So lately, I keep hearing about Getzlaf being the front runner for the hart trophy. A lot of discussions on forums, a recent survey conducted by TSN, and many other places - many are liking Getzlaf a lot for hart.
This isn't a Getzlaf-hate thread. I don't dislike him, he's a great player. I just literally do not understand what differentiates him from other top players this year.
As of this posting, he is 8th leading scorer in league. Low goal totals though (more assists than goals). He is +13, which isn't bad per se, but also not extraordinary among other forwards.
Is he having a good year? Sure. But what exactly makes him so much better than Crosby, Malkin, Voracek, Giroux, Kane, Backstorm, Tarasenko, just to name a few of the other top scoring "forwards" alone. This is without even looking at goalies, or defensemen.
Can someone explain?
Voracek, Giroux, and Seguin can pretty much be eliminated if they don't make the playoffs(and this is coming from a Flyers fan). That Leaves Kane, Malkin, Crosby, and Backstrom as the only players with as many, or more points than Getzlaf.
Kane is having an amazing season but his chances will be hurt by the fact that he even his own fanbase thinks he's the second most valuable player on the Hawks and he also isn't always a 200 foot player. He'll definitely get some votes and may be a finalist if he finished with 90+ points.
Crosby is putting up the points but it's widely accepted that he's not playing at his best and most Pens fans would agree that Malkin has been better this season.
Malkin has been great and very consistent but some votes may get split because he and Crosby are on the same team. It also won't help his chances if he missed any significant amount of time with this injury.
Backstrom has been great as well but he'll always be int he shadow of Ovechkin, not that it's right, it's just the way it is. When comparing the two, Getzlaf is a better two-way player, he's the captain of his team, and he also has the same amount of goals and points in 1 less game with a lot more ES points.
Tarasenko is interesting. I'm curious to see what happens if he finishes with 40+ goals and 85ish points. I think a lot of people assume he will cool down a bit at some point, but maybe not, he's looked amazing. Either way, I think he will have to pass Getzlaf in points since Getzlaf is a better two-way player and as much as it doesn't make total sense, Getzlaf is the captain and that holds some weight in how valuable you are to your team.
As for goalies, Rinne is the front runner there and if he misses a significant amount of time, that will hurt his chances. It would also be hard giving it to Price considering most people feel Rinne has been better. For a goalie to win the Hart, it usually has to be an incredible season.
The same can be said about defenseman winning the Hart, it has to be something really special. Unfortunately a lot of the voters look strictly at numbers and defenseman get bypassed. Giordano was talked about a lot early but his scoring has cooled off a bit. If he can finish with 70+ points and Calgary holds on and makes the playoffs, he will certainly gets a lot of votes. If Calgary falls out of the playoff picture, he doesn't have much of a chance. Shattenkirk is another one that will get some consideration but again, I would think he would have to finish with 70+ points to have a chance.
Getzlaf has the most ES/SH points in the NHL. He's played a significant amount of time without Perry and his other wingers have been a bunch of depth forwards stuck on the first line. He's the captain, leader, and best player of the best team in the NHL. He's a two-way player who is still a top scorer. There are a couple other guys that are in the running but I don't think there's a chance he isn't a finalist if he continues to play the way he has.
