Quote:
Originally Posted by FanIn80
Remember when this award used to be about the best defensive forward, instead of the best forward with the best defensive stats?
|
That's in part because the game is played differently than it was in the 90's and early 2000's. If teams have the personnel to do it, the preference is to play a power-on-power type of game. There aren't really many designed 3rd line checking units that match up with the other teams top lines and the ones that do exist are on teams without elite two-way players. The guys who take on the tough roles are simply better players than they were 10-20 years ago.
Teams have realized that playing a strong possession game is a far better option for shutting down the other teams top players than putting out grinders & shot blockers. Darryl Sutter said it best a couple of weeks ago:
“The game’s changed. They think there’s defending in today’s game. Nah, it’s how much you have the puck. Teams that play around in their own zone they think they’re defending but they’re generally getting scored on or taking face-offs and they need a goalie to stand on his head if that’s the way they play.”