This is the 3rd installment of my MVP series and today’s focus is on the Pacific Division. The Pacific has some of the best players in the NHL and also two of the best teams in the NHL. Let’s see who has been MVP for each team this year.
Anaheim Ducks: The Ducks have been one of the top teams in the NHL this season due in large part to Ryan Getzlaf. He is second in the NHL with 83 points, 17 points behind Sidney Crosby. Getzlaf has 31 goals and 52 assists this season, which has him on track to set a new career high in points. He will most definitely get some Hart Trophy consideration thanks to his individual and team performance. If the Ducks are to get to the Stanley Cup Final, it will be because of their captain Getzlaf.
Calgary Flames: Calgary has not been that good this season but that hasn’t stopped a few players from having good statistical years. This is a hard decision but the best player for Calgary this season has been Mike Cammalleri. Even though he doesn’t lead the team in points this season, he does lead the team in goals with 24. This could be Cammalleri’s last season in Calgary as he will be a free agent this summer. With his solid season, the Flames’ sniper is showing his value to the franchise as they continue to rebuild.
Edmonton Oilers: Edmonton has been a mess this year even though they have so much young talent on this team. Taylor Hall has been amazing for them this year leading the team with 68 points, 12 ahead of everyone else. He is one of the bright young stars in the NHL even while the Oilers continue to struggle.
Los Angeles Kings: The Kings have been up and down this year but still sit very comfortably with a playoff spot. Anze Kopitar has been outstanding for the Kings this season as he leads the team in points with 63 and is setting the Kings up for a deep playoff run. Los Angeles has what it takes to win another Stanley Cup but it’s all in the hands of Kopitar and Jonathan Quick.
Phoenix Coyotes: Phoenix has surprised me this year as they are looking to get into the playoffs after missing out last year. Keith Yandle has been amazing for them this season and he will be one of the reasons they get there. He was snubbed from the U.S hockey team for the Sochi Olympics but he has shown that he deserved consideration leading the Coyotes in points with 51 this season. Hopefully we see the Coyotes in the playoffs this season since Yandle has worked his tail off getting this team there.
San Jose Sharks: San Jose has also made a case to be considered the best team in the NHL this season. They have loads of talent such as Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Joe Pavelski and so much more. The best player on the Sharks this year has been Pavelski. He’s had his breakout year in the NHL as he has 38 goals and 35 assists to add up to 73 points for San Jose, which leads the team. He’s closing in on the first forty-goal season of his career and is most likely going to take the Sharks very deep in the playoffs if he continues to play at this level.
Vancouver Canucks: What a mess it has been in Vancouver this season. From John Tortorella getting suspended to Ryan Kesler almost getting traded, to Roberto Luongo actually getting traded, it’s been just bad. The best player this year has been Henrik Sedin. He leads the team in points with 46, which are just four more than this brother Daniel Sedin. It doesn’t look like Vancouver will make the playoffs either so it may all be for nothing.
Stay tuned for Thursday as I give the MVP Awards to the Central Division teams.