Player Discussion Mikko Koivu (Part II)
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BagHead
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I'm actually a bit upset about that, too. It's not born of surprise (who can be surprised he's going unnoticed again?) but instead out of a desire to see great play get rewarded. The guy never gets the love for the Selke, even though he puts up good points and plays excellent defense. I mean, Chris Draper, John Madden and Mike Peca won this trophy, how does a guy who's clearly superior offensively and just as good defensively get consistently overlooked?
Koivu should go play for Chicago, LA or Boston. They've got a monopoly going.
Koivu should go play for Chicago, LA or Boston. They've got a monopoly going.
BagHead
Registered User
This I think is actually the reason he hasn't won it. The last 5 Selke trophies have gone to guys who have won the cup. The one before those was Ryan Kesler, and before that one it was Datsyuk 3 years straight (cup winner), Brind'Amour twice (cup winner, including the year he won that first one), Draper (cup winner) and Jere Lehtinen (cup winner). So that's 1 Selke in the last 13 years that hasn't gone to someone that hasn't won a cup, though he did get within one game of winning it that year. Probably safe to say there's a Cup bias going on with the voting.
Exposure from a long Playoff run definitely helps. Name recognition plays a big part in most of the awards.
With the run the Wild are they are going to get more press so that should help the cause for getting votes.
I think he's figured out that with .granlund on the line he's got to shoot the puck. The whole line has a nice blend of passing, dangling, and shooting right now. They are fun to watch. I think an opponent would be tempted to stick a line on them and hammer them physically, but you can't hit what you can't catch. Granlund isn't fast like Zucker, but they both are quick and agile, and even the old man has a few tricks up his sleeve.
Bruce Granville
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- Oct 11, 2014
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SupremeNachos
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SupremeNachos
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hirawl
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- Dec 27, 2010
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One of the most underrated pair of hands in the league. He doesn't have the ability of million little fancy moves per second but his stick handling is very clean and fast. He uses his long reach and takes the puck from one side of his body to the other quicker than almost anybody I remember.
That forehand - backhand - top shelf SO move is one example. The speed he makes the puck travel some 6 feet from his forehand to backhand is what makes it so effective. Even though every goalie knows it's coming.
The quickness of his stick is also very deceptive and he uses it a lot on the PP to find open passing lanes. Pay attention to how he moves the puck before passing it to a teammate. It's so clean and effortless looking that it kind of gets unnoticed.
Another example is also a sort signature move of his. Coming down the right wing with the puck, getting close to the corner, the D keeping him outside he slows down for a fraction of a second. Then takes the puck way out to his backhand taking one power stride at the same time and beats the D outside and takes it to the front of the net. His footspeed is really not something that beats today's Ds outside. It's the speed and distance the puck travels during the move that makes it possible for him to even try that.
You don't see Koivu mishandling or coughing up the puck much.
That forehand - backhand - top shelf SO move is one example. The speed he makes the puck travel some 6 feet from his forehand to backhand is what makes it so effective. Even though every goalie knows it's coming.
The quickness of his stick is also very deceptive and he uses it a lot on the PP to find open passing lanes. Pay attention to how he moves the puck before passing it to a teammate. It's so clean and effortless looking that it kind of gets unnoticed.
Another example is also a sort signature move of his. Coming down the right wing with the puck, getting close to the corner, the D keeping him outside he slows down for a fraction of a second. Then takes the puck way out to his backhand taking one power stride at the same time and beats the D outside and takes it to the front of the net. His footspeed is really not something that beats today's Ds outside. It's the speed and distance the puck travels during the move that makes it possible for him to even try that.
You don't see Koivu mishandling or coughing up the puck much.
This season Koivu looks like the Koivu I've learned to know from the Finnish NT. A true leader, captain and legit #1C. And I love it.
He is also a faceoff beast, just like seen last night. I think it is an impotant piece for the Wild to have Koivu and Haula who can both consistently win FOs at 55-ish %. In fact I'd love to know his FO% in "tough spots" (yea, I know this is hard to determine). I just mean that I have very rarely seen him lose an important faceoff - like when you are defending a lead during the final minute on 6-on-5.
He is also a faceoff beast, just like seen last night. I think it is an impotant piece for the Wild to have Koivu and Haula who can both consistently win FOs at 55-ish %. In fact I'd love to know his FO% in "tough spots" (yea, I know this is hard to determine). I just mean that I have very rarely seen him lose an important faceoff - like when you are defending a lead during the final minute on 6-on-5.
Congrats to the Captain on 600pts!
BTW - whatever happened to that old Beast Mode Koivu pic with the glowing eyes? Can't find it even on google.
BTW - whatever happened to that old Beast Mode Koivu pic with the glowing eyes? Can't find it even on google.
I found this one... but this wasn't THE one we used to use around here...
I'm looking for the one based off this same image used here...
I'm looking for the one based off this same image used here...
Randy BoBandy
Cheeseburger Party
i remember that one. He definitely had those laser eyes pointed at the refs after they missed the high sticking call last night.
- Aug 5, 2011
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I remember creating that image a couple years ago; lens flared eyes. Can't find it anywhere, though. Think it was lost with my old yfrog account.
Hipster Koivu survived, though.
Dr Jan Itor
Registered User
Should be
1. Bergeron
2. Koivu
3. Kesler
Based on turnover statistics Kesler is not in the same league with Koivu, and especially not with Bergeron.
elmaco
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- Feb 1, 2017
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I hate this. Reputation should not win you awards, Bergeron is good but not a god over his peers, overrated af.
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