symbology
TEAM LGK
MVP of the playoffs really should be given to the player that was the biggest key to actually WINNING the cup.
How can a loser be most valuable? Harsh maybe, but ????????
The other teams thread
- Thread starter Axl Rhoadz
- Start date
MVP of the playoffs really should be given to the player that was the biggest key to actually WINNING the cup.
How can a loser be most valuable? Harsh maybe, but ????????
DoubleMinor
3rd Line Winger
There is a lot going on with this topic.
I tend to agree that it was a lot to ask of McDavid to leave the locker room after the ultimate loss to accept an award. I think back to Justin Williams in ‘14…had the Kings lost would JW have gone out to get the award? I don’t know.
But, but, but.
This entire series (if not the entire playoff season) was about the NHL showcasing the star of all stars. They wanted McDavid to be the only player people heard about. They showed him at every opportunity, talked about him ad nauseam, and made every game about only him.
When it finally ended the NHL was then going to have their moment to celebrate their star.
Here’s an analogy…
Academy Awards. Best Movie nominee. Lead actor in that best movie nominated for Best Actor. This movie does not win award but actor does. Should the actor refuse to accept because his movie did not also win?
I understand that PERHAPS McDavid felt it was inappropriate given the certain sadness in the locker room after the defeat. But that is easily explained to his teammates. (Really, is any Oiler going to criticize McDavid?).
Conor I believe had an obligation to go out and accept the award. It’s part of the deal. It’s sportsmanship. It’s part of the territory when he understands the League has put him on the pedestal. Was it too much to ask for him to skate on the ice, take the trophy, shake a hand, and skate off?
I think it was understandable. But I think it was wrong given the big picture.
DoubleMinor
3rd Line Winger
This is certainly an age-old question. Should the MLB MVP award only be given to a player on the first place team? Can a player be the MVP if the team doesn’t win it all?
McDavid was certainly the best player in the playoffs. He’s the most highly skilled player of his generation. Without doubt.
IF the award winner had to be from the championship team, who was it? I don’t think Bob deserved it. Perhaps it could have been Barkov. But did any Panther have an impact the size of McDavid?
The goose egg in games 6 & 7 was an opening for the league to give it to a Panther. But I just don’t know who really earned it.
I can’t really disagree with McDavid getting it. But I have a funny feeling that future award winners will in fact come from the winning team to avoid this situation.
DoubleMinor
3rd Line Winger
So, I’m gonna totally contradict my own self on this prior post
Bob should have been awarded the Conn Smythe trophy!!!
It takes four wins.
In those four wins, what player performed at the highest level to help his team get those four wins?
It wasn’t McDavid because his team did not get four wins. In the game that could have allowed his team the fourth win he was scoreless and not even an impact player.
Bob played at a high level in his teams four wins. He didn’t play that great in three losses. But those losses did not matter ultimately. His play in four wins allowed his team to win the championship!
Bob should have won the Conn Smythe, even though McDavid was the best player in the series. McDavid did not get his team to four wins.
End of discussion (unless I contradict myself again).
Rog or Reg?
Top Forward
I agree.
No Way should a player from the losing team get the trophy. But as soon as Dr. Evil (Bettman) started rambling, I knew McDavid had it won.
Bobrovsky, despite having a few bad games, should have won the trophy. Point blank. He pitched a shutout in Game One, held the Oilers to one goal in Game Two, and played lights-out in Game Seven.
Was McDavid the most talented player on the ice? No doubt. But the trophy should have gone to a player on the winning team.
I have to disagree with you. McDavid is the Captain of the losing team - his responsibility, at that point, is to be there for his teammates first and foremost not step back out on the ice and accept an individual based award minutes after losing game 7 of the Cup Finals. It's nothing like the analogy you put forward, in my opinion. McDavid is the on ice leader who should exemplify putting the team before himself. He has asked these teammates to follow him, to look to him for guidance and hold him as an example to which they should aspire to. All of that comes with responsibility, and hopefully care, as their leader.
If we want the losing player to step away from his team, who are going through an extremely emotional time, to receive the award then present it at a later date, or time, such as when the pressers are held afterwards. We should respect him, and the players, and give them some time to commiserate together. What is actually selfish, in my opinion, is the league and/or fans thinking their personal gain by seeing him receive the award outweighs the needs of the players and team.
DoubleMinor
3rd Line Winger
Interesting. I appreciate your take. I also like to hear opposing viewpoints and I also like it when I have to revisit my own thoughts and opinions.
First, I absolutely understand the obligation to teammates and understand that the whole media celebration caused McDavid to choose. That’s hardly his fault.
However, and this is the unfortunate aspect, there is also a business side to sports these days that requires an obligation as well. I wish that wasn’t true. But none of us can deny that the NHL, the media/sponsors, and the Organizations expect the players to participate in the circus. It comes with the territory. And let’s also not ignore that these entities allow players to be nicely compensated by going along with the showcase.
I have no doubt that this was a crushing loss for Edmonton. The players were surely devastated. They needed the private moment post-game to try to deal with the loss before the onslaught of reporters came in to view the carnage. Of course, none of this is ideal. It would be best for none of it to be part of the story. But again, it’s just part of what players are forced to endure because the league allows the media to set the agenda.
I do not believe there would have been any significant blowback directed towards McDavid if he had left the room for a minute to fulfill the expected obligation, and if there were I suspect it would have been shutdown rapidly. I do not believe any teammate would have reacted negatively, even privately. I think the players get it with how the game is. Again, it’s the rather crappy side of the business.
A week from now this will all be forgotten. No one will remember it once October rolls around. I definitely understand the message McDavid sent to his teammates. I have no doubt they respected what he did. I do not feel that they would have disrespected him for accepting the award. Again, the players understand the give and take.
My point is that the players know the situation and react accordingly. I’m sure they do a lot of things they would prefer not to do but it’s part of being a professional. It’s the good with the bad.
Again, I don’t really disagree with you. It’s the “grow the game” bs that drives me crazy.
symbology
TEAM LGK
I can agree to this. However.......... Its the Oilers and McJesus we are talking about here. So, try to keep reasonable comments to a minimum.
DoubleMinor
3rd Line Winger
I’m trying not to let my feelings about McDavid and Edmonton get in the way of this discussion lol.
All I can add is that when the puck went in the corner with 14 seconds left I’m certain that it was the beginning of a slow and painful death for those clownish fans. And I admit I loved every second of it.
Dr. Tran
Top Forward
I don't think McDavid should've won the Conn Smythe. It should've gone to Bob. But I don't think he should've been expected to leave his teammates & accept the award.
I don't like either team but I'm happier that Florida won. And I love all the great traditions. Like seeing everyone skate with the Cup, the handshake line, Bettman getting booed, and Phil Pritchard having the same haircut since 1982.
I don't like either team but I'm happier that Florida won. And I love all the great traditions. Like seeing everyone skate with the Cup, the handshake line, Bettman getting booed, and Phil Pritchard having the same haircut since 1982.
Clif
Super Star
McDavid is the only one out of six Cup-losing Conn Smythe winners to not go out and get the trophy.
As much as I’m loathe to give him credit, Giguere went out by himself in 2003. The crowd yelled “Brodeur is bettter.” I still remember Brodeur skating out and putting his arms up in the air, a complete ass. And Giguere took it on the chin.
None of Giguere’s teammates knew he won in the moment. He put it on the trainer’s table and went back into the room to lick his wounds with the rest of them.
Different time, different arena, but I think the idea that McDavid couldn’t leave his team for one minute is a stretch.
Further, the Conn Smythe is a celebration of talent, impact, and will. McDavid’s play got his team that close, and put hockey in the national spotlight. The attention was so positive for this sport that I was finding some solace in what I thought was a nearly assured Oil win.
To accept the trophy is about the sport itself. Running from a hostile environment is nothing to praise. And given his ardent Cup or bust mantra to start the season, not going out to get the trophy can’t help but look like sour grapes. Everyone knows he’s hurting. But it’s not just about him. Or for that matter, the Oilers.
As much as I’m loathe to give him credit, Giguere went out by himself in 2003. The crowd yelled “Brodeur is bettter.” I still remember Brodeur skating out and putting his arms up in the air, a complete ass. And Giguere took it on the chin.
None of Giguere’s teammates knew he won in the moment. He put it on the trainer’s table and went back into the room to lick his wounds with the rest of them.
Different time, different arena, but I think the idea that McDavid couldn’t leave his team for one minute is a stretch.
Further, the Conn Smythe is a celebration of talent, impact, and will. McDavid’s play got his team that close, and put hockey in the national spotlight. The attention was so positive for this sport that I was finding some solace in what I thought was a nearly assured Oil win.
To accept the trophy is about the sport itself. Running from a hostile environment is nothing to praise. And given his ardent Cup or bust mantra to start the season, not going out to get the trophy can’t help but look like sour grapes. Everyone knows he’s hurting. But it’s not just about him. Or for that matter, the Oilers.
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Actually, before Giguere, the previous such Conn Smythe winners (from losing teams) were awarded the trophy near the locker room, certainly not on the ice.
Examples:
Ron Hextall (1987):
Reggie Leach (1976): (at the 15:59 mark).
I don't think McDavid can be faulted. Maybe he felt he needed to be with his team, or didn't want to take away from the Panthers moment of glory. Personally, I think Bobrovsky should have won the award. Despite poor games 4-6, he won game 7 and gave up only 1 goal, and blanked McDavid in the deciding game.
Overall, epic series, and I'm so happy the Panthers were able to recover and win game 7. That is as impressive an accomplishment as the Oilers forcing a game 7 after being down 3-0.
Clif
Super Star
If not on ice they still accepted it as it was presented, although fair point. If it was on ice at the time who knows if they would have come out then also.
I still fault McDavid for reasons stated so I won’t rehash it, but totally agreed on what a great series it was. I love this sport and I want more people to discover it. I think McDavid is unfortunately cheap and sulky for his unreal skillset and so I root against him. I’m thrilled FL won - they had incredible pressure. But even if they didn’t, I could put my rooting interests at least partially aside and appreciate the story.
Rog or Reg?
Top Forward
I have zero issue with McDavid not going back out on the ice to accept the trophy. My issue is the fact he should not have been awarded the trophy at all.
For starters, as I stated here before, the trophy should go to a member of the winning team. And on top of that, McDavid didn't score one point in the final two game.s
In my definition, that does not sound like a Conn Smythe winner.
Bobrovsky was robbed, but I'm sure he couldn't care less. He has that 'other' trophy with his name on it.
I just loved the fact Florida won and it was a highly entertaining series...with an epic Game Seven. Hockey fans can't ask for much more than that.
DoubleMinor
3rd Line Winger
Didn’t take too long for Ottawa to regret that ridiculous contract for Jonas.
jom
Dorkus Malorkus
I was going to post this. I actually saw the interview with Leach after that game. I didn't think much about it at the time (I was 14 years old) but looking back it was honorable thing to do. Going into the winner's locker room AFTER being swept in the series.
BTW, Leach scored 19 goals in 16 playoff games for the Flyers and deserved the trophy. So I have to disagree with a few people here. McDavid did deserve the Smythe but probably should have gone through the motions. IMO, it's the most important award in the NHL save the Cup itself....
jom
