newfy
Registered User
- Jul 28, 2010
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He had a claim between 2001 and 2003, but he never cemented it. So, I'd lean no. He got robbed of a Hart in the Theodore year by a completely unethical Montreal voter who blatantly strategically voted for the Hart (left Iginla off his ballot, he gets any vote on that ballot he wins over Theodore). He won a Pearson and had 2 2nd place Hart finishes the 3 seasons before the lockout. Answering who the best player between 2001-02 and 2003-04 is almost impossible. Guys who had solid claims entering that era either had significant injury issues (Forsberg) or had a weird mid-career fall off (Jagr). For that 3 year span, you are basically left deciding between Forsberg, Iginla, Naslund, Brodeur, MSL, Pronger, Lidstrom, Sakic, and maybe a couple others.
Its strange in retrospect. Expected elite stars who were meant to replace the former greats all had injuries or fell off (Forsberg, Bure, Kariya, and Lindros). It created a power vacuum to an extent. People seriously discussed guys like Bertuzzi as the best player in the league.
I agree with this post, except I might lean a little more towards yes. Around 2002 when fans talked I think Iginla would get the vote for best player in the NHL. His all around game and goal scoring for a season or two had a strong claim for best player. It didnt last long and other guys also had a claim but I think he had the best one. Iginals best season Forsberg didnt play so he wasnt better. Naslund got that talk but people also talked about his line being a part of his success where Iginla was more of a one man show. The one guy who might've had a claim to challenge him that year was Lidstrom. His style wasnt flashy though and he was really just started to get competely respected league wide but he had the second most hardware with a norris and conn smythe that year. I would say Iginla was still better though and I'm a wings fan
If that idiotic habs writer didnt leave Iginla completely off the ballot strategically he has a Hart, Pearson, Richard and art ross in 2002, I dont think anyone would even ask this question if he cleaned up at those awards. For that season alone he likely was the best in the world.