Apart from Sidney Crosby being the NHL’s best player spanning a decade plus, he was objectively fabulous this year. He had 100 points. 35 of which were goals. He boasted great five-on-five numbers.
All the while, he played with a million different line mates. Jake Guentzel on the left or the right. Patty Hornqvist, Phil Kessel, Bryan Rust, Dominik Simon all played top-line minutes at some point with Sid.
This was *maybe* his best full season ever when you consider what he did on the defensive end. He won 55 percent of his draws this year.
The Penguins made the playoffs in the penultimate game of the regular season. What if he didn’t score 100? Do they make it for the 13th straight year? I don’t think so.
What’s the definition of “most valuable?” Kucherov had the best offensive season. McDavid is the best offensive player. But McDavid’s team stunk and could have without him.
That matters to me.
Plus, offense isn’t ALL that matters.
Now, if Crosby led the league in points and some jabrone said that he shouldn’t win the MVP, I’d probably have a conniption.
But, here’s where I’m different from most people, I’m smart. Taylor Hall won the MVP just last year and was the leagues 6th leading scorer. He was 8th in points per game among qualifying players.
The Devils wouldn't have made the playoffs without his season. The Penguins don’t make the playoffs without Sid this year. The Lightning do without Kuch. The Oilers are the same without McDavid. Bad.
The precedent has been set that the Hart winner doesn’t need to be the best point producer.
Hell, Lemieux was robbed in 1989. He had 199 points. Gretzky had 168. Gretzky won the Hart.
If THAT can happen, and Crosby’s the far better two way player, why not give him the Hart tonight?