Flyers

Sergei Bobrovsky is an MVP Candidate

By Kyle Scott

Published: Apr 23rd, 2013 · 10:11 AM EDT

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One day, I, young Russian, win MVP

I’m not trolling you, but these things happened: Paul Holmgren traded his captain and leading goal scorer and then they went on to win the Stanley Cup the next season… and now Jeff Carter is the fourth leading goal scorer in the league. James van Riemsdyk was traded after being signed to a six-year extension and he’s 14th in the league in goal scoring (call that trade a push, because Luke Schenn projects for a similar career arc to JVR). Sergei Bobrovsky was traded to Columbus and then the Flyers went out and got his backup, and now Bobrovsky might be the best player in the league.

ESPN insider Craig Custance on the Hart Trophy race— that goes to the league’s MVP:

It wasn’t one of those games where goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky strapped the Columbus Blue Jackets to his back and carried them to two points, but last night’s 4-3 win in San Jose was his 19th of the season. And it was another tight game.

In their stunning playoff run, Columbus may have one of the toughest season-ending schedules, with a West Coast trip at the worst time. Six of the Blue Jackets’ final seven games were on the road but so far, it hasn’t mattered. The Blue Jackets are 4-1 on the trip heading into an absolutely huge game Thursday against the Stars. Every single one of those games have been decided by one goal, which is just another reason why Bobrovsky has been so valuable. He’s keeping Columbus in games, and he’s winning the close ones. Like last night in San Jose.

“You could feel the pressure,” coach Todd Richards said in his postgame media session. “You could feel it out on the ice.”

Bobrovsky has responded to that pressure. And if he carries Columbus into the postseason, that changes the dynamic of the Hart Trophy race considerably. Members of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association received their awards ballots during the weekend, and an MVP race that was all but done a month ago will come down to the final week.

Yeah no really. The Flyers may have traded away the league MVP GOALIE last summer to make way for the $51 million nutbag who might get amnestied this summer.

So, to recap: Traded captain and leading goal scoring– won Stanley Cup.

Traded long-term signed forward– among league’s leading scorers.

Traded young goalie– MIGHT WIN LEAGUE MVP.

Admitted young players gotten in return weren’t quite ready– missed playoffs.

These are fireable offenses.