I think the bump was procedural since it was called into question, not as one emphasizing the wisdom of the past GMs.
What was done in 2007 has no bearing on what we do today, and what we've been doing for years, at least as long as I've been doing the ATD. The fact you have long standing members like TDMM, HT and others pushing back against this ridiculous notion only reinforces that ignoring a current season, up until the selection, at the very least, makes no sense.
Trying to throw out what a player has done in the current season, especially done before a pick is made, is literally ignoring reality. It's that simple. If we start voting after the regular season is over and John Carlson, for example, is still way out in front of everyone in scoring among D, and has supporting numbers across the board that makes him a virtual lock for a Norris finalist nod, I'm giving Carlson the body of work he's accomplished up until the point of voting. I'm not giving him a Norris because that hasn't happened but ignoring the dominant year he put up? Not a chance.
But I know my limits and I'm not saying another word on the subject.
