2011-12 Neely Award: Most Skilled forward Fighter

[NJDevils17]

This year saw a bit of a shift in terms of skilled players dropping the gloves. Gone are some of the older guys who were once mainstays for this award like Jarome Iginla. In their place are players who were once grinders, but developed a nice skill set to be placed on here.

Nominees

Wayne Simmonds - Philadelphia Flyers
The hockey world was shocked when Mike Richards was traded to the Los Angeles Kings this off season. One of the pieces Philadelphia got back in the trade was Wayne Simmonds, a player who wasn't afraid to fight and was a tough worker. Simmonds broke out in Philadelphia with a career high 28 goals, 49 points, and 10 fighting majors. Simmonds was also very dominant in his fights including wins against David Clarkson, Derek Dorsett, and Eric Brewer.

Milan Lucic - Boston Bruins
Another staple for this award every year. While Lucic isn't fighting as much as he used to, he still managed to put up 6 fighting majors, including a very entertaining bout against heavyweight Matt Carkner. Lucic also had dominating wins against Patrick Kaleta, Paul Gaustad, and his poor whipping boy, Michael Komisarek. As for the skill side, Lucic pretty much matched his production from last year by scoring 61 points.

Ryane Clowe - San Jose Sharks
Like Lucic, you can always find Clowe on this list. Clowe saw a dip in production from last year, but still managed to get 45 points on a Sharks team that struggled this year. Clowe managed to put up a pretty nice fight card with good fights against Krys Barch, Deryk Engelland, and Kyle Clifford.

David Clarkson - New Jersey Devils
Clarkson absolutely exploded this season. He was always pegged as a guy who could be a 15 goal scorer, but this season he reached 30 goals. I don't think anyone expected that type of production from him. As for the fisticuffs, Clarkson lost a good fight against fellow nominee Wayne Simmonds, had a nice feud with Brandon Dubinsky, and had bouts with Maple Leafs' defensemen Luke Schenn and Dion Phaneuf.


My Pick

As much as I want to pick David Clarkson, I can't look past Wayne Simmonds. The main reason I think Simmonds deserves this is that he improved in goal scoring as well as fighting. He set career highs in both whereas other nominees saw one of those areas suffer compared to previous seasons.


Past winners

2007-08: Jarome Iginla
2008-09: Milan Lucic
2009-10: Ryane Clowe
2010-11: Ryane Clowe

[MattBurger]

Lucic was dominant in his fights this season, and had more points than any of the other choices listed, so I'm going with him.

[kmd19]

As much improvement as Simmonds showed this year, I'm going with Lucic. Both his hard nose play and production has been consistent for a couple years now.

[kam]

Clarkson, more fights than Lucic and still in the playoffs. Just rubbing it in for the Bruin fans.

[DARCY T]

simmonds,clowe and lucic...very close but i would take clowe on my team any day

[Killah_punk]

Lucic and Clowe are a step above Simmonds and Clarkson in the fighting department. But i would take any of these guys on my team.
Chris Stewart could of been nominated too.

[slashtrey]

A category where Lucic actually deserves the win

[Whaler Fan]

Originally Posted by slashtrey

A category where Lucic actually deserves the win

Did he get credit for another category that I'm not aware of?

Your starting to seem bitter.

[Isles4life]

As usual, I'd love to have all the nominees on my team. I thought Clowe took a step back this year in his overall play, Lucic delivered as expected, and I do love David Clarkson. But the impressive improvement for Simmonds both offensively and with the gloves off impressed me enough for me to give him my vote for this award.

Originally Posted by Killah_punk

Chris Stewart could of been nominated too.

Stewart had a fairly disappointing season offensively, so I'd say that's what kept him out of contention.

[dg33garcia]

Another hard one for me,,, I really Lucic, but I'm a sharks fan and get to see Clowe in person and he's pretty damn tough, I know he lost a couple this year,,, but he won more, plus he could score, pass block shots, he's just all around BAD TO THE BONE.

[smashem]

Easiest thread on here, Like taking candy from a baby. LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOCH

[fcm]

It's not the award of the best fighting skilled forward.
It's the award of the most skilled forward that also fights.

Simmonds and Clowe definitly are more skilled as forwards than Lucic. Hell, Lucic isn't that skilled, he's just efficient cause he uses his big frame to score garbage goals.

That being said, Lucic is the best all-around powerforward in the league.

But both Simmonds and Clowe are more skilled than him.

[smashem]

Originally Posted by fcm

It's not the award of the best fighting skilled forward.
It's the award of the most skilled forward that also fights.

Simmonds and Clowe definitly are more skilled as forwards than Lucic. Hell, Lucic isn't that skilled, he's just efficient cause he uses his big frame to score garbage goals.

That being said, Lucic is the best all-around powerforward in the league.

But both Simmonds and Clowe are more skilled than him.

Go look at the votes, And tell me different. Ahhhhhhh you can't, thanks for trying though.

[BullyFan]

Originally Posted by fcm

It's not the award of the best fighting skilled forward.
It's the award of the most skilled forward that also fights.

Simmonds and Clowe definitly are more skilled as forwards than Lucic. Hell, Lucic isn't that skilled, he's just efficient cause he uses his big frame to score garbage goals.

That being said, Lucic is the best all-around powerforward in the league.

But both Simmonds and Clowe are more skilled than him.

Soooo, who'd you vote for?

[smashem]

Originally Posted by BullyFan009

Soooo, who'd you vote for?

I am sure he is waiting for Avery to be put on the choices, Would fit his type.