Why is Getzlaf a favorite for the hart?
- Thread starter bobholly39
- Start date
His team was decimated by injuries this season and he literally carried them on his back during that time. They didn't miss a beat; they kept winning.
With all due respect, this looks like another post from a fan of the east that goes to bed before the puck drops in Anaheim. How many Ducks games have you watched this season?
Quack Shot
Registered User
Ducks have been one of the most injured teams in the league next to Columbus, yet 1st place in the league for the whole first half. If you are going to bring up +/- then you need context. Ducks are 22-0-6 in one goal games and only recently have been winning by multiple goals because the team is now healthy. The Hart is for who is most valuable to their team. Getzlaf might not be better than other players but he fits the definition needed to win the hart.
CraigsList
RIP #13
- Jul 25, 2012
- 42,550
- 39,393
There is more to hockey then goals/assist and +/-.
Ducks lead the league in man games lost(last i checked could be moved down now), Perry has missed a significant amount of time this season, during that time getzlaf was lined up with DSP and Bourque... but kept the ducks a top the nhl despite having 3rd/4th line forwards playing with him(i think he put up 19 points in 13 games).
If you look at goals with getzlaf hes not really a goal scorer, he is a play maker. He has been shooting a little more the last 2 seasons but you most likely wont ever see getzlaf competing for the rocket. He plays in all situations (pp, pk, game on line), relied on to take many key face-offs in dzone and ozone. He prob wont ever be considered for a selke... but he is a damn good defensive center, wins face-offs block shots, hits and makes the right plays when the puck is on his stick.
Short answer:
Ducks have been full of injuries and getzlaf has been the key factor to the team being able to stay #1 in league.
He is the best player on the best team in the league.
Said team lead the league in man games lost all the way up to Christmas.
During the worst of the injuries his production went UP by half a point per game and literally carried the Ducks.
http://www.tsn.ca/rangers-blues-headline-tsn-s-who-s-best-nhl-coaches-survey-1.191758
Said team lead the league in man games lost all the way up to Christmas.
During the worst of the injuries his production went UP by half a point per game and literally carried the Ducks.
http://www.tsn.ca/rangers-blues-headline-tsn-s-who-s-best-nhl-coaches-survey-1.191758
MastuhNinks
Registered User
Even without the injury narrative (which isn't untrue), you could make a pretty good case that Getzlaf's on ice play has been best in the league this season. Getzlaf is doing it all at an elite level and he has the team results to show for it (with a far from stacked roster for much of the season). All the guys ahead of him in scoring are within 3 points, except for Voracek whose team is doing awful and therefore he won't gain any significant Hart consideration.
My question would be what forward ahead of scoring does OP think deserves to be the frontrunner for the Hart?
My question would be what forward ahead of scoring does OP think deserves to be the frontrunner for the Hart?
Terry Yake
Registered User
- Aug 5, 2013
- 28,173
- 16,813
OP clearly hasn't watched any ducks games this season. East coast fan i take it?
watch a ducks game or two and you'll answer your own question
watch a ducks game or two and you'll answer your own question
Romang67
BitterSwede
ayrton2388
Registered User
- May 23, 2014
- 781
- 339
))
SLAPSHOT723
QU! Bobcats!
- Jul 25, 2012
- 42,550
- 39,393
sobrien
RAFFLCOPTER
El Nino 22
Registered User
I think its just that he has played so well while his teammates have been injured. Especially since he played his best hockey while Corey Perry was injured.
When’s the last time a forward won the Hart without finishing Top 5 in points?
Vipers31
Advanced Stagnostic
Well, in addition to everything that's been mentioned already, the Hart isn't just a "best player" kind of thing, it's someone who has an enormous impact on his team. Many people in the hockeysphere still, just before this season, look at the Ducks team on paper and wonder why they're supposed to be that good. None of the defenders are seen as actual stars, and the forwards are seen as Getzlaf, Perry, Kesler and some random dudes. Perry has been out a bit, and as a winger doesn't influence the game at the same level, so the question people are asking themselves is where would this team be without that elite #1C?
The Pens have been without Crosby or Malkin in the past, and didn't fall from the face of the earth. Kane and Tarasenko play on teams with more recognized star names up front that wouldn't be expected to disappear entirely without their current production. Giroux and Voracek obviously have been magic together, and Giroux would IMO be a top candidate for the Hart very much like Getzlaf, but when a team isn't doing well even with those performances, the thinking that creeps in is "eh, most valuable, didn't help them to anything, anyway". Backstrom is an underrated player, and he could deserve more attention, but he's always been in Ovechkin's shadow, so that'll hurt his recognition.
I personally am of the opinion that goalies should get more consideration for this award, and Rinne/Price would have a good case this year to deserve votes, but it's just not the way this award tends to be handled. It's hard enough for a defenseman. Although a guy like Giordano this year could make it near the top if his performances are enough to help the Flames make the cut.
