con-smythe

[DocOck]

In past years, when Ron Hextall, Glenn Hall and Roger Crozier won the Conne Smythe as a member of the losing Stanley Cup finalist, they stood on their head(s) for all playoff rounds including the final series.
While Giguere stood on his for 2+ rounds he sure didn't do it in the final. Martin Brodeur was as consistent as could be and set a record of 7 playoff shutouts. he has been so good for so long, such achievements are now taken for granted
I hate the Devils as much as anyone, but a "sympathy" Conne Smythe just ain't appropriate in my books.

 

[Goober Mcfly]

I disagree.

While Brodeur was solid yet again, I don't think he was the MVP to his team through the playoffs. Giguere, however, carried his team through the first rounds, giving them the confidence to make a Final out of it when he finally cooled off.

To not recognize that accomplishment would be sad, IMO.

 

[rayven]

I have to agree with Goober - not just 'cuz I luv Goober but because I think he's right.

I've admitted before that I'm not a huge hockey fan but I took interest in Anaheim in their first series against Detroit because I had money on the game.

Nobody expected them to make it past Detroit and I think that it's mainly because of Giguere that they made it to last night. He couldn't win *every* game on his own no matter how hard he tried. Last night (and probably) overall the New Jersey was the better team. But, for the playoffs I think that Giguere was the best goalie if not the best player especially since it was so unexpected.

He deserved to be recognized, IMO.

 

[BigGuy26]

J.S. Giguere did carry the Ducks to the Final. If not for his brilliant puckstopping, they would not have defeated Detroit or Dallas.

But I find it difficult to award the Conn Smythe to a player on the losing team. After all, New Jersey had to have some standout players in order to win the cup. Giguere and Brodeur were somewhat normal in the last few games. I would have leaned to Jamie Langenbrunner or Scott Neidermayer as being worthy, as they both played extremely well throughout the playoffs.

 

[royrogers4488]

Brodeur wasn't really challenged that much when the Devils were on their game and when he was challenged this year, he was medium. JS was great in the first three series but nothing special in the finals. I think it should go to a player who was great all the way through. Scott Neidermayer was great every game that I saw!

 

[rawhide]

With no disrespect to JSG, I don't think he's in the same league as Glenn Hall and others who won in past. He is a goalie that is a blocker - he bulks up his person and plays the angles. With all the bulky equiment that is allowed no, there is virtuall no room to shoot but high on either side of head. He allows huge rebounds and so it is his defence who get the credit for preventing second shots. By comparison, Hall didn't wear a mask and so couldn't use his head (intensionally) to block shots. He had pads and gloves that were very small by current standards sothere were lots of holes to shoot for. Thus, he had to be agile and beat the shoot, not just block the shot.

I think JSG is a great goalie, but I don't think he carried to Ducks as much as the Ducks played as a team and played defensive hockey. So if JSG is a metaphor for the whole team, I agree with the award, but if it is individual accomplishment, I disagee.

Only 12 weeks until lnext season......

 

[BigGuy26]

Isn't it amazing looking at highlights of the NHL only 10 years ago and realize the goalies had half of the equipment that they do now!