Tomorrow, my feature on Jonathan Quick’s Vezina Trophy chances will get published. This shouldn’t really come as a surprise, but Quick has huge support in the Kings’ locker room. Quick enters today’s games with the most shutouts in the NHL (10), the second-best goals-against average (1.89) and the third-best save percentage (.931). Depending on how you look at it, Quick could be considered No. 1 and No. 2 in the latter two categories. St. Louis’ Brian Elliott has a 1.48 goals-against average and a .943 save percentage, but he has played only 36 games. How will that factor in? Do Elliott’s magnificent numbers mean more than his relatively low games-played total? (The trophy, incidentally, is voted for by the league’s general managers.) It doesn’t seem to matter to Quick’s teammates, including Drew Doughty, who gave this strong endorsement?
DOUGHTY: `If he’s in a different market, somewhere like Vancouver on anywhere on the East Coast, I think there’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that he would get the Vezina. I think he kind of gets punished for playing here, just because he doesn’t get that recognition. In a way, it’s not fair, because I don’t think there’s any way that any goalie has played better than him this year. He might not have the same amount of wins as some other goalies, but in a lot of those losses he had, he let up one goal and we didn’t get any. He definitely gets under-recognized, and if he doesn’t win the Vezina, I think it kind of got stolen from him.’’
You tell em Drew!!!
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Can’t say it much better than Drew just did. Well said DD!
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Conspiracy vote for Quick: Since the GMs vote for it, they all give him the Vezina, thereby driving up his demands, forcing Lombardi to either overpay for him and reduce his roster flexibility or move him and be without the best goalie this franchise ever developed.
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Shakes Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 1:47 pm
@FKA PakiFro,
counter argument: the same could be said of nearly any player voted on by the GM’s
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 1:57 pm
@Shakes,
Oh boy..here’s a hell of a stat for the east coast bias folks..
“Without prejudice or further investigation, it is notable that since the Vezina became an individual player award in 1982, only three goalies from teams outside the Eastern time zone have won it: Calgary’s Miikka Kiprusoff in 2006, Chicago’s Ed Belfour in 1991 and 1993 and Edmonton’s Grant Fuhr in 1988.”
http://sports.nationalpost.com/2012/04/03/nhl-playoff-predictor-quick-who-is-the-leagues-best-goaltender/
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Gustavo Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 6:38 pm
@FKA PakiFro,
It’s IMPOSSIBLE to overpay Quick…He has EARNED every dollar he is going to get from DL. Unlike some defense man I will not mention but who held the team hostage over the summer and then failed to produce to his pay grade.
Oh screw it, I’ll mention his name, lol. If Doughty got 7 mill based on his future potential, then Quick deserves more for having PERFORMED first.
The only conspiracy here would be for management to try to belittle Quick’s worth.
PAY THE MAN!! HE’S EARNED IT!!
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Just to rub things in a bit. At the beginning of the season Weekes didn’t have Quick in his top 15 of the NHL.
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pr0cess Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 1:40 pm
@KC23, Maybe if weeks was ever a good goalie he would understand.
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DC Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 1:49 pm
@pr0cess, +1000
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PhillyKing Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 8:46 pm
@pr0cess, Winner! We don’t need to go any further than this!
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 1:51 pm
@KC23,
He did, however, have Bernier’s mask as the best.
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pr0cess Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 1:58 pm
@FKA PakiFro, and after that story it was the Hollywood people that cried about the mask? hmmm
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 2:36 pm
@pr0cess,
The mask issue was much later, but we can blame weekes for that as well.
Deke'r Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 2:01 pm
@KC23, ….Weekes is just weaks…
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Neil Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 2:23 pm
@KC23, I believe it was also weekes that said murray would get coach of the year. Wasn’t a very educated guess.
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and not an obviously in that whole mouth full… nice work DD
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Deke'r Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 2:03 pm
@Stuart, …”obviously” is Kopis’ thing….
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Stuart Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 2:14 pm
@Deke’r, as is “it is what it is” but DD has been known to overuse the “obviously”s too!
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I thought elliot only played 26 or less???? Not 36
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Lake Forest Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 1:44 pm
@Lake Forest, nevermind I am wrong (as usual)
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Stuart Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 1:46 pm
@Lake Forest, when I hear you talk like that, I know you’ve been browbeaten too many times in that house of women/pain… LOL
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Lake Forest Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 1:50 pm
@Stuart, I’m sure I’ve told you (as I’ve said it many times)…
I am outnumbered 4 – 1 regarding the women in my household
Luckily (for now) 2 of those girls don’t talk….
but once they do, all they will do is talk back to daddy.
Stuart Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 1:55 pm
@Leif Forest, just because they don’t talk yet, doesn’t mean they don’t already know they own their daddy… LOLsigh
I have one on the way and if it turns out to be a girl, I’ll be right there with you, but the count will 3-2, them, so I’ll still be somewhat sane.
Lake Forest Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 2:01 pm
@Stuart, Congrats man! I’ll buy you the first beer!
then if it’s a boy you can still buy me the sympathy beer
Stuart Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 2:15 pm
@Stuart, Thanks brother! and it’s a deal!
you’ll get that sympathy beer regardless…but don’t tell my wife! LMAO
Subby Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 1:49 pm
@Lake Forest, :[
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tacomakingsfan Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 1:55 pm
@Lake Forest,
It puts the lotion on it’s skin or else it gets the hose again!!!! Lol
It’s ok… just ignore the wife like I do…
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I want Quick’s number retired in our rafters next to all thise Cups he helped bring us! ; )
Dream BIG!!
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Do Elliott’s magnificent numbers mean more than his relatively low games-played total?
No. Way.
I don’t know where the line is drawn for GM’s and the Vezina, but any goalie winning it should at least be in the top 10 of games played.
Where’s Elliott you ask?
Top 10? Yeah right.
Top 20? Nope.
Top 30? Sorry, try again.
#34 in games played. No way is he a Vezina candidate, let alone winner in my eyes.
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ashykins Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 1:53 pm
@KingsNewsDaily (formerly wavesinair), i think jim fox put it the best way. how can you be the number 1 goaltender in the league if you arent considered the number one on your team
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Newf Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 2:03 pm
@ashykins, leave it to Foxy to tell it like it is.
great statement.
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KC23 Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 1:54 pm
@KingsNewsDaily (formerly wavesinair), I didn’t realise this until just recently. Yeah, I have to agree you just can’t be in the running with such a low total of games. I actually had Elliot as the winner before I realised he has so few games.
Quick wins.
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DesertKing Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 1:56 pm
@KingsNewsDaily (formerly wavesinair),
Perfect!!
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Deke'r Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 2:10 pm
@KingsNewsDaily (formerly wavesinair), ….can’t happen…that would be like giving the Silver Slugger Award to a guy that went 5 for 5 in the one game he played all season…..total games played has to be considered…
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rogiesbackup Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 4:19 pm
@KingsNewsDaily (formerly wavesinair), Great point!! Might as well give consideration to a back-up goalie who’s played ONE game and has 1.0 GA average!
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http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=625675
Nhl.com agrees
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KingsNewsDaily (formerly wavesinair) Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 2:05 pm
@stillKingly,
That’s a beautiful thing.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 3:20 pm
@stillKingly, …and the east coast homing is heavy in the comments section.
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Ummmm sorry guys you forgot the Hart Trophy as well… If you give Quick 2 goals a game on an average in the 21 losses they are likely to have the Presidents cup trophy also on lock. Quick has kept this team in the playoff hunt all year long and if you only look at statistics you might give the others a nod…otherwise he gets both awards hands down..Curse for playing on the west coast.
Playoffs here we come!
P.S. Lombardi should rewards Quick for salvaging his job…becasuse if they don’t make the playoffs he is on the unempployment line!
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Deke'r Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 2:13 pm
@kngfan004, ….Quick will be rewarded…don’t worry aboot that…what needs to be addressed is where will the money for the “reward” come from (salary cap)…
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KC23 Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 2:22 pm
@Deke’r, I think DD should pitch in a couple mil of his to Quick. DD and his agent are fricken thiefs.
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Didn’t Elliot also play the majority of those games after Hitchcock came in and changed them defensively? He wasn’t exposed to the early part of the season when they were playing poorly, unlike Quick, who had to suffer through the long goal drought of 2011-12. Quick is the man, his teammates know it, his coaching staff knows it, management knows it, the fans know it (“D-fense!”), the All-Atar games shows it, and the fact that the Kings are where they at while being one of the bottom 3 offensive teams all year proves it. The only thing he hasn’t done is score a goal. GKG!!!
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Stuart Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 1:58 pm
@DesertKing, no kidding, time to re-write the record books (well, almost time) for a bottom 3 team winning the division… or has that already happened at some point? D’oh! Maybe some birdwatcher can help a brotha out…
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Duncanz Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 10:24 am
@Stuart, Sufferin’ succotash Shtu -it !
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 2:04 pm
@DesertKing,
Actually quite the opposite. Elliot was lights out from the start while Halak struggled. The Blues were only 6-7 when Hitchcock came on so not a bottom-dweller record, but hardly playoff contender either.
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Another article: http://mcaf.ee/e1xpk
And a losing record when only giving up a single goal is disgusting 8-6-3
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Coach Tom Thibodeau was characterized by the Chicago Tribune as “taking a risk by calling out Bulls”. Steve Rosenbloom reports that while not saying his players quit, he said “they let go of the rope”. Need to start keeping an eye on this guy’s quotes along with DS”. Remember no BS with DS.
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Duncanz Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 10:21 am
@JackKent Cooke, Brent Sutter takes exception to that comparison.
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I like that Hammond points out that the voting is done by GMs. I have the feeling that if it were a sportswriter-voted award, Quick wouldn’t even make the top 3.
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We must be feeling pretty good because no one’s mentioned Carter today (unless I missed something).
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Off topic on this thread, but Renney got hit with a $10K fine for his dopey remarks about the officiating last night. HA HA!
Oh yeah, Quicker for the Vezina hands down
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It was nice to see some truth and sanity from somebody from Toronto. Yes, DD is biased for Quick, but he is from Toronto, and after seeing how Toronto treats us in other areas (video review, fines, clock investigations, etc.), it was refreshing to hear DD’s viewpoint.
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paige Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 5:23 pm
@DesertKing, isn’t DD8 from Ontario?
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OscarMollersBeard Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 7:28 pm
@paige, Toronto is in Ontario.
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It’s always tough comparing goalies on different teams cause the quality of shots they face night in and night out differs. I’d love to see stats on how many grade A chances each goalie faces on average, and their save percentage on such. There’s no denying that the defense the Kings play in front of Quick is usually stellar. I’m sure when a goalie like Dubnyk dreams of goalie heaven, the Kings defense is playing in front of him.
The biggest thing about Quick this season is his concentration rarely ever lapses; he allows so few ‘bad’ goals that when he does it sticks out like a sore thumb. That and the most amazing athleticism I’ve ever seen in a goalie (no less a KINGS goalie) is what makes him stand head-and-shoulders above. Now… if ONLY his puckhandling was a little better. It’s funny that I’m more worried when he’s behind the goal handling the puck than when Shea Weber is lining up for a blast against him.
All this said, I’d be surprised if Lundquist doesnt win the Vezina, just because it’s the RANGERS.
But BIG props to Quick that he’s even being seriously considered.
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RobSD Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 3:18 pm
@bbb7,
I wish he would never leave the crease. Would you say he gives the puck away or makes a bad play 50% of the time? He’s been better this year but still terrible with the puck. Does he remind anyone of The Dominator? His flexibility and flopability?
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Duncanz Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 10:18 am
@RobSD, @bbb7
Nice discussion, you guys. Great points.
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People are freaking out over Quick getting this much attention saying this is a slap too the Rangers and Lundqvist and that if quick was in their division he wouldn’t last etc
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Deke'r Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 2:22 pm
@Subby, ….with thier “D” men that’s possible….
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gkg!!! Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 2:26 pm
@Deke’r, if you look at the rangers schedule most of there losses come from teams in the western conference.
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SoooOoooooo if a Norris Trophy finalist is “worth” 7,000,000.00 then what does a Vezina Trophy candidate command?
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Deke'r Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 2:23 pm
@Harrison Merkin, ….we shall see…
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Lundqvist v. Quick
Rangers GF 214 [2.71 GF/G]
Kings GF 181 [2.26 GF/G]
___________________________
Quick Save PCT .931 / GAA 1.89 / 35W
Lundqvist Save PCT .932 / GAA 1.92 / 38W
Ho many more wins would Mr. Quick have than Mr. Lundqvist if the team in front of him had scored 10 more goals this year let alone another 30? Each goalie faces just about the same number of shots per game give or take a block or a post. I for one think that Quick needs to be in this category a few more years in a row to get heavy consideration but there is no doubt that the Kings finally have an elite goaltender that will garner league wide respect…even those pesky east coast analysts are starting to come around.
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Deke'r Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 3:44 pm
@Harrison Merkin, ….Quicker probably won’t win this season….but shouldn’t he at least be the runner up?…
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Harrison Merkin Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 3:49 pm
@Deke’r, I would think so. He and Lundqvist are the only two in the top 5 in all categories so sounds like 1-2 to me. I’m just saying that until he plays this way over a few seasons he’ll likely not get the full nod. GKG
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Whatever, Quick is not focused on winning the Vezina! Its about the CUP BABY!! Win the CUP and you shut everyones mouths.
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Jody Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 2:54 pm
@Secret Squirrel, +1000
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LuckyEleven Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 2:55 pm
@Secret Squirrel, AMEN TO THAT!! Quickie has been stellar whether they give it to Lundqvist or not.
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rogiesbackup Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 4:33 pm
@LuckyEleven, G_D if we go against the Rangers in Stanley Cup playoffs and WE win the cup!!
Quick has to get Vezina!!!
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In games where JQ has given up 0 or 1 goal in regulation, the Kings are 19-5-6. That looks terrific except when you realize the Kings have LOST 11 games when their goalie virtually slammed the door shut. If he loses the Vezina, those 11 games are why and his teammates will be the ones who stole it from him.
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Jody Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 2:53 pm
@face wash, NHL should notice that though and give him the Vezina.
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Deke'r Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 3:47 pm
@Jody, ….won’t give the award to shoulda, woulda, coulda….and rightly so….
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The NHL obviously wants the Vezina to go to Hollywood.
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yeah drew! you tell them how its done!
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All the Rangers fans are crying like babies all because there’s a little competition between Quick and Hank. Both of which are fine goalies.
If we had the same amount of goals as the Rangers and you randomly add those goals to various games the kings would have any where from 8-20 more points.
We are currently 14 points below the rangers. The record for the kings facing eastern conference teams is 7-11 while the rangers is 8-10. So your calling our conference weak when your record is similar to the kings when facing the western conference.
Also while Hank has helped the rangers to be one of the top teams thats definitely a team effort to accomplish something like that. The kings are battling for a playoff spot which quick is without a doubt the reason why the kings are in that position.
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rogiesbackup Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 4:29 pm
@gkg!!!, Good point!
Keep in mind too that Vezina IS and individual record not a TEAM record.
Quick IS the reason why the Kings are where they are right now NOT like the Rangers who are good because of the WHOLE team!!
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The players get it too: The West is held to a different standard than Canada and the East Coast. It’s good to see that, because they can see different perspectives, since (virtually) none grew up around LA.
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Qicker got It!!!!!
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Quicker that is…
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‘Win One For The (potentially) New Kipper’.
maybe not. Doesn’t quite roll off the tongue plus we would have to abscond with DS’s ballot slip.
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Duncanz Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 4:23 pm
@ForumFan,
“There you go again!”
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Seems like as far as JQ is concerned the priority is always 2 points. Which means to me the only named award that counts is Sir Stanley with a Jonathan Quick engravement.
GKG!
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Something to think about:
Rogie was standing on his head in the seventies/eighties against Ken Dryden, Bernie Parent who had BETTER defensive core in front of him yet Rogie didn’t get the Vezina.
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puck73 Reply:
April 3rd, 2012 at 4:39 pm
@rogiesbackup, Rogie was great, but we all know Gary Edwards was better.
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This whole thread shoulda been called the Vez-I-na dialogues…
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Why don’t Kings fan chant his name after great saves? Quicker. Quicker. Quicker!!! Quicker!!
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Duncanz Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 10:14 am
@Quicker Quicker,
In Boston, they’re yelling,
“Peggy, Peggy, Peggy!”
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http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=625675
Eat your hearts out, Haters!!
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I’d not mind the two Vezina finalists meeting in the finals…;)
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Don’t get yourself fined for speaking against the NHL Drew! God knows they’re ALWAYS fair and unbiased, and ceratinly beyond reproach! I digress.
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