Path: cantaloupe.srv.cs.cmu.edu!das-news.harvard.edu!ogicse!uwm.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!usc!aludra.usc.edu!not-for-mail From: jbarrett@aludra.usc.edu (Jonathan Barrett) Newsgroups: rec.sport.hockey Subject: Re: This year's biggest and worst (opinion)... Keywords: NHL, awards Message-ID: <1pqgq3INN2vn@aludra.usc.edu> Date: 5 Apr 93 09:53:39 GMT Article-I.D.: aludra.1pqgq3INN2vn References: Sender: nntp@aludra.usc.edu Organization: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA NNTP-Posting-Host: aludra.usc.edu I can only comment on the Kings, but the most obvious candidate for pleasant surprise is Alex Zhitnik. He came highly touted as a defensive defenseman, but he's clearly much more than that. Great skater and hard shot (though wish he were more accurate). In fact, he pretty much allowed the Kings to trade away that huge defensive liability Paul Coffey. Kelly Hrudey is only the biggest disappointment if you thought he was any good to begin with. But, at best, he's only a mediocre goaltender. A better choice would be Tomas Sandstrom, though not through any fault of his own, but because some thugs in Toronto decided to threaten his career in order to avoid conceding a goal. Other than that, the award goes to Robert Lang, an uninspiring Czech. Robitaille could easily be MVP, but I'd prefer to give it to Rob Blake who is quietly becoming one of the league's premier defensemen, and if the Kings manage to hold onto him and the rest of our young defense, it could one day mean that we'll let in fewer goals than Hartford. Honorable mentions to Majestic Marty and Warren Rychel. Jon
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