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Couture Misses the Calder

Logan Couture was up for the Calder Trophy last night but did not win it. Instead, the award was presented to Jeff Skinner of the Carolina Hurricanes. A lot of Sharks fans are upset by this, but I think Skinner deserves the trophy just as much as Couture. Instead of thinking it as Logan losing, think of it as the Sharks organization winning…..on a few different levels.

First off, being nominated is a big deal not just for Logan, but for the scouting department of the Sharks. Tim Burke, Director of Scouting, has done a phenomenal job behind the scenes with his hoard of scouts targeting players as future Sharks. Logan Couture was selected 9th overall b the San Jose Sharks in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft when the Sharks didn’t have a first round pick. Here is a little history lesson for you on how things get done right before the draft and during the draft for the San Jose Sharks to get the player they want. If you think about it, the Sharks traded Vesa Toskala, Mark Bell, Lars Eller, Aaron Palushaj, Craig Smith, and Max Pacioretty to get Logan Couture. I think anyone would still make that trade today, especially for the dividends he has paid the Sharks in his first full season (56 points in 79 games, 8 GWG). Again, the scouting department and GM Doug Wilson should be commended for what they were able to do in order to land a potential all-star.

Another reason the Sharks organization did well with Logan losing is his paycheck. Had he gotten the trophy, resigning him next year most likely would be more costly. He is signed under his entry level contract through this upcoming 2011/2012 season, but I would imagine a new deal would either be struck during the season or closely after the end of it before he becomes a Restricted Free Agent (RFA). If Logan got the hardware, they would undoubtedly need to fork over more money for him and have less to sign others. Not that I think he doesn’t deserve to get paid, but saving a little can go along way – just look at this year’s team and how little cap space was available.

So in conclusion, don’t be too sad about Couture not winning the Calder. He had a great first year and will definitely build on it in the future. I could go another route with how the East Coast has no love for the West Coast when it came to voting, but I will let Snoop take it away from here…

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