Has Kovalchuk turned into a Selke caliber ?

[Volodya Krutov]

He's been struggling offensively but damn what about his defence ? backchecking, positioning, PK, the whole skillset is here now. Legit 2 way forward.

Could he be a Selke candidate in a foreseeable future ?

Click to read more...

 

[Devils Trap]

Not even close. He's gotten really good but no selke

 

[DevilChuk*]

Probably not.. even if his defensive skills were up there (which they aren't), his reputation will never allow him to win it.

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

I don't know about that, but he sure has looked amazing defensively. He's completely turned into a two-way forward.

 

[Reid Boucher]

That's a stretch.

But as everyone else said, he's an amazing 2 way player now.

 

[Classic Devil]

If he ends the season with a goodly number of goals, and 2/3 of them shorthanded, he'll win it whether he deserves it or not.

 

[Rhodes 81]

not even close. he's still not even top 5 on our team amongst defensive forwards, which is no slight against him. he's good defensively now, but he's not anywhere near the best defensive forward in the league.

 

[Saugus]

He's gotten a lot better defensively, but he's still not up to Selke calibre. He might help Zajac win one though if they both keep up their defensive play.

 

[Devilsfan92]

If he ends the season with a goodly number of goals, and 2/3 of them shorthanded, he'll win it whether he deserves it or not.

That would be amazing.

20 shorthanded goals sounds good.

 

[Volodya Krutov]

If he ends the season with a goodly number of goals, and 2/3 of them shorthanded, he'll win it whether he deserves it or not.

Not that much, but that's what I'm talking about. He was a +/- positive PK player last season, with already 2 SHer and plenty of scoring chances, he's already close to that again.


I'm not saying he's a Selke, I was just being curious. How PK is considered in Selke voting ?

 

[Peter Sidorkiewicz]

Steve Yzerman's first few seasons in the league was all offense and not much attention to defensively resposibilities. Over time he turned himself into a Selke caliber player so it could happen for Kovy.

 

[frankiedue]

You kind of need to built up some hype in the media to get Selke consideration. If Kovy was always assigned to play against the other team's top lines (ala Pandolfo/Madden), and he shut them down, then he would gain consideration. I believe Deboer likes to use Elias against other team's top lines. In fact, maybe Elias should be in consideration for Selke.

 

[Cowbell232]

"Has Kovalchuk turned into a Selke caliber ?"

A Selke caliber what? Cause, I mean, he's not a river. I'm being an *******, I know, but you need to finish your thoughts before you hit post.

 

[Getzo5]

Serious question.

Are you smoking pot?

If he ends the season with a goodly number of goals, and 2/3 of them shorthanded, he'll win it whether he deserves it or not.

Nope.

He isn`t a center and doesn`t take faceoffs. He can score twice as much and still not even get a nomination.

See: Marian Hossa getting hosed last year. 2nd best PKer in the league (after Bergeron, who rightfully won the award), consistently one of the best two-way forwards, the best two-way winger since 2008. Voted 13th or 16th, I was so mad I forgot.

But hey, Callahan was 6th.

ROFLcopter flies away.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

he isn't even the best defensive forward on his line.

but if he racks up a bunch of SHG he might. even if he doesnt deserve it.

 

[Volodya Krutov]

Serious question.

Are you smoking pot?

Do you sincerely think that kind of condescending behavior couldn't be avoided ?

Serious question.


Sorry if I'm no puck genius pal.