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spidey · 11-09-2024, 02:36 PM

I don’t know the last time an MVP race was this close in any sport. And there are arguments on who should be this year’s Ron Mexico trophy winner. Several individuals have stepped up this year with many teams in the league. But because this is my article, and my opinion, I am going to highlight the ones I believe should be at the very least in the conversation on who should take home the hardware as the league’s most valuable player.

Chris Valentine: TEXAS RENEGADES (3rd league standings, 5th overall TPE)
GAMES: 66
GOALS: 54 (1st)
ASSISTS: 58 (t-8th)
POINTS: 112 (1st)
AVG Ice time: 22:29
Game Winning Goals: 7 (t-6th)

Typically, the league’s MVP goes to the player who amasses the most points in a season, and typically that is a center. For some reason, the system most teams use (and FHM itself) favors centers to score and get points. Chris is no exception this year. He exploded with the most goals and most points this season and finished tied for top 10 in assists. He played with a +17 rating. He scored a health amount on the power play (16 goals, 27 assists). And he was no slouch at the dot amassing 55.6% faceoff wins. Mixing in 44 blocked shots and 43 takeaways, he played a pretty good two-way game. Overall, he was a beast this season.

Negatives:
16.6% scoring percentage
93 Give Aways
55 hits

Logan Webb: SAN FRANCISCO PRIDE (1st League Standing, 4th overall TPE)
GAMES: 66
GOALS: 53 (2nd)
ASSITS: 58 (t-8th)
POINTS: 111 (2nd)
AVG Ice Time: 21:40
Game Winning Goals: 7 (t–6th)

One goal behind, just one goal! Coming from a winger, that is amazing (like we said earlier the system prefers centers in general). Webb has been a beast in his own right owning an outstanding +46 rating and making his mark on 5 on 5 play this season. Owning 45 even strength goals and 39 assists. One major advantage to Webb is that he is not afraid to put his body on the line as he dished out 122 hits and blocked 43 shots this season.

Negatives:
Low PP numbers (goals 9, assists 17)
37 take aways
26.9% face off wins

Dominik Winters: SAN FRANCISCO PRIDE (1st League Standing, 4th overall TPE)
GAMES: 66
GOALS: 41 (t-15th)
Assists: 65 (t-1st)
POINTS: 106 (3rd)
AVG Ice Time: 21:08
Game Winning Goals: 4 (t-39th)

Could you imagine what Winters could have done with 2 more shifts per game? I get it 2 shifts that is not a big deal, but that adds up to nearly 90 more minutes of play over the season. That is the difference between Valentine and Winters this season. 2 more shifts. Without that time, he sits 3rd in points, amassed a +30 rating, had 22.0% scoring, won 57% of his faceoffs, 43 blocked shots, 62 takeaways vs 53 give aways! In every bit as much as Webb and Valentine, Winters has been a monster this season.

Negatives:
186 shots
63 hits
50 PIM

Tony Soprano: PHILADELPHIA FORGE (4th LEAGUE STANDINGS, 3rd in TPE)
GAMES: 66
GOALS: 52 (3rd)
ASSISTS: 50 (t-28th)
Points: 102 (6th)
AVERAGE Ice Time: 22:43
GAME WINNING GOALS: 9 (t-1st)

Tony draws into this slot based on two major statistics, 3rd in goals and tied for first in game winning goals. There could be an argument that game winning goals are more important than a regular goal and having among the league lead with both those categories earns Tony the right for this conversation. Another center (go figure) with a 19.2% scoring with 271 shots, 53.1% face off win, 99 hits, 62 blocked shots, 54 takeaways vs 59 giveaways Tony really did it all for the Forge. Part of the reason for his leading ice time was the most short-handed ice time among leaders (3:02 AVG).

NEGATIVES:
Most ice time among top forwards (22:43 AVG)
60 PIM
6TH in points (10 behind number 1)

Toasty: SAN FRANCISCO PRIDE (1st League Standing, 4th overall TPE)
GAMES: 66
GOALS: 27 (1st among Defense)
ASSISTS: 46 (1st among Defense)
Points: 73 (1st among Defense)
AVERAGE Ice Time: 23:17
Game Winning Goals: 2 (not figuring it out, but impressive for Defense, lol)

If Toasty was a forward, he would be 51st in points, as a defender that is ridiculous! He beat out household names like Kevin Kim, Reed Kobo, Edzus Ozolins and M’baku Olubori! As defender no one came close to the points he collected this season, the next closest being 15 points behind him. He is second in the league with a +58 rating, owned a 10.8% scoring (good for 4th among defenders), 73 takeaways vs 6 giveaways. This was a top season for Toasty and should be pushing for the Scott Stevens Trophy.

NEGATIVES:
67 Hits
1:52 AVG shorthanded ice time
128 blocked shots

Justin Time: SAN FRANCISCO PRIDE (1st League Standing, 4th overall TPE)

GAMES: 57 (1st)
WINS: 45 (1st)
GAA: 2.73 (1st among starters)
SAVE PERCENTAGE: 0.908 (4th among starters)
SHUT OUTS: 7 (1st)

A goalie! Are you kidding me?

No, I am not, this season has been legendary for one of the top goalies in league history and at the very least Time deserves a mention in the conversation of league MVP. He finished the season as the top goalie, there is no argument here, but I am sure there will be those who do try too. Most wins, highest winning percentage, most shutouts. He did this with the 8th best (TPE wise) defense in the league in front of him and he is currently 7th best goalie (TPE wise) in the league.

Honorable Mentions:
Derek Martin (LAP) - 105 points (4th)
Antonie Beaurgard – 105 points (4th) 65 assists (t-1st)
Ace Lightning – 55 points (5th Def) 281 Blocked Shots (7th) 19 goals (t-4th)

Final Thoughts:

Man, this is a close race for the top of the league. If it were up to me the person who was truly the most valuable player for their team this year I would go with JUSTIN TIME.

At forward the division this year is too close to name one of them as the best player in the league, literally a goal, more or better playing time made up the difference in a tight points race. And that hurts to say as it may be my one chance at the trophy. Toasty on defense has been lights out and has been head and shoulders above everyone else on the offensive side of the puck, but you could argue he lacked a little defensively.

Justin Time was a difference maker for the Presidents Trophy winning San Francisco Pride. He had a lot of support, for sure, but all these top players had a lot of support. In the end his stellar play was unmatched compared to any other regular season starting goalie across every major category. With no one else putting up the same league leading numbers across the board he stood above all other goalies, and all other players this year.

Once again this is all my opinion I have no impact on the decision making process of the league's award committee and wish them the best of luck on what will truly be a tough choice this year.

Love to hear everyone else's thoughts in the comments on who you believe should win it this year.

***HabsFanFromOntario*** · 11-09-2024, 03:19 PM

I'd give it to Webb, people underrate how hard it is to be dominant as a winger compared to a center.

***luke*** · 11-09-2024, 03:53 PM

I hear that Antione guy kept on cherry picking

spidey · 11-09-2024, 03:53 PM

11-09-2024, 03:53 PMluke Wrote: I hear that Antione guy kept on cherry picking

Nothing wrong with that. It's called strategy and it's classy.

***Frenchie*** · 11-09-2024, 03:59 PM

Its Valentine and its not even close. Acoring percentage is not ans should never be a negative. He single handedly carried Texas to a top 3 finish, being 28 points clear from the next giy in line. Both Winters and Webb had elite seasons, nobody can deny that, but how can you determine which had the greater impact on SFP? Its a hars determination IMO, whereas its pretty obvious for Chris!

***hockeyfan*** · 11-09-2024, 04:39 PM

Very surprised to be considered an honourable mention for MVP but I’ll accept your praise

spidey · 11-09-2024, 05:04 PM

11-09-2024, 04:39 PMhockeyfan Wrote: Very surprised to be considered an honourable mention for MVP but I’ll accept your praise

100% deserve to be on this list and you should have a legit chance at this Trophy. Hell of a season.

spidey · 11-09-2024, 05:06 PM

11-09-2024, 03:59 PMFrenchie Wrote: Its Valentine and its not even close. Acoring percentage is not ans should never be a negative. He single handedly carried Texas to a top 3 finish, being 28 points clear from the next giy in line. Both Winters and Webb had elite seasons, nobody can deny that, but how can you determine which had the greater impact on SFP? Its a hars determination IMO, whereas its pretty obvious for Chris!

I 100% believe Valentine could win this Trophy he had an amazing year.

But to say he did not have the same support is a broad stroke statement. Both his wingers put up impressive individual points and he reaped the benefits of each's individual effort. One had 45 goals and fewer assists. The other had 59 assists setting up Chris and fewer goals.

Both wingers are elite players in the SHL

spidey · 11-09-2024, 05:12 PM

11-09-2024, 03:19 PMHabsFanFromOntario Wrote: I'd give it to Webb, people underrate how hard it is to be dominant as a winger compared to a center.

Thanks for the support, but with the arguable option to get a non forward the win, i would love to see a defender or goalie take it in this rare opportunity.

*RashfordU* · 11-09-2024, 05:16 PM

If only there was data to show how much harder it is for a winger to produce points

And add to that, how divisional strength can play into point production

***luke*** · 11-09-2024, 05:22 PM

11-09-2024, 05:16 PMRashfordU Wrote: If only there was data to show how much harder it is for a winger to produce points

And add to that, how divisional strength can play into point production

East teams rise up. West could beat up on bad teams like Minnesota for the last 40 seasons

***HabsFanFromOntario*** · 11-09-2024, 05:41 PM

11-09-2024, 05:16 PMRashfordU Wrote: If only there was data to show how much harder it is for a winger to produce points

And add to that, how divisional strength can play into point production

Right, imagine if somebody had written about this prior and was subsequently overlooked to the same degree :hug:

downer · 11-09-2024, 06:02 PM

I just hope that everyone had fun.

***HabsFanFromOntario*** · 11-09-2024, 06:04 PM

11-09-2024, 06:02 PMdowner Wrote: I just hope that everyone had fun.

Downer elite

spidey · 11-09-2024, 07:14 PM

11-09-2024, 06:02 PMdowner Wrote: I just hope that everyone had fun.

a true champion.

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