Biggest Surprise- Bonk/Erat/Legwand (Bonk for obvious reasons, Erat and Leggy because i was one of those silly people who thought Kariya's absence would affect their game)
Most Improved- Tootoo
Biggest Disappointment- Mason
What is he doing on our team? - De Vries
Please Poile re-sign him!- Weber
Step it up (players clearly capable of more)- Raddy
I agree with most these except Rads as "Step it up"
He is on a faster points per game than last year. Behind only Erat, Legwand, and Arnott. At this point in his career, these are all better players than him.
I wouldn't say he's clearly capable of more either. He isn't clearly capable of anything at the NHL level. He's got some stuff to improve if he wants to go to the next level.
[QUOTE=nomorekids;11460964]Simply put, nominate and defend a player for each "award."
Best Forward- David Legwand
He's done it all, this season. He's been a dangerous offensive threat, even while playing with a slumping Alex Radulov and an offensively-limited Vernon Fiddler. He's been one of the few forwards that looks competent on the power play--all while being stifling defensively.
Best Defenseman- Ryan Suter
This was a toss up for me. He's not been "great," but no one on our team really has. His rounded game puts him ahead of Greg Zanon for me.
Biggest Surprise- Radek Bonk
This has been covered. We expected great defense, but we got surprising physicality and nice goal scoring as well. If he'd use his size more on the PP, he'd be pretty much flawless.
Most Improved- Martin Erat
Marty has taken his game to the next level. He's always been a peripheral player who depended on linemates to get him over, but he's been a catalyst this year, and our most consistent forward since joining the Arnott\Dumont line.
Biggest Disappointment- Martin Gelinas\Alexander Radulov
Gelinas has provided a little bit of spark and good work along the boards, but to be honest, I expected a little more offensively. At this pace, he's not even going to get close to his standard 15 goals. Radulov is experiencing the dreaded sophomore slump. I'm not overly concerned, but with Kariya and Hartnell's departure, we had big expectations. More on that later.
What is he doing on our team? - Jerred Smithson
Jed Ortmeyer is better offensively and defensively. Jerred is bigger, but doesn't use it, and even seems to have taken a step back as a penalty killer\defensive player. Not a good thing when you've got no offensive talent whatsoever.
Please Poile re-sign him!- David Legwand
Our first draft pick, finally living up to expectations, probably our most irreplaceable forward at this point. Sign him and sign him for a long time. We'll miss his goofy, toothless, ugly grin if he left.
Step it up(players clearly capable of more)- Alex Radulov
We don't expect him to be "THE guy" just yet, but we do expect him to be one of them. He's gripping the stick too hard right now, and it shows. When Radulov relaxes and lets the game happen, he's one of our most dangerous players. He's deadly when he's using his linemates--not so much when he's trying to be a hero every time he touches the puck. Less fancy stuff, less puck hogging...more shots and smart passing. Alex will be fine, but we need him to get it together sooner rather than later.
Best Forward- Legwand - not much to add, except David has been the most complete player on the team. Others may be better in one or two aspects, but he is the total package
Best Defenseman- Suter. Quietly improved most of his game and he carries the puck up ice very well, too.
Biggest Surprise- Bonk. Who'd a thunk it? He is very much what the team needed and his strengths fit Trotz's system to a T.
Most Improved- Erat, who is finally playing to the potential many of us saw all along. He shoots with much more confidence and chooses when to dish better than last year.
Biggest Disappointment- Zidlicky. see next entry...
What is he doing on our team? - Zidlicky- we needed him to play more of a Timonen role. With a few exceptions, he has been average on the Powerplay, made some bad choices in D coverage, not contributed as much offensively as the team needs. I know he was unlikely to meet all of those expectations, but I expected him to meet some of them.
Please Poile re-sign him!- Legwand.
Step it up(players clearly capable of more)- Radulov. Alex has seemed nervous and I agree he is trying to hard lately. His energy and talent are so obvious, he needs to let his hockey instincts take control and it will come. He has been good, but he can be great.
