2009-10 Neely Award: Most Skilled Fighter

[Merlin401]

As described last year: The NHL has become so accustomed to enforcers fighting on behalf of skilled players that it is so rare to see the best players in the league drop the gloves. Although there is NO ONE like Cam Neely or Wendel Clark or Rick Tocchet anymore, there still are superstars who show enough heart, passion, and leadership to get involved periodically. This award recognizes these players, who embody everything hockey should be about: The Total Package. To be nominated hear a player must have had accomplishments in 09-10 in the scoring and fighting departments.

Nominees

Ryane Clowe - San Jose Sharks: Clowe had a special year, putting up career highs in points, fights, and penalty minutes. Clowe set a career high by netting 57 points, including 19 goals. Meanwhile, he fought 11 times and didn't record a clear loss while stepping up to even take on some heavyweights including George Parros. He was able to also record victories against Tim Jackman, Sheldon Brookbank, and a bloody smashing of Michael Blunden. Clowe also was something of an iron man, suiting up for all 82 games of the Sharks season.

Steve Downie - Tampa Bay Lightning: We all knew that somewhere past the rebel image was an excellent little hockey player. It took awhile to shake off the specter of his 20+ game suspension by the NHL before ever lacing up for a regular season game and other shenanigans, but Steve Downie finally broke out. He put up 22 goals and 26 assists (along with an impressive +14 rating) for the Tampa Bay Lightning while causing all sorts of trouble on the ice for opponents. Half of Downie's goals came on the power play. Meanwhile, he got into 8 fights, but was part of rough stuff all year, accumulating 208 penalty minutes, good for 3rd place in the NHL.

Jarome Iginla - Calgary Flames: There's nothing more that needs to be said about Iginla, one of the greatest all around hockey players of this generation. He tied a career high with six fights, including Ryane Clowe, Cody McLeod, and Sheldon Souray. He put up his 9th straight 30 goal season (32) while adding 37 points to his impressive contributions to the Flames offense in 09-10.

Chris Stewart - Colorado Avalanche: After an impressive rookie campaign in 2008-09, Stewart burst onto the scene this year with a 64 point year (28 goals, 36 assists). He also chipped in some grit for the Avalanche skill lines, fighting 7 times and suffering only 1 loss while taking on the likes of B.J. Crombeen and Brandon Prust.


My Pick

I think Ryane Clowe had the best combination of skill and fighting ability this year: simply an excellent all around year. Unfortunately a lot of skilled tough guys had down years, including Milan Lucic, last year's winner who took a few steps back in both departments this year.

Previous Winners

2007-08: Jarome Iginla
2008-09: Milan Lucic

[Killah_punk]

Clowe had a solid season and a decent fight card and no clear losses.

[acdcrocksno1]

No Dan Carcillo?

[Killah_punk]

Originally Posted by acdcrocksno1

No Dan Carcillo?

Carcillo? Even Asham had more points then him in fewer games, and Asham is the better fighter.

[Podollan]

Stewart and Clowe. Voted for Stewart.

[BigBadWolf1171]

Clowe with Stewart coming in close second

[OneilltheGiant]

Clowe all the way in this one...

Jarome Iginla done very little this year and only looked good in one fight against a poor fighter... The other two were ok but none came close to Clowe..

[Wild_KO King]

I went with Clowe, but I think Stewart's time is coming. That kid will be a force in years to come. I wish we had more players like Iginla, Clowe and Stewart, guys that show that fighting and scoring don't have to be mutually exclusuve.

[Cat Smasher]

Clowe and it's not even close.

[Active Stick]

Easy choice for me - Clowe. Best combination of fighting ability and skill.

[ThrowdownSJ408]

HELL YEAH! FAVORITE PLAYER! Clowe all the way but Iggy is good too and stewart as well. Clowe picked up his record this year and had like 57 points or something.

[Isles4life]

I had to give this one to Clowe, he just had a great season all around. That said, I'm a huge fan of Chris Stewart, and if he keeps up the kind of performance he had this season, he'll be taking home this award very soon. If he had just a couple more fights on his card, I probably would have voted for him over Clowe.

[bobberino]

Clowe!

[BullyFan]

Clowe with Stewart as a close second.

[IhateLindros]

No David Backes?? Oh wait he just beats up skilled players! lol