Monday debate: an early MVP

The Captain gets my vote.. he'll always get my vote for MVP!!! Brind'Amour- future hall of famer- Hurricanes living legend!!!! Hoist that cup again Captain!!!!!

Give the MVP to the coaching staff. They've kept this group together through injury and an extended road trip. Not to mention they have a ton of new players since the trade deadline last year, so they are working to get all the pieces to fit. Nice job.

After watching the game on Sunday against the Leafs, the three of them really stopped the Leafs from about the end of period one to the end. Corvo's shot is incredible. It's got to give goalies nightmares.

These guys finally give us defense and toughness.. now if we can get the boys up front to play.....

He may not have the points on the board, but I think he changes the completion of the game. Unlike the other defenseman, when he tees up it creates excitement and opportunity.

For what it's worth.

I have to go with the guys who have been the most consistent. As many have already said, the defense leads the way. Gleason, Wallin and Seids have all been great and we'd have a losing record if it wasn't for these guys playing well at both ends of the ice.

On offence, I think Bayda is making the most of this opportunity in a limited role. But if our stars (Staal, Whitney and Brindy) don't start producing on a consistent basis, the role players won't be able to keep this team afloat.

I also agree that Leighton is a much needed improvement over Graham but how difficult should it be to replace the worst backup in the league?

I know you did not include the coaches in this as "players" were indicated, However, with the adversity in several areas (injuries)I would give my Kudos to the coaches especially Laviolette and Rowe. I see no clear MVP from the "regular" team players. They are getting the most out of the new ones and the call ups.

this isnt most improved,
the question was MVP

your gonna tell me that wallin has been more valuable than Staal?

no way.

staal mvp

I'll take Rod Brind'Amour as the mvp at this stage. He has been winning face-offs at a high percentage and, without that, we simply can't win. A couple of the games have been won primarily on goal-tending, so the combined Ward/Leighton approach is working well so far. Seidenberg and Ruutu have really been amazing so far this year too, in addition to others already mentioned here. But as for one player that we'd miss the most - it's got to be the Captain.

Gleason.......Jack who?

5. Sutter 4.LaRose 3.Leighton 2.Seidenberg 1.Wallin Then there is the Coach...;-} Go Canes !!

Wallin, no hands down at this point. He is playing some brilliant defenive hockey, and chipping in in the O as well. HUGE suprise over his performance over the past two years. He must have been playing through injury then, and is healthy now. Here's hoping he stays that way!

The goalies. Easily. If I had to pick one, Leighton, who has done so much better than Grahame.

I think the consensus would be no one has really stood out offensively. I would have to say Tim Gleason has probably been the most consistent. He appears to have taken on the role of Scotty Walker (since he is out) of the "Hey, no one is gonna mess with our team".

There isn't one MVP thus far. Collectively, the defense has been good. Bayda and Ruutu consistently bring the attitude and energy I would like to see the team play with. They bring it every game and they hit. No one wants to see their team get pushed around unanswered. Bayda and Ruutu set the tone, in my view.

Without looking at the numbers... the "role" players are doing a great job, both on offense and defense: Bayda, LaRose, Wallin, Seidenberg, etc. The way Sutter was going before getting injured was great; I hope he can get back to that level soon. Gleason's game seems to be on. Most improved would be Wallin and Kaberle, before he got injured.

But, the best players need to consistently be the best players and that just hasn't happened yet. Staal's numbers have been padded with empty netters. Brind'amour hasn't got going yet. Whitney is brilliant, then disappears. Cullen and Eaves haven't impressed me at all. Samsonov looks good and hopefully that will translate into point production like it did last season.

Somehow, this MASH unit of a team keeps rolling along. The organizational depth has really been the difference between a pretty good start and what could have easily become a disaster with all the injuries.