Hollweg, Ortmeyer, and Orr have been playing the same as last season. None of them has gotten any better or started to score at all.
Pock hasn't gotten playing time.
So I have to go with Tyutin. Before this season no one knew how good he was going to be, after this season we're all going to consider him a solid #2 or #3 dman.
No Contest. Dan Girardi. The guy went from the ECHL to one of our steadiest defensemen in a year. The rest of those guys at least started the season on the radar. Nobody else took that big a leap forward this year.
No Contest. Dan Girardi. The guy went from the ECHL to one of our steadiest defensemen in a year. The rest of those guys at least started the season on the radar. Nobody else took that big a leap forward this year.
I was really just going by players who have played last season with us and took the biggest step forward, but I added him anyway.
at the end of the season. A month or so ago, it would've been Tyutin, easily. I think he's tailed off a bit and with Hossa surging right now, I'm actually leaning towards Hossa (it's the what have you done for me lately syndrome). In the next 20 games, it could easily change once again, as Hossa can fade away, or Tyutin can return to earlier season form. So I'll wait this one out...
EDIT: I will add that Orr has played quite well in his last several games, from improved skating, to actually hitting people instead of attempting and missing, to getting shots off here and there, and lately, winning fights in a decisive manner. But, he's still a 3-5 minute-per-game guy and really doesn't belong with the rest at this point. And as with the aforementioned, he needs to finish the season.
i can't say Hossa because Toots has been doing it ALL season long. Hossa, in the beginning would finally get a point in a game and people on these boards would say something along the lines of:
"Trade him now that his value is high"
so ye, id have to say Toots. He's been consitent all season long. If I had to say last 15 games or so, then sure, I'd go with Hossa.
ya know you say ortmeyer is teh same as last season. but last season, was he even taking shots and producing scoring chances? not so much. i think his play has improved drastically. and add the fact that he had a pulmonary embolism. this guy has improved not as much as others but it think he makes a case for it. now only if he could finish those scoring chances
Not sure what the point is in doing it now. If Hossa plays the final 20 like he has the last 10 he has my vote.
The point of it is to see what everybody's opinion is right now with more then 2/3 of the season over. Hossa has been playing good hockey all season, not just the last 10 games.
Feel free to not participate and make another one at the end though.
I'd say Tyutin by default, only because I don't think there's been anyone whose really wowed be over the course of the season. I've seen some hot streaks, but everyone reminds me of being pretty close to where they were to start the season.
Honestly, I think I have to say Lundqvist. It may sound odd, but I think he really solidified himself as a top tier goaltender this year. There have been so many first year goalies who do real well only to fall off considerably the next year. He has pretty much been the entire team at times this season.
The jury is still out on Hossa in my opinion. I'd like to see him do this for a bit longer than a few weeks...but it sure seems to look good at this point.
From that list though, Tyutin is my pick.
But if you really want to get technical, you would HAVE to go with Dan Girardi. He obviously took the biggest career step forward on the whole team.
Toots has been solid, but I thought he was solid and a little over-criticized last season.
Girardi is a great story, though from what I've read about him it seems that he's just been one of those guys that has flown under the radar and been wrongly ignored. He's finally been given a chance and has been good for us, but I don't know if that's him taking a step forward as much as just finally being given a chance.
Hossa got my vote. His effort has been a lot more consistent this season, and he finally seems to have been able to keep his head in the game. That his offense finally seems to be blossoming is just the icing on the cake. When you consider that 3/4 of the people on this board wanted him waived at the start of the season, and now he looks like an actual top-6 forward, I'd say that's a huge step forward.
As much as i love Dan G. and Hossa (the new Hossa), Toots went from a soft #6 d-man last year to a mean and fistey #1 this year (well, #1 on this team, anyway).
Toots definitely improved but I wouldn't say he took the biggest step forward as a ranger, he was solid the second half of last year basically like he is now in my opinion. Hossa has been great, but for 25 games or so, playing with Jagr. I voted Girardi. He stepped in never playing a game before and has played like a veteran. He will (hopefully, you never know with us) be a regular defensemen for years who will continue to develop into one of the sharpest and smartest defensemen on the team. I love the guy, I think he's taken the biggest step as a player to contributing to winning seasons (in the future?). Toots, Girardi, Staal, Lundqvist. Sounds nice to me. If we could only draft some blue chip offensive players...
As much as i love Dan G. and Hossa (the new Hossa), Toots went from a soft #6 d-man last year to a mean and fistey #1 this year (well, #1 on this team, anyway).
Thats hard to look past.
I agree that Tyutin has improved by leaps and bounds, but I don't know if I would classify him as mean. If anything, I think his biggest flaw in his own end is a lack of a mean streak, something that I would like see him develop.
BTW, I didn't vote because the rule about not letting newly registered members vote in polls is just about the dumbest thing ever.
