the Calder race) would be ahead of Johnny by a long-shot.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

This isn't the Jack Adams, where just leading a team to a playoff berth gets you the award (like Hartley). This is for leagues best player, which is Kane this year. Gaudreau is not at his level yet.

I wouldn't be surprised if ppl from other boards read some of these ridiculous threads and laugh at Flames fan base. I'm glad most posters who have posted in this thread don't share the OPs view. Just my 2.5 cents.

Elliotte Friedman said that in the case of playoffs this season Gaudreau would certainly be in the conversation.

He's 6th in league scoring. In spite of one of the worst PPs in the league (the worst?).

I personally feel that there's no way he'd win it with Kane and Holtby, but your post is pretty ironic given how ridiculous it is to suggest he wouldn't even be in the conversation. Though if you're trolling, I for sure took the bait so congrats.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

MVP isn't for leagues best player so if anyone is laughing from other boards it's probably at you.

So who do you think would win it right now?

I believe it would be Kane....and probably in a landslide. Because he is the league's best player this season.

[JJ1532]

Originally Posted by Handsome B. Wonderful

LOL, no. He doesn't elevate the team.

Green text?

He absolutely elevates this team. He is our leading scorer by a margin of 16 points. Nobody else on our team is capable of doing what he does, not even close. Nobody else can replace him if he were to go down for any period of time. Yeah, guys like Monahan, Bennett, Gio and even Brodie are massively important, but we'd be dead last without Gaudreau.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Actually, it pretty much is.

It's the most valuable player league-wide OR the most valuable player amongst all players.

How do you do that? By being the best player and having the greatest impact in the ENTIRE league.

It's not just "this player mattered most to his team.," or even then Ekblad (like in the Calder race) would be ahead of Johnny by a long-shot.

Right - the Hart is the be-all and the end-all when it comes to determining who is the league's best player. That's why Jose Theodore has had such a legendary career while that Iginla scrub only has 12 goals this year.

[flamesfan1297]

Originally Posted by heep223

Elliotte Friedman said that in the case of playoffs this season Gaudreau would certainly be in the conversation.

He's 6th in league scoring. In spite of one of the worst PPs in the league (the worst?).

I personally feel that there's no way he'd win it with Kane and Holtby, but your post is pretty ironic given how ridiculous it is to suggest he wouldn't even be in the conversation. Though if you're trolling, I for sure took the bait so congrats.

Yes, the worst powerplay

[TheScorpion]

By the way - to all of those suggesting that this award is for the league's best player, then why do separate trophies exist for the MVP and, you know, the league's best player?

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Right - the Hart is the be-all and the end-all when it comes to determining who is the league's best player. That's why Jose Theodore has had such a legendary career while that Iginla scrub only has 12 goals this year.

Sorry, I don't follow. What does that have to do with this season?

[Da_Chief]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

MVP isn't for leagues best player so if anyone is laughing from other boards it's probably at you.

Oh boy....

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

By the way - to all of those suggesting that this award is for the league's best player, then why do separate trophies exist for the MVP and, you know, the league's best player?

What trophies are you referring to? The Hart and.....?