If You Could Be Any NHL Player, Who Would It Be?

I converse on a daily basis with hockey fans on the NHL Digest Twitter feed and Facebook Page. These conversations typically involve questions and scenarios being debated back and forth – some more interesting than others, of course.

A couple of days ago I asked the question:

“If you could be any NHL player, who would it be and why?”

With the variety of hockey fans on Facebook and Twitter, I expected a plethora of different answers and reasons. What I wasn’t prepared for was such a tiny amount of responses that actually mentioned anything to do with hockey skill.

Of course some of the answers were funny, others tried to be but failed, and a few were serious and gave legitimate reasons for their choice.

The following are a few of the favorite responses.

Henny Penny chimed in to vote for Winnipeg Jets / Phoenix Coyotes Captain, Shane Doan.

Henny calls Doan the “greatest, most humble captain out there”

Vancouver Canucks fan, Peter James Woods, loves him some Rick Rypien toughness!

Peter would love to step into Rypien’s Skates because he “chops down fools who step to him”.

Craig Kanalley, better known as the Traffic and Trends Editor at the Huffington Post, shows his hockey knowledge with his description of Ryan Miller.

Craig opines: “Ryan Miller. Calm, cool, collected. Passionate and just plays the game. All admirable qualities”.

We won’t mention anything about the 2010 Olympic Gold Medal game to Craig. Nothing good can come from dwelling on losses.

I suppose that’s a good a segue as any to start talking about the Leafs.

Justin, from the Hockey Card Show, referred to Dion Pahneuf’s bold move of walking into the Leafs dressing room and taking control of the music just after being traded to Toronto from Calgary.

Justin bows down to Dion with this tweet: “Phaneuf…I never get the change the music at work right now”.

The most popular player selected, believe it or not, was retired Flyers’ Goaltender Ron Hextall. Two of the best replies to the posed question featured Hextall as their choice.

The first reply was from Anthony Curatolo, who waxed a little poetic about the Broadstreet Bullies.

Ron Hextall – The man was the definition of a Flyers goaltender. had heart, soul and a temper. My idol growing up!

And, last but certainly not least, the most enthusiastic reply and my selection for tweet of the day goes to Patrice Leonard.  Patrice also chose Ron Hextall, and in did so in most convincing fashion. I wonder if she’s ever seen his naked interview?

The news may be slow, but there are still entertaining hockey conversations going on, so feel free to participate.

Not sure I’ll be running out to get a tattoo of an NHL player’s autograph any time soon (although it’s really hardcore), but calling someone the “badassiest of all bad asses” is now on my bucket list.

Which NHL player would you choose to be and why? Drop your answer in the comments – I’d love to hear from you!

A Loser’s Case For The Conn Smythe

The Conn Smythe trophy is one often one of hockey’s most unpredictable awards.  At the outset of the playoffs it is nearly impossible to know which player will rise to the top over the course of the next few weeks.

There are some years when an unbelievable individual performance carries an unlikely team to the Stanley Cup finals. In those cases, such as it was with J.S Giguere and Ron Hextall, a player can win the Conn Smythe when his team loses the Stanley Cup.

This year, however, we have a unique situation in that there is really nobody on the Philadelphia Flyers that could earn that distinction in a losing cause.  Michael Leighton, although very good in the games that he played, has not played enough games or “stolen games” as yet.  I believe it would take a remarkable performance from Leighton (repeat of the Conference Finals with more ‘big game saving’ stops) in the finals in order for him to be considered for the Conn Smythe.

I would also argue the same for Chicago’s Antti Niemi. If Kirk McLean couldn’t win the Conn Smythe while making a record 761 playoff saves in a losing effort back in 1994, then neither of these goaltenders have a hope.

Could A Forward Win In A Losing Cause?

Jonathan Toews has to be the front runner right now when evaluating forwards who could possibly win the Conn Smythe if their team lost the Stanley Cup.  Toews is currently leading the playoffs in scoring with 26 points in 16 games. Leading all remaining players in faceoff percentage and his 5 powerplay and 3 game winning goals solidify his spot as a contender for MVP.

Mike Richards may be the player with the next best shot, leading the Flyers in scoring thus far with 21 points. However, of his 6 goals, he has just one Game Winner.  Danny Briere has 4 game winning goals and a total of 18 points, with a couple of game winners in the final, he could have an outside shot.

Ironically, the last (and only) time a non-goalie won the Conn Smythe it was a Philadelphia Flyer!

Reggie Leach won the Conn Smythe in a losing cause back in 1976 when he recorded an NHL record 19 playoff goals in 16 games.  He picked up the playoff MVP award despite his team being swept in the final by the Montreal Canadiens.

Many considered Ken Dryden a favorite to win the award, but no other Flyer had more than 6 goals that playoff year and Boston’s Jean Ratelle had the second most playoff goals with 8.

That is the kind of dominance it takes for a non-goaltender to win the Conn Smythe in a losing cause.

Will It Happen This Year?

Frankly, it will take an absolutely astonishing performance throughout a long series for any player to earn the Conn Smythe in a losing cause this season.  One of the three forwards mentioned would have to rack up a pile of points and score some very key goals to win.  I don’t think either of the starting goalies can win in a losing effort, regardless of what happens in this series.

I have purposely left out defenseman. One could make an argument for a defenseman such as Chris Pronger to win, but I think the possibility is extremely remote. If the Flyers were to win the Cup, Pronger should get some consideration the same light that saw Scott Niedermayer win in 2007 and Nicklas Lidstrom in 2002.

What do you think?

Who is your favorite for the Conn Smythe?

Bobby Clarke Interviewed

For those of you who took in the Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia game on CBC last night, you may have seen an interview of Bobby Clarke during the intermission.

I, for one,  found this interview rather fascinating.  Although I was not totally surprised by Clarke’s candor, I was surprised at some of his answers – particularly with regard to the Toronto General Manager’s job.

Clarke on Game One

“We (Philadelphia) always start a series a little ragged and I think Pittsburgh is ragged too…this is not the type of hockey that will be played throughout this series”

Clarke on Containing Malkin

“You have to get him along the boards and keep him there…if you run at him, you’re going to pay the price”

Clarke on Containing Crosby

“The same thing (as Malkin), he is a guy with a lot of skill that can burn you”

“He seems to like the battles along the boards, he keeps his feet moving”

“He’s a tank, you’re not going to knock him on his rear end”

Clarke on Coaching in The NHL

“You need a different coach in Montreal than you do in Toronto…In Toronto you better be a guy with experience. Montreal is so technically skilled, Carbonneau does a good job”.

“Same thing in Philly, you better be tough because that’s what the people expect”

Clarke on The Maple Leafs General Management Position

“I’d have to talk with Holmgren (et.al), but I’d talk to them”

“I don’t know…you’ve got Cliff Fletcher right there, why not look at Hextall or Nieuwendyk…the young guys who are going to be great General Managers in this league”?

Hextall certainly fits the bill as the tough, no-nonsense, personality required to withstand the scrutiny of the Toronto media spotlight.  He is currently serving as the General Manager of the Los Angeles Kings AHL affiliate, Manchester Monarchs, so he does have some experience at the professional level.

Your Take

What do you think?

Is Ron Hextall the upstart General manager that the Maple Leafs need to turn their franchise around?

Or, Do the Leafs need someone with more experience?