Montreal Canadiens: How accurate was the NHLPA Player Poll?
By Omar L
The Montreal Canadiens had a few players mentioned in the NHLPA Player Poll, and it’s nice to see that others around the league see the same thing we do.
The only time we get to see hear what players think is after a game. Unfortunately, it’s the same generic answers and most importantly the fact that ‘insert player name’ is a good player. The NHLPA Player Poll has been an interesting way to see what others around the NHL think of some of the players they have to think and fortunately, the Montreal Canadiens had a few mentions of their own.
The poll was broken down into five categories: Skills, Opinions, Coaches & Officials, Arenas & Teams, and NHLPA 50th Anniversary.
Carey Price was the first member of the Habs to be mentioned in the poll. 41.0% of players felt that he was the most difficult goaltender to score on, 28.9% more than the next netminder in Jonathan Quick. Most Montreal Canadiens fans would approve of this message. Regardless of the poor season Price has had, he’s still one of the best goaltenders in the league.
It’s tough to ask anyone to stop the scoring chances the team allowed on a nightly basis, and hopefully next year with some structure, he can get back to carrying the mantle of being the best. However, Price’s season didn’t stop 9.7% of players saying that they’d want him on their team if they needed to win one game.
Goals are everything, but you need someone to stop the puck. There have been many moments throughout Price’s career where he’s made a save in the final minutes of the game to secure the victory. You wouldn’t expect anything less from a top-ranked goaltender.
Next mention for the Habs was Shea Weber as 4.1% of players felt that he was the most difficult player to play against (he was specifically mentioned as the third hardest defenceman to play against with 19.4% of the vote). Golf claps are in order there. You want that out of your number one defenceman, and Weber does prevent a lot of shots. Besides the defensive side of things, opponents also have to worry about the 32-year-old’s cannon of a shot. Fans didn’t get to see it as much this season, but it’s still something to fear.
Weber was also mentioned as one of the five players in the league (3.1% of the vote) to be the best role model. Again, this was another thing the poll got perfectly. Weber has had a long career playing in 867 games, a Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2016, and two Olympic Gold medals in 2010 and 2014.
The work that he’s put in both on and off the ice is inspirational for any young player hoping to become an NHL player one day, regardless of position. There’s a reason many NHL coaches reference him first in Habs’ pre-scouts, and Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock never hesitate to mention how good of a person Weber is.
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The city of Montreal was the next acknowledgement being at the top of the players’ favourite rink to play in (24.8%) and having the best rink (28.0%). We can list the individual aspects of the arena like the locker rooms, facilities, historical landmarks, or the ice conditions, but there’s no question that it’s the fans who make it a night.
They’re energetic and loud, and the pop in the arena that comes out after a big goal is incredible to listen to. Speaking of fans, 18.8% of players think Habs fans are the best (third-ranked), so we’re not the only ones acknowledging it.
Finally, the NHLPA 50th Anniversary, which was ‘best of all time’ focused. You can’t mention the best historically without including past members of the Habs. Patrick Roy took the top spot as 39.3% of players felt he was the best goaltender of all time (6.1% higher than the next ranked goalie in Martin Brodeur). Price also made the list tied with other Habs great Ken Dryden. It’s undeniable what Roy and Dryden did in a Montreal Canadiens uniform, and it’s no surprise to see either of them included on the list.
So, how accurate was this poll? Pretty accurate I’d say. No one is looking for pity, but it was heart-warming to see the recognition that the Habs and it’s players get. Hopefully, with the right moves and programs in place, more members of the team will be mentioned in future NHLPA Player Polls.
Next: Learning from the Golden Knights
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