John Druce Award: After Two Rounds

We're weeding down the field of guys still in the running for the JDA. Of course, this Conference Finals section is usually the make or break period, as John Druce and the Capitals were eliminated in the Prince of Wales Finals by the Boston Bruins in 1990. But now, we get to the nitty-gritty for the players looking to be the next Druce. As always, goals count more than assists.

IN THE RUNNING

1. Sean Bergenheim, Tampa Bay Lightning (7g, 1a): In 11 games, Bergenheim has been a force for the Bolts, leading them in goal scoring and tied for the playoff led, as well. A guy who was a journeyman is making a name for himself and actually showing how smart Steve Yzerman as a GM for picking him up in late Summer off the free agency market.

2. Logan Couture, San Jose Sharks (6g, 6a): Couture is in the running for the Calder Trophy, but at the same time-- I don't think anyone really thought he could explode like this, being primary scoring for the Sharks in the playoffs. Though he could be a household star soon, the young forward is a guy who will be the primary scorer in the next two years, for sure.

3. Brad Marchand, Boston Bruins (5g, 6a): Leading the Bruins in points, the aggressor for the Bruins is getting the goals in the grimy places, as he has a nose for the net.....so to speak. While the top guys for the Bruins have been crippled for one reason or another, Marchand is showing the prowess that he had in the junior leagues and making it finally translate when it's needed most.

HONORABLE MENTIONS (But Eliminated): Joel Ward, Nashville Predators; James van Riemsdyk, Philadelphia Flyers.

The John Druce Award: After One Round

So, one round has come and gone; thus we have to recap the first round of who's the "John Druce" of their team. Of course, John Druce known for picking up the slack for the injured Dino Ciccarelli in the 1990 Playoffs for the Washington Capitals putting up 14 goals and 17 points out of nowhere. Obviously, goals will count for more-- but it's really about the top point getter that you'd never expect.

1. Ryane Clowe, San Jose-- 4g, 3a: Sure, you could say Clowe's performance this season with 20+ goals wouldn't make him a shock, but since he's leading the Sharks in goals and points after one round over Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau is a bit of an upset special for the team.
2. Chris Kelly, Boston-- 3g, 3a: For a guy who had two goals in five points in 24 regular season games, Kelly has come through pretty big for the Bruins in the second season. Tied with Nathan Horton in goals and second in points; the impact from Kelly's trade is coming through when it's been most needed.

3. Mike Fisher, Nashville-- 3g, 3a: While his points total will probably go down in a more checking role against the Canucks top line, his contribution in the Ducks series has been pretty solid and shows what he could actually provide, outside of the defensive side of his game.

4. Alexandre Burrows, Vancouver-- 3g, 3a : With the top line being shut down, Burrows came up pretty big for the Canucks. His clutch goal in Game Seven solidified him as a top provider and I'm sure there will be more to come of that, as the first line will be targeted for shutdown against the Predators.

Honorable Mentions: Joel Ward, Nashville; James van Riemsdyk, Philadelphia; Joe Pavelski, San Jose

Friday Five: One Game Down Per Series

It's Friday, the First Round has started. There's not much else to say about it.....and that happens.

1. After just one game, which is going to be the series to look at based on that one??

After all the series have been through one game, the Sharks/Kings match-up could be a solid one, if only because Jonathan Quick seems to have gotten his groove back and took up a barrage of shot-- though who knows if he can keep it up. Also the Bruins/Habs match-up should be a solid one, like it always is. But the issue is that with one game, you really can't tell how teams will react, because the team that lost could switch it up enough to win Game Two, which change a dynamic in a series.

2. Is there a chance for a big upset that's not a 4/5 match-up??

The Habs/Bruins series has an upset special written all over it, which could mean Claude Julien's job. Carey Price was solid in Game One and the Americans on the Habs-- Brian Gionta and Scott Gomez-- took control of the first game and the defense shut down the Bruins' offense. I still also think that the Sharks/Kings and Capitals/Rangers series could have some upset tendencies, but the top seed will come out after some adjustments.

3. Even with things going, the Winnipeg situation doesn't go away-- but with a lot of places saying the move from Phoenix back to Winnipeg is done; can the fans and team regain the desire??

I definitely think there's going to be some bummed out people, but that's the way business happens. Hard to have intensity when your fate for next year is being decided without your control and when the season hasn't even finished for you. Also, with papers telling Red Wings fans not to wear their team's colors so the area doesn't come off bad, like they can't sell out a playoff game-- it's a dire situation. At the same time, they had a lot of time to make this team work in that area and if they can't make it work for one reason or another....what other option do you have. You can only watch something suffer for so long before you have to put the issue to bed.

4. With the Draft lottery-- why can't the winner actually get the first overall pick?? Why the limit silliness??

It's the oddest thing because I've been questioned about this and I think it's dumb for the team that does win the lottery not to get the first pick. If you're going to do it like that-- why even have the lottery?? Why not have it so that the worst team gets the first pick outright in order to actually stop this dramatic crap that doesn't work in the end. The Devils should have the first overall pick this draft-- not the Oilers.

5. John Druce Award?? Really??

Hey, if Mark Messier can get a leadership award-- why can't John Druce have the unsuspecting playoff performer award?? While the Conn Smythe, at times, rewards the surprise performers, often they go unnoticed. Plus, more hardware is always something good that the NHL wants to do-- why not go for it?? It gives John Druce some time in the limelight each year, too.

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That's that. Any suggestions, Scotty.Wazz@Gmail.com is the place to send it all to. Enjoy the weekend playoff action, folks.

Tracking the John Druce Award

For the hardcore Capitals fan, the legend of John Druce is one that is forever embedded into the minds of people who are looking for the unlikeliest of people to dominate and take over the scoring while the star players are hurt or slumping. The John Druce story is still one many remember when it comes to the playoffs.

For those unfamiliar with the story, during the Capitals 1990 playoff run; top scorer Dino Ciccarelli was knocked out due to a knee injury and John Druce was the guy on the Caps who stepped up and really took over the workload potting 14 goals and three assists in 15 games before the Caps bowed out to the Boston Bruins in the Prince of Wales Conference Finals. Druce was never able to get the magic back, scoring only three more playoff goals in 38 more playoff games.

So, while we're only one game into the playoffs-- we could turn this into a multi-weekly look....if for nothing else but to make this a complete theme-day blog and to have gimmicks run wild. You knew what you were getting into, folks.

In any case, you look at night one, and Mike Fisher could be a candidate; but it also brings up the question on who you can actually consider a superstar when it comes per team?? Fisher is a well-known player, but could he consider a star on his team from his on-ice performance?? I'm going with no, so he's in this debate. Another guy is Brooks Orpik, who has two assists for the Penguins-- leading the team in points. We've got two front-runners now, so it's time for the other series' to start and other guys to actually step-up.

So, that's what's up. Really have no way to finish this.......ummmm......bye.

The John Druce Award

The trophies seem to be coming out of the woodworks in the recent years. Remember the ill-fated Mark Messier Leadership Award?? Yeah, neither do I. However, I think the idea of having the John Druce Award is very meaningful.

For Washington Capitals fans, Druce stepped into the role of goal-scorer for the Caps after Dino Ciccarelli went out with a knee injury. Druce racked up 14 goals and three assists in 15 games for the Caps as they made it all the way to the Wales Conference Finals. For the rest of his career, Druce only had three more playoff goals and three more playoff assists in 37 games after that 1990 Playoffs.

So, the premise for the Druce Award is simple. It is given out to the most unlikely guy to pot the most points for his team in the playoffs. However, the player must have a minimum of two rounds under his belt to be considered. Since we're in the second round, here's a look at some candidates in the early going.

-Johan Franzen, Detroit: On a team with Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk, and even Nicklas Lidstrom; Franzen leads the team with seven goals and ten points this playoffs. Franzen is tied for second this playoffs for points.

-Joe Pavelski, San Jose: Pavelski leads the Sharks with eight points, which could be the reason they are struggling when a veritable unknown is leading the team with a former Art Ross and Hart Trophy winner (Joe Thornton) and former Richard Trophy winner (Jonathan Cheechoo) on it.

-Vaclav Prospal, Philadelphia: The trade from Tampa hasn't slowed Prospal down, who is only two points behind teammate Daniel Briere for overall points lead in the playoffs. Prospal had 14 points in 18 games when he came over from Tampa.

That's just an early look. It seems that the big time players are filling their roles, which causes the Druce Award to be a toughy. We'll get through it and make it come together as an amazing thing that will take the hockey world by storm.....or not.