That Escalated Quickly...

Catch your breath...In what was one of the craziest days of activity not on trade deadline or free agency in the history of the NHL, All Star caliber players were being shipped around like their trading cards and another cashed in big time.

Tampa Bay GM Steve Yzerman stuck to his guns and got Steven Stamkos signed for a reasonable cap hit of $8.5 million per year (assuming you think that sort of money is reasonable for playing a game...but we digress). Stamkos was set to be the crown jewel of a deep free agent class with the like of Andrew Ladd, Kyle Okposo and David Backes set to hit the market. By getting him at this reasonable amount Yzerman has allowed himself some flexibility when it comes to signing other restricted free agents in Kilorn and Kucherov, big pieces of their playoff success the last two years. 

In Montreal PK Subban was traded for fellow Canadian gold medalist Shea Weber in a move that left many searching their recently blown minds. Subban is younger and has a higher cap hit. There are many suggesting that the savings were a big issue in a cap world and can't be discounted. The issue of race has also been brought up and can't totally be ignored but is likely well down the list of issues. PK is a star in this league and an asset where ever he goes. He's also outspoken and emotional. The NHL is a league that isn't big on flashy personalities that could detract from the team, Just look at guys like Alexander Ovechkin, Brent Burns and Jeremy Roenick in his day. All have at times been question for either show boating, being eccentric or running their mouths more than they should. Rumors persisted of discontent in the locker room of which this may be a telling sign, but whatever issues there may have been there is no doubt PK contributes to an already deep blue line will be embraced in Nashville, provided they win. Shea Weber has been their franchise and I am shocked at the people who think this is a one sided deal. Weber is a Norris Trophy nominee and probably should have beat PK the year he won, an all star many times over, and a gold medal winning defenceman who played huge minutes in that tournament. His complete game is probably more polished and he posses on of the league's hardest shots. Not exactly a bag of pucks.

And as they say, thing happen in threes, so the Oilers made sure. They shipped Taylor Hall to New Jersey for defenceman Adam Larsson. With the drafting of another forward on Friday the writing seemed to be on the wall that one of their star forwards was out and Hall was tapped as the man to go. He likely brought the biggest return and signing free agent Dmen isn't much of an option this summer. Edmonton has had trouble attracting free agents anyway so this ensures they get what they desperately needed. Larsson has a big upside and this is what the Oilers and GM Pete Chiarelli are banking on. Hall is a proven commodity and should fit well with pal Adam Henrique in New Jersey. They needed to pay a price and they have. Time will tell it it pays off. 

The Case for Conor

Breaking into any professional league is hard, never mind doing it with a floundering organization who all but sanctified you as the next one from the moment they won the #1 pick, yet again...

Conor McDavid's first NHL season was, unfortunately, cut short by injury but when he was healthy there was certainly no more dynamic rookie, hell, maybe even few other players, in the league. He averaged over a point a game (48pts. in 45 gms) and gave Oilers fans little doubt that this kid is going to be special.

And that's where the Calder conversation should focus. On what he accomplished at such a young age especially considering what he had around him. At 18 years old he was the best player on his team and many nights the best on the ice regardless. He possesses dynamic, game changing skill and speed, was a constant threat whenever he was on the ice, the focus of most opponents and I repeat is only 18!

The man many consider the favourite to take home the Calder trophy as the NHL's Rookie of the Year is Chicago Blackhawks forward Artemi Panari. And man would be the right word. He's 24 years old has has been playing professionally in Russia for years. While many may argue that the KHL isn't the NHL and that Panari put up very solid numbers this season (77pts in 80gms) he was doing so alongside the league's leading scorer in Patrick Kane, on one of the deepest and most successful teams in the league. The talent level around him on this perennial powerhouse was far superior not to mention he's been doing this for years at a professional level. 24 of those points were on the Power Play alongside a virtual All Star lineup. I understand it takes time to adjust to a new league and moreover a new culture here in North America, but bringing in a guy who is already well seasoned and giving him the edge over a true rookie is a load.

Sergi Makarov won the Calder with  Calgary Flames in 1989 at the age of 31 and the rules where subsequently changed so that you now had to be under 26 to qualify for the trophy. A lot has changed since then, (Nirvana (sadly) no longer tops the charts) and the mindset of the voters should as well. It was rare that young players had the impact they do today with the obvious exceptions of top level talent like Conor McDavid. The league is getting younger and faster and while none of that is Panarin's fault awarding him over McDavid would seem to ignore this.

Other talented youngsters like the Philadelphia Flyers Shayne Gostisbehere are Buffalo Sabres Jack Eichel are among the young crop of stars to carry their team at a young age and are certainly worth of consideration as well but that if you look at impact and overall performance McDavid showed he is in a class of his own. Just ask yourself this, is there anyone of these players you'd trade for him straight up?

I realize that's forward thinking and not relative to the season past but when he was healthy McDavid was named rookie of the month for all three months he was eligible. He had more points per game than any rookie as well. This wasn't a small sample size either. He played over half the season and while he numbers may not have continued at that rate over a full 82 game schedule, it's doubtful they would have dropped off to the point where he wasn't in the hunt for leading scorer among rookies. He has talent around him (ie. Taylor Hall,) and the difference was he elevated that talent more so than his fellow nominees. We all knew what Patrick Kane could do, but Jordan Eberle put up stellar numbers along side McDavid as a direct impact of playing alongside him. His vision and puck handling ability allow him to control the game at an incredibly high level and create opportunities for whoever is on his line. He played center in the extremely physical and demanding Western Conference against much larger opponents and proved he has what it takes.

It's likely that this is all a mute point as the NHL Awards are in Las Vegas tomorrow night and that votes have already been tabulated but even if he doesn't win I can't imagine there's anyone out there who believes he's not going to be the best of this bunch.

March of the Captain

Another NHL season over, another chapter added to Sidney Crosby's growing legend. The Penguins captain lead his team to a second Stanley Cup championship (4th in club history) something most thought would've come sooner after back to back finals appearances in 2007-08.

From the minute Mike Sullivan took over behind the Penguins bench part way through the season it seemed Crosby was on a mission and ultimately there was no stopping him. His complete 200 foot game was reminiscent of Steve Yzerman in the late 90's or contemporary Johnathan Towes during recent Blackhawks Stanley Cup runs. Detractors point out his lack of well, points, but he still put up decent numbers and would have had plenty more had Connor Sheary and Patric Hornqvist been able to hit the broad side of a barn. His puck possession and face off dominance were a sight to behold. He controlled the tempo of the game, setting up opportunity after opportunity for his line mates. Unlike certain Washington based one trick ponies, Crosby proved he has matured from his youthful, whining ways to become an all around leader and someone on whom the coaches and players could rely on in the most pivotal moments of the game.

Many a fan felt that it was sheer favoritism when Crosby was handed the Conn Smythe trophy as playoff MVP but they obviously weren't paying attention. Crosby's numbers may not have jumped off the stat sheet but his knack for clutch goals and his ability to control the play were second to none this post season. Many praise Jonathan Towes for leading the Blackhakws in a similar manner but seem reluctant to heap the same praise on Crosby because of his (well earned) past reputation as a whiner and the fact that his is so relentlessly slurped in the media. While that may be the case, the fact is he was at the top of his game and no one was more deserving.

Matt Murray was stellar in net and the ice in his veins was in better condition that San Jose's SAP rink. His efforts were an integral part of this run but Patrick Roy or Martin Brodeur he wasn't. This was not some upstart team who had no business hoisting the cup (a la Montreal 1986). Granted, he was consistently solid and clearly a much better option than wilting flower Marc-Andre Fleury, giving his team a chance to win every night. However, he never had to steal a game and was often out shone by counterparts Lundquvist, Holtby, Vasilevskiy and in particular the Sharks Martin Jones in the final, who essentially was the only reason it wasn't a sweep, Murray was a huge part of the reason they won but really was just there when called upon which ultimately was all he needed to be (think Antti Niemi with the Blackhawks circa 2009).

Phil Kessel was another Conn Smythe candidate and definitely proved his worth in the playoffs. His speed and quick shot got the job done on an incredibly productive 'third' line with beard aficionado Nick Bonino and the even speedier Carl Hagelin. If the award were give to a line, it'd likely be this one who came up with some timely goals throughout the playoffs, but no one individual really took over a series at any point and much of Kessel's damage was done on the Pens lethal power play alongside Evgeni Malkin and Crosby.

The Penguins ultimately won because of their depth and their commitment to solid defensive hockey, much of this accomplished without sacrificing in the offensive end. Their relatively unknown defense core lead by Kris Letang shut down the opposition time and time again and combined with stellar two way play from the likes of Matt Cullen and Eric Fehr they stymied everyone in their path. This buy in starts at the top with their leadership group, lead by Crosby, and trickles down throughout. The Pens frustrated the Sharks with their tight checking and shot blocking, holding the playoffs highest scoring team down most nights. The frustration was evident in Joe Pavelski, Joe Thornton, Brent Burns Logan Couture and the rest of the Sharks top players as they couldn't find a way to break through. Analysts bandy about words like compete level and sacrifice, but cliche as they are they're used for a reason. Everyone wants to win, (seriously why else would they be there?) but the Pens just seemed a step quicker or more willing than the rest.

The debate over where this leaves Crosby in the ranks of Hockey's greats will rage on but there's no doubt a second cup was needed to raise his status and reclaim his position as the best in the business...at least for today.