The M.V.P. Debate Poll

We recently polled six NHL writers on the M.V.P. debate and who they would vote for on other major awards. First up are three writers from the Western Conference we polled this week

1. Who would receive your M.V.P. vote if you had to vote today?

2. In order of 1-3, who are your top three Hart Trophy finalists

3. Norris Trophy Winner

4. Vezina Trophy Winner

5. Calder Trophy Winner

6. If you had to pick one player to build your team around who would that be?

1. Pavel Datsyuk

2. Pavel Datsyuk, Alexander Ovechkin, Zach Parise

3. Nicklas Lidstrom, Zdeno Chara, Mike Green

4. Tim Thomas, Nicklas Backstrom, Steve Mason

5. Bobby Ryan

6. Sidney Crosby

1. Alexander Ovechkin

2. Alexander Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin, Miikka Kiprusoff

3. Nicklas Lidstrom

4. Miikka Kiprusoff

5. Steve Mason

6. Steve Mason

1. Pavel Datsyuk

2. Pavel Datsyuk, Evgeni Malkin, Alexander Ovechkin

3. Nik Lidstrom

4. Martin Brodeur (for sentimental reasons)

5. Steve Mason, Pekka Rinne, Bobby Ryan

6. Pavel Datsyuk

Even though we have a very small sampling, things do not look very good for Evgeni Malkin winning the MVP. In fact I’ve been told he has no chance. Kevin Allen of USA Today polled 11 NHL writers and 10 of them picked Alexander Ovechkin and one picked Zach Parise.

I was able to get 6 writers to participate in the poll ( will post the 3 east writers tomorrow) but I spoke to 16 writers who didn’t want their votes public.

Of the 10 writers who didn’t want to publicize who they would vote for at this time, only one of them told me they would vote for Malkin and this writer was from Pittsburgh

I’m not even sure Malkin will finish second in M.V.P voting. I spoke to eight western conference writers counting the three who participated in the poll and Six of the eight told me at this time Datsyuk would be there selection.

Evgeni Malkin is likely to become the first player in 5 years not to win the Hart Trophy after winning the art ross trophy.