jeff@dciem.UUCP (Jeff Richardson) (02/26/86)
Last year, there was a lot of talk in this news group about the Calder
Trophy for the NHL's rookie of the year, even though it seemed obvious that
Mario Lemieux would get it. This year is not so obvious, so I figured I'd
get the ball rolling.
I thought that Montreal's Kjell Dahlin had it wrapped up because he is by
far the leading rookie scorer with 28 goals and 63 points. However, if the
journalists that we read and hear here are any indication, he'll do no
better than third in the voting. His great stats are dismissed because
about half of them (13 goals and I don't know how many assists) have come
while playing on the top power-play in the league, with people like Mats
Naslund, Larry Robinson and Bobby Smith helping him out. On the other hand,
would that power play be as successful without Dahlin?
The name I hear the most as the league's top rookie is Toronto's Wendel
Clark, and that talk is coming from across Canada, not just the Toronto
area. Clark is well down the list of rookie scorers and Toronto scorers
with only 35 points, but what really catches people's eyes is his
agressive play and his ability to get things going by whatever means are
appropriate, and he is seen as a much more complete player than Dahlin.
Also, he has scored almost as many goals as Dahlin (26) playing on a bad team
with nowhere near as much help. What they fail to mention, however, is how
such a great complete player can have the second worst plus/minus on the
team (-27), but he is being judged the way players should be judged, by
ignoring the numbers and just watching him play, as indicated
by opposing coaches often raving about him after playing the Leafs.
Mike Ridley of the Rangers may also be ranked ahead of Dahlin. He's second
in rookie scoring, 13 points behind Dahlin, but he is leading his team in
scoring and getting much less help than Dahlin. He obviously means much more
to the Rangers than Dahlin does to Montreal.
So far, I'm undecided. Clark's been playing his best hockey lately, so
I'd like to wait and see what happens in the last 20 games. Any comments?
What's the view of the situation from where you are?
--
Jeff Richardson, DCIEM, Toronto (416) 635-2073
{linus,ihnp4,uw-beaver,floyd}!utcsri!dciem!jeff
{allegra,ihnp4,linus,decvax}!utzoo!dciem!jeffcjsgro@watdragon.UUCP (Carlo Sgro) (03/01/86)
In article <1796@dciem.UUCP> jeff@dciem.UUCP (Jeff Richardson) writes: >Dahlin's great stats are dismissed because >about half of them (13 goals and I don't know how many assists) have come >while playing on the top power-play in the league, with people like Mats >Naslund, Larry Robinson and Bobby Smith helping him out. On the other hand, >would that power play be as successful without Dahlin? Remember Warren Young? How about the plethora of journeymen wingers that played on Gretzky's line in the early '80's. I've seen Dahlin play a few times this year and am of the opinion that, if he were on a different line, he would be an acceptible rookie, but not good enough for the Calder. >The name I hear the most as the league's top rookie is Toronto's Wendel >Clark, and that talk is coming from across Canada, not just the Toronto >area. Clark is well down the list of rookie scorers and Toronto scorers >with only 35 points, but what really catches people's eyes is his >aggressive play and his ability to get things going by whatever means are >appropriate, and he is seen as a much more complete player than Dahlin. Definitely! He can really get a game going with his hitting. We are looking at someone who can lead by example. Clark will be the captain of the Leafs three years from now. He reminds me of Terry O'Reilly, except with more talent. >Also, he has scored almost as many goals as Dahlin (26) playing on a bad team >with nowhere near as much help. What they fail to mention, however, is how >such a great complete player can have the second worst plus/minus on the >team (-27), But when you watch him play, you don't see any obvious flaws in his defensive style. >but he is being judged the way players should be judged, by >ignoring the numbers and just watching him play, as indicated >by opposing coaches often raving about him after playing the Leafs. True. Who does the voting, though? One last comment about Clark ... What I feel cannot be ignored is his ability to liven up a game by his aggressiveness. If his example catches on with the Leafs, we have the makings of a .500+ hockey team. > >Mike Ridley of the Rangers may also be ranked ahead of Dahlin. He's second >in rookie scoring, 13 points behind Dahlin, but he is leading his team in >scoring and getting much less help than Dahlin. He obviously means much more >to the Rangers than Dahlin does to Montreal. I haven't seen much of Ridley but, based on the numbers, I would agree with Jeff. -- Carlo Sgro ...![ihnp4||decvax||allegra||clyde||utzoo]!watmath!watdragon!cjsgro "ihnp4 Express: Overnight to the USA or you don't pay!"
absary@watdragon.UUCP (Al Sary) (03/02/86)
In article <484@watdragon.UUCP> cjsgro@watdragon.UUCP (Carlo Sgro) writes: > >Remember Warren Young? How about the plethora of journeymen wingers that played >on Gretzky's line in the early '80's. I've seen Dahlin play a few times this I remember one; how does Blair McDonald sound (I might have got the first name wrong). He had somethig like 40 (+?) goals one year, then he was traided and gone from the leage a few years later. Wonder where he is now. >looking at someone who can lead by example. Clark will be the captain of >the Leafs three years from now. A sprotscaster suggested that he should be named the captain now. In my opinion, that would be a big mistake; that kind of a pressure is too much for a 19 year old, in his first year in the NHL. I favour more experienced (ie. older) players for captains. -- Al Sary, CS Dep., U. of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, N2L 3G1 UUCP: ...!{utzoo|decvax|ihnp4|clyde|allegra|linus}!watmath!watcal!absary ARPA: absary%watcal%waterloo.csnet@csnet-relay.arpa CSNET: absary%watcal@waterloo.CSNET