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Early Season Best Defenceman
by PuckStopsHere on 10/24/08 at 01:14 PM ET
Comments (2)
I like to track the leading candidates for the various NHL awards as the season progresses. I am still in the process of picking the first round of award leaders. So far, I have picked Alexander Semin of the Washington Capitals as an early season MVP and Mike Smith of the Tampa Bay Lightning as an early season Vezina leader. Today, I am picking the best defenceman so far in the season.
My pick is Andrei Markov of the Montreal Canadiens.
Markov leads all defencemen in the league with nine points in his six games played. He is tied for the defenceman +/- lead (with Niclas Wallin of the Carolina Hurricanes) at +7. He has played very well so far this season.
Over the past couple of seasons, Markov has established himself as one of the ten best defencemen in the game. He will continue this progression if he continues his play at this level. It is very possible he could enter the debate as to who the best defenceman in the game is by season’s end.
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Tags: Andrei+Markov, Montreal+Canadiens,
Comments
No, it’s an offense bias.
How about the defenseman that well...you know...play defense?
Now, I wouldn’t be a true fan if I didn’t throw a Penguins name into the mix, but there are other people in the league deserving as well.
How about Alex Goligoski.
He’s a rookie, he’s playing 17:57 a game, is playing the point on the top PP line, has 2 goals, and through 5 games has only been on the ice for 1 goal against.
Markov’s been on the ice for 5 GA already this season.
Now again, i’ll say it. I’m picking Goligoski because I’m a Penguins fan. I’m sure there are other more deserving players out there. But when it comes to defenseman, you have to look at defense first.
Goligoski for ROY!!!
Posted by Kevin from Pittsburgh on 10/24/08 at 06:44 PM ET
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East Coast Bias!
Posted by Jeremy on 10/24/08 at 01:59 PM ET