Luc Robitaille to call it a career
The force is strong with this one. Sometime today, future Hall of Famer Luc Robitaille will announce his decision to retire. With three games remaining and the likelihood of the Kings making the playoffs almost an impossibility, the Kings will celebrate their star forward. The highest scoring left winger ever in the game and the star of Sudden Impact, has a total of 668 goals, and 726 assists. His career spanned 1,428 regular seasons games and brought him to Pittsburgh, New York, Detroit and Los Angeles. He played in 159 playoff games, tallying 58 goals and 69 assists, and helped the Red Wings to a Stanley Cup victory in 2002. For more on Luc, visit TSN.ca.
Ovechkin broke the 100 point mark last night with a goal in a 2-1 overtime win against the Bruins last night. One shy of 50, Ovechkin has had an amazing season. This kid will clearly win the Calder trophy this year, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him take the MVP next year. He's that good.
Anaheim and the Niedermayer brothers may have crushed Vancouver's playoff hopes last night with a 4-2 victory. Scott and Rob scored early to give the Ducks a 2-0 lead. The win helped Anaheim clinch a playoff berth. Playoff Beard Alert: Thank goodness! Scott Niedermayer is a playoff beard veteran. If the Ducks can last a round or two this guy will look like Jesus on ice!
One final note, to the jackass broadcaster in Ottawa (don't know your name, but you know who you are), Daniel Alfredsson has had a terrific year, but in no way is he even close to having an MVP calibre season. There are 6 guys ahead of him in points, and he hasn't even hit 100, and most likely won't. I love watching your broadcasts up in Canada, but sometimes you color guys get a little too biased on your boys up North. Take a step a back and think before you talk. Saying Daniel Alfredsson is a candidate for the MVP trophy is like saying the French were pivotal in winning World War II.
Since I'm on the topic, here are my thoughts for MVP, it should come down to Jagr, Thornton, and possibly Ovechkin. Strong consideration could go towards Turco and Kiprussoff as well, but I think the points Jagr and Thornton have put up will be difficult to ignore. I'll make my final picks later this week.
Last night's scores:
Washington 2 Boston 1 F (OT)
Ottawa 2 Montreal 3 F
San Jose 3 Phoenix 2 F
Anaheim 4 Vancouver 2 F
Game of the night:
Edmonton at Detroit 7:30 PM
Edmonton needs this one bad. They hold the last playoff spot with 3 games remaining, and have only a 2 point lead over 9th place Vancouver. Expect the Oilers to battle hard for this one. Enjoy the games!
Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh
Comments
Now, now-- MVP isn't the most points, that's the Art Ross. It is judged to be given to "the player judged to be the most valuable to his team."
Alfredsson should definitely be considered for it, because without him, the team was lost. They got blown out of the water, the PP was horrendous, and they were running around unorganized.
Rick Nash is another guy who could be considered going by that scenario since they Jackets are tearing it up with him in the line-up. Of course, because of the fact of injuries, he won't get a nod just yet.
Posted by: Wazz | April 11, 2006 03:26 PM
Yes! I have sparked some controversy, or at least a friendly debate.
I know its' not about points, but I still stand by my statement. If anyone is the MVP on the Sens its Heatley. He's made Alfredsson a much better player.
Based on "the player judged to be the most valuable to his team" Jagr, Thornton, and Kipprusoff are much more so. I would even throw Staal in there too. If you removed those guys from their teams, I doubt they would be in their current positions. I think Ottawa is so deep that they could have weathered the storm without him. They have already done so without their number 1 goalie for over a month now.
Alfredsson is an awesome player, I just think his season (although terrific) has been eclipsed by the performance of several others.
I completely agree with you about Nash. I was so bummed about that because he was first rounder in my other league this year. What a buzz kill.
bosh
Posted by: Captbosh | April 11, 2006 03:55 PM
If you want to get right down to it, then I would say Spezza would be the MVP of the Sens because he's made both Heatley and Alfredsson better.
But, Kipper should be one of the guys who should be first or second in voting. I mean, 34 straight games without allowing more than 3 goals for him?? That's unheard of and downright insane. Homer as I am, he's the MVP, or if you are all about The Score TV Network-- MP3.
Posted by: Wazz | April 11, 2006 05:51 PM