Erik Erlendsson got me thinking again this morning, like he always does.
The talented Tampa Bay Lightning beat writer for The Tampa Tribune is, in my mind, one of the best hockey writers around.
Today’s words of wisdom from Herr Erlendsson deal with how it is getting closer to the end of the NHL’s regular season, and with it, the ever-popular Most Valuable Player award.
Erik seems to think this year’s MVP race has plenty of worthy candidates.
Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby, New Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur, Vancouver netminder Roberto Luongo, Ottawa’s Danny Heatley and Atlanta’s Marian Hossa seem to be tops on the minds of hockey voters.
This is where I start thinking where in the hell are Lightning players Vinny (Lecavalier) and Marty (St. Louis) from this so-called list?
I have been a fan of the sport of hockey since I was a child.
Hockey players have come and gone since I started following this great sport in the 1960s.
But I’ve never seen two players put a team on their shoulders like Vinny and Marty do every night.
Vinny leads the league in goals with 42, and is third in points with 88, while Marty is third in goals (39) and second in points (89). St. Louis leads the league in short-handed points (9) and third in short-handed goals (4), while Lecavalier is second in both short-handed points with 8 and goals with 5.
But on the road is where this dynamic duo shines the most.
They are tied for the league-lead with 51 road points. St. Louis leads in goals on the road (24), while Lecavalier is third (20).
Lightning coach John Tortorella is never afraid to use them when it comes to killing penalties.
My question is…why aren’t they even thought of as potential MVP candidates?
Not because of lack of experience.
St. Louis won the MVP trophy back in 2004 when the Lightning won the Stanley Cup.
Lecavalier was named MVP of the World Cup of Hockey, also in 2004.
But most hockey experts seem to think that when the ballots are tallied and the winner is announced during the awards show in June “Mr. Power Play” as he is called in Pittsburgh, will win the award.
And in a way you can’t blame them for voting for Sir Sid.
He’s helped to take the Penguins somewhere they haven’t had in a long time, the playoffs.
But if one looks closely at his league-leading assist total of 71, one will notice that 40 of them have come via the power play. Crosby has also accounted for 8 power-play goals.
Vinny has been impressive on the power play, scoring 15 goals and 16 assists, while Marty has netted 14 goals and 14 assists.
But you hardly ever see Sid on the ice killing penalties. Crosby also puts in close to the same overall time on the ice as Vinny and Marty.
I always thought another name for the MVP was Most Complete Player.
Am I wrong here?
So when it comes time to vote for the MVP, think MCP.
Thanks for the read.
