Most Improved Flyer in 2016

[hf101]

 

 

Chris Vandevelde won the Flyers most Improved Award in 2015 and this year there are several deserving candidates. This award is voted upon by the players and of course not all improvements can be measured in points on the scoreboard.   Since the start of the season which Flyer would you honor with the Pelle Memorial Trophy?

[AlaskaFlyerFan]

I'm going off the board and voting for Ryan White.

[fishbulb]

Either Schenn or Raffl imo...    Both have impressed me this year with their progress.

[hf101]

@AlaskaFlyerFan, @fishbulb

 

I added both White and Raffl to the list.

[pilldoc]

Schenn hands down.  From being on a lot peoples chopping block last year, he just blossomed once his brother was traded away.  Hard to argue for anyone else. Barry Ashbee (best defenseman) goes to Ghost.  I'm also going to give Ghost the Bobby Clarke Award for MVP of the team.  Without the outstanding play of Ghost, the Flyers would not be in the playoff hunt.

[hf101]

6 minutes ago, pilldoc said:

Schenn hands down.  From being on a lot peoples chopping block last year, he just blossomed once his brother was traded away.  Hard to argue for anyone else. Barry Ashbee (best defenseman) goes to Ghost.  I'm also going to give Ghost the Bobby Clarke Award for MVP of the team.  Without the outstanding play of Ghost, the Flyers would not be in the playoff hunt.

 

There's a good case to be made for Sam Gagner also.  At the beginning of the season, he was often a healthy scratch, then waived, sent to the Phantoms and now he's a vital linemate to Couturier and Voracek on the 2nd line.

[pilldoc]

1 hour ago, hf101 said:

 

There's a good case to be made for Sam Gagner also.  At the beginning of the season, he was often a healthy scratch, then waived, sent to the Phantoms and now he's a vital linemate to Couturier and Voracek on the 2nd line.

 

Very valid point. Very hard to come up with a counter argument.

[flyerrod]

Until this season, I was not a fan of Schenn. For me, he would have been the first guy(realistically)on the trading block. I am glad to eat my share of crow for his performance this season. He has more than earned a right to a solid contract with his play and a share of the most improved Flyer this season.

[BobbyClarkeFan16]

For me, it's Radko Gudas. Think back to this time last year and he was basically a throw in to the Coburn deal. Then he starts the year a healthy scratch and then when he does play, he only gets table scraps for minutes and then it's not long before he's starting to put his game together. He starts playing to his strengths and we're now witnessing a guy who averages nearly 20 minutes a game and usually plays against the opponent's top line. That's what stands out for me.

 

With regards to Brayden Schenn, isn't this the production that was kind of expected of him when he was drafted 5th overall? As for Sam Gagner, it took him over a half season, being placed on waivers and being sent to the minors before he started getting his act together. Nope, for me, it's Gudas and it shouldn't be close.

[Podein25]

Yeah Gudas for me too.

[PhilsFanDrew]

The fact that there is a number of candidates that an argument can be made for to win this award is a testament to how the leadership and head coach have gotten guys to elevate their play and improve to the point where they are on the cusp of earning a playoff berth.  My vote also goes to Gudas.  Schenn has consistently improved his production since he has entered the league so it's not exactly out of left field that he has hit career highs.  Not to mention with his pedigree he is right now living up to expectations.  This award IMO is more for the player that exceeds expectations going into the year.  

[Podein25]

1 hour ago, PhilsFanDrew said:

The fact that there is a number of candidates that an argument can be made for to win this award is a testament to how the leadership and head coach have gotten guys to elevate their play and improve to the point where they are on the cusp of earning a playoff berth.  My vote also goes to Gudas.  Schenn has consistently improved his production since he has entered the league so it's not exactly out of left field that he has hit career highs.  Not to mention with his pedigree he is right now living up to expectations.  This award IMO is more for the player that exceeds expectations going into the year.  

 

Yeah "Gudas" and "pedigree" aren't two words that immediately come to mind at the same time.

[flyercanuck]

10 hours ago, BobbyClarkeFan16 said:

For me, it's Radko Gudas. Think back to this time last year and he was basically a throw in to the Coburn deal. Then he starts the year a healthy scratch and then when he does play, he only gets table scraps for minutes and then it's not long before he's starting to put his game together. He starts playing to his strengths and we're now witnessing a guy who averages nearly 20 minutes a game and usually plays against the opponent's top line. That's what stands out for me.

 

With the way Konecny has developed, Gudas has been making that trade look a little lopsided. Considering I could have cared less if he was dealt a few months ago, he's done quite well for himself.

 

Quote

 

With regards to Brayden Schenn, isn't this the production that was kind of expected of him when he was drafted 5th overall? As for Sam Gagner, it took him over a half season, being placed on waivers and being sent to the minors before he started getting his act together. Nope, for me, it's Gudas and it shouldn't be close.

 

I don't think the award is for "most improved not taken 5th overall". Schenn has improved every season, but this year it was a leap more than a step. Career highs in goals, assists, points, first plus season, he's toned his pims down while playing more physically...what's not to like?

 

If you picked Gudas, you're not wrong...but Schenn isn't a bad choice either.

[OccamsRazor]

A good read on the subject of Radko Gudas-it-gets!!!!

 

 

 

The curious case of Radko Gudas and his fantastic season

 

http://www.broadstreethockey.com/2016/3/31/11331642/gudas-actually-good-flyers-playoffs-analysis

 

 

Gudas' advanced stats are among the league's best

Before we delve into the specifics of Radko Gudas' playing style, let's take a look at his advanced metrics this season. Among all Flyers blueliners, Gudas has the best on-ice shot attempt differential (Corsi), both from a raw percentage standpoint and relative to his teammates. And with Michael Del Zotto out for the season and Evgeny Medvedevrelegated to a seemingly-permanent spot in the press box, Gudas is the best possession defenseman left on the Flyers by far.

Defenseman	Corsi For Percentage	Corsi Relative to Teammates
Radko Gudas	53.02%	+4.94%
Evgeny Medvedev	52.38%	+4.54%
Michael Del Zotto	50.59%	+3.23%
Brandon Manning	50.50%	+0.70%
Shayne Gostisbehere	50.04%	-0.70%
Mark Streit	47.78%	-3.11%
Andrew MacDonald	50.65%	-4.22%
Nick Schultz	46.16%	-5.08%
Luke Schenn	45.21%	-5.67%

All metrics are score-adjusted via War-On-Ice.com.

But Gudas isn't just posting a strong season on the Flyers by the advanced metrics. He ranks ninth in the entire NHL among defensemen in Corsi relative to his teammates.

Rank	Defenseman	Corsi Relative
1	Brendan Smith	+7.60%
2	Hampus Lindholm	+7.03%
3	Victor Hedman	+6.97%
4	Erik Karlsson	+6.61%
5	Josh Manson	+6.38%
6	Brian Campbell	+5.49%
7	Oliver-Ekman Larsson	+5.29%
8	Mark Pysyk	+5.25%
9	Radko Gudas	+4.94%
10	Barret Jackman	+4.88%
11	Keith Yandle	+4.68%
12	John Klingberg	+4.45%
13	Drew Doughty	+4.35%
14	Mark Giordano	+4.30%
15	Dustin Byfuglien	+4.27%

All metrics are score-adjusted via War-On-Ice.com and limited to defensemen with more than 700 5-on-5 minutes.

Most striking is the murderer's row that lines up behind Gudas. Drew Doughty and John Klingberg both have been discussed as candidates for this year's Norris Trophy given to the league's best defenseman, while Giordano and Byfuglien are universally accepted as elite blueliners. With a little over a week left in the NHL season, Gudas has outperformed them all in terms of driving play relative to his teammates.

 

 

[murraycraven]

What no love for AMac?

[AlaskaFlyerFan]

This poll is fixed!!  I went back and cast my vote for Ryan White and now it's gone.  I don't know where it went and I have no option to change it or vote again!!  Fixed, I tell ya...fixed!!

[hf101]

1 hour ago, AlaskaFlyerFan said:

This poll is fixed!!  I went back and cast my vote for Ryan White and now it's gone.  I don't know where it went and I have no option to change it or vote again!!  Fixed, I tell ya...fixed!!

Yeah it was fixed.  - I changed a setting in the admin.  All members can now change their vote in polls.

[OccamsRazor]

2 hours ago, murraycraven said:

What no love for AMac?

 

 

Philly without Mcdud: 24-22-8

Philly with Mcdud: 14-5-3

 

Now let that sink in a minute........................

[Podein25]

17 minutes ago, OccamsRazor said:

 

 

Philly without Mcdud: 24-22-8

Philly with Mcdud: 14-5-3

 

Now let that sink in a minute........................

 

You've ruined my breakfast

[Podein25]

4 hours ago, OccamsRazor said:

A good read on the subject of Radko Gudas-it-gets!!!!

 

 

 

The curious case of Radko Gudas and his fantastic season

 

http://www.broadstreethockey.com/2016/3/31/11331642/gudas-actually-good-flyers-playoffs-analysis

 

 

Gudas' advanced stats are among the league's best

Before we delve into the specifics of Radko Gudas' playing style, let's take a look at his advanced metrics this season. Among all Flyers blueliners, Gudas has the best on-ice shot attempt differential (Corsi), both from a raw percentage standpoint and relative to his teammates. And with Michael Del Zotto out for the season and Evgeny Medvedevrelegated to a seemingly-permanent spot in the press box, Gudas is the best possession defenseman left on the Flyers by far.

Defenseman	Corsi For Percentage	Corsi Relative to Teammates
Radko Gudas	53.02%	+4.94%
Evgeny Medvedev	52.38%	+4.54%
Michael Del Zotto	50.59%	+3.23%
Brandon Manning	50.50%	+0.70%
Shayne Gostisbehere	50.04%	-0.70%
Mark Streit	47.78%	-3.11%
Andrew MacDonald	50.65%	-4.22%
Nick Schultz	46.16%	-5.08%
Luke Schenn	45.21%	-5.67%

All metrics are score-adjusted via War-On-Ice.com.

But Gudas isn't just posting a strong season on the Flyers by the advanced metrics. He ranks ninth in the entire NHL among defensemen in Corsi relative to his teammates.

Rank	Defenseman	Corsi Relative
1	Brendan Smith	+7.60%
2	Hampus Lindholm	+7.03%
3	Victor Hedman	+6.97%
4	Erik Karlsson	+6.61%
5	Josh Manson	+6.38%
6	Brian Campbell	+5.49%
7	Oliver-Ekman Larsson	+5.29%
8	Mark Pysyk	+5.25%
9	Radko Gudas	+4.94%
10	Barret Jackman	+4.88%
11	Keith Yandle	+4.68%
12	John Klingberg	+4.45%
13	Drew Doughty	+4.35%
14	Mark Giordano	+4.30%
15	Dustin Byfuglien	+4.27%

All metrics are score-adjusted via War-On-Ice.com and limited to defensemen with more than 700 5-on-5 minutes.

Most striking is the murderer's row that lines up behind Gudas. Drew Doughty and John Klingberg both have been discussed as candidates for this year's Norris Trophy given to the league's best defenseman, while Giordano and Byfuglien are universally accepted as elite blueliners. With a little over a week left in the NHL season, Gudas has outperformed them all in terms of driving play relative to his teammates.

 

 

 

Wow shocking. Never mind Gudas being 9th, Brendan Smith 1st, Josh Manson 5 th. WTF?!

[OccamsRazor]

1 minute ago, Podein25 said:

 

You've ruined my breakfast

 

 

My apologies. Just imagine how i felt typing that....i may need counseling....

[hf101]

Just now, OccamsRazor said:

 

 

Philly without Mcdud: 24-22-8

Philly with Mcdud: 14-5-3

 

Now let that sink in a minute........................

 

I'm a little shocked at those numbers, but then he really did improve his game play while being with the phantoms.  I thought he was a real possibility in the poll for votes.

I voted for Gudas mainly because he was that 7-8th dman coming into the season.  As the season started it became obvious that there was only room for one tough guy on the backend and it made sense to trade L. Schenn.   Gudas played his way to that 5-6 spot.  He then made another jump in his play after Del Zotto went down.  He's played is way right into top minutes and even scoring.  As @BobbyClarkeFan16  said, Gudas is the clear deserving winner of the Pelle Memorial trophy.  We'll have to see what the players vote is.

[OccamsRazor]

51 minutes ago, hf101 said:

I'm a little shocked at those numbers, but then he really did improve his game play while being with the phantoms.  I thought he was a real possibility in the poll for votes.

 

 

[canoli]

Gudas deserves honorable mention for the way he changed his game but BSchenn would get my vote for the Pelle.

 

Going into this season there was one question remaining about BSchenn: could he deliver his A-game consistently, i.e. would he ever become a complete player? Now we have the answer and aside from helping the team win hockey games it also means the Flyers don't need to shop or deal for a top-line winger.

 

 

[ruxpin]

I'm going off the board with Michal Neuvirth.   I'm not sure whether goalie qualifies for this, but without him and his 17-8 record, the Flyers are trying to get to the golf course before the Leafs.

 

Of the folks on the board, I'm going Schenn and then Gudas.   I like the arguments for each on this thread a lot and would be happy with either.