Blueshirt Banter Discussion: New York Rangers Mid-Season Awards

Hart and Norris – Girardi. Hank has been outstanding…but so has Biron, and I think a lot of that stems from how well the team has played defensively. Girardi leads the league in TOI, most of that EV or on the PK, blocks, against the other team’s best players. Dude wasn’t even drafted, yet made the all-star game for his defensive prowess (which in today’s age of hockey is a feat unto itself.) Gaborik’s been great, but he doesn’t put in anywhere NEAR the workload Girardi does.

Vez – Hank. Biron’s been great as you said, but Hank has stolen a few games (classic).

Selke – I would have went with AA in the first 30 games since a lot of his defensive play led to a lot of the offense Stepan and Gaborik had. But he’s slipped in the past 10 games and got demoted down to the 4th mainly because of his defensive lapses IMO. Probably Boyle at this point, though he’s had a few bad games in the past handful (he was terrible against Ottawa). Centers just have much more responsibility, and considering Boyle is out there almost always against top player, he’s still rocking a +7 on a line that just does not score. That’s impressive, even if +/- isn’t much of a telling that.

Calder – Hagelin, duh. Out of trophies, unless we award the Lady Byng…which I think Avery might finally be nominated for.

give him back the A.

MVP - In my opinion, Lundqvist is by far the team MVP. If he was not on this team, or god forbid ever went town with some kind of injury, this team would not be where it is now in the standings. While I fully acknowledge the teams balance and commitment to the defensive game, Hank has been there time and time again to bail the Rangers out of any lapses in defense the team in front of him commits. No matter how strong a team is defensively, there are going to be breakdowns and that’s why a goalie like Lundqvist is worth his weight in gold. He is there to deny an opposing teams ability to change a game off one or two mistakes that lead to good scoring opportunities.
Norris – Girardi, hands down. Others have played really well like DZ and McDonagh Girardi logs the most minutes every night and raised his game to a new level in the absence of the guy we all assumed was their top Dman (Staal) and stabilized that entire unit. I can make a case for Mcdonagh for the same reasons but think Girardi has had a lot to do with the strides he’s made this season. Though in a sense, the whole group of D deserves acknowledgement and praise to this point. A lot of what this team has done, in particular on D, reminds me a lot of the Devils in their hay day. It seems like no matter who is hurt or who is asked to step up, they always have someone capable of the promotion to the point that the team never skips a beat.

What is Staal looking at in that picture?

Norris isn’t Girardi, at least not as of now

Chara and Alfredsson named ASG captains

It’s King Henrik.

When Glen Sather rebuilt this team, he started from goal-forward. And this team, this season, has been King Henrik’s/ The addition of Richards took pressure off of guys like Boyle and Dubinsky; Gaborik’s resurgance has made AA and Step better; McD and Girardi have answered the bell and even inspired MDZ to play much better (if not his absolute best)…

But, when you look at all of the performances, it’s clearly the season of Henrik Lundqvist, MVP.

My Norris is a tie: Girardi and MDZ. In very tiny pockets, all of the defensemen have had off-games. But these two (IMO) have shined the brightest; if it’s not Girardi blocking shots, it’s MDZ’s new commitment to offense.

Calder (in a walk): Hagelin. And isn’t it interesting that he’s an RFA after next season? Decisions…decisions.

Selke (tie): Callahan and Dubinsky, although, this could go to Stepan as well.

Lady Byng: McD.

Vezina: Really?

Jennings: Really?…Really?

Pearson: Fedetenko. Not on points, but tell me of another guy on this team who is MORE unsung?

Girardi close 2nd then Gabby. But absolutely Hank.

MVP- Girardi has been great but its Hank and has always been Hank.
Norris- Daniel Girardi.
Vezina- Derek Ste just kidding. Hank.

Calder- Haggles.
Lady Bying- Richards or Hank. Both are classy motherfuzzers.
Selke- Anisimov/Callahan.
Jack Adams- Anyone but Sullivan.

Bill Masterton- Gaborik. Not only has he come back from a dreadful year last year, but he lost his best friend in Demitra during the summer and his buddy Boogaard. He has bounced back from great personal loss to become the magnificent player that we all know and love. No contest.

Messier Award- Cally.