scribe114
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BM67 said:NHL Award and All-star Voting
Looking at Hart voting in the 50's Red Kelly 51 T3rd, 53 3rd, 54 2nd & 56 4th with 135 points, and Doug Harvey 55 5th, 56 5th, 57 5th, & 58 3rd with 87 points. Add in the fact that there were only half as many votes before 54, when the switched to first and second half voting, and it's obvious Kelly doesn't get enough respect as a great defenseman. (Harvey was the runner-up for the Hart in 61 with the NYR.)
Unanimous all-stars:
50-51: Milt Schmidt, C; Red Kelly, D 90 (18-0-0)
51-52: Gordie Howe, RW; Red Kelly, D; Terry Sawchuck 90 (18-0-0)
52-53: Gordie Howe, RW; Red Kelly, D 90 (18-0-0)
57-58: Doug Harvey, D 180 (18-0-0/18-0-0)
Agreed BM67 and when you look at the numbers overall Kelly seems to come out a little better, it's almost a dead heat. Harvey and Kelly broke in the same season 1947-48 and through the 1954-55 season Harvey was not considered to be Kelly's equal as evidenced by the Hart Trophy votings and All-Star selections. Kelly lost some ground in 1955-56 when he spent a great deal of time playing Center/LW to pick up the Wings offense, so the writers could not get a good read on him, hence a 2nd team All-Star selection but he finished ahead of Harvey in the Hart voting
The Norris was not really considered an "offensive" award so Harvey started racking up the Norris Trophies since he drove the train on the Power Play (well deserved) and the rest of the Canadiens defense corps after Bouchard retired became dim shadowy figures with the exeption of Tom Johnson. Kelly seemed to become a victim of his skill-set, play-making distribution in the Detroit offense, the rise of the Habs, and the quality of Defenseman coming into the league who became more important on offense (Johnson, Gadsby, Pronovost, Howell, Pilote)as the game evolved through the rest of the 50's.
Overall I broke Kelly out higher for these reasons.
His overall numbers
Award Shares
How he was really regarded in the context of his time; Kelly was the prototype of the 2-way Defenseman and the best athlete/skater of his era, only Beliveau was considered a better puck-handler.
When Kelly was traded to Toronto the Wings did not win squat for another 40 years Kelly won 4 more cups in Toronto.
When Harvey was traded to the Rangers, the Habs continued to win without him. Harvey never won another cup. (something to think about)
Peak Value (The value of a player at their highest established level of play) Harvey
Career Value ( The value of a player over the course of their career) Kelly
Just my opinion. I will try to do a top 10 Peak Value and Career Value for Defensemen when I get chance.
Did some editing hope it makes a little more sense.
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