With nothing really going on in the NHL until tomorrow I thought I would make my predictions at who is going to win some hardware this season.
- William M. Jennings Trophy – Goalie(s) With the Fewest Goals Scored Against: Dominek Hasek/Chris Osgood (Detroit Red Wings). Ok, not much of a prediction, more so a little research. Detriot allowed 184 Goals beating out Anaheim (191) and San Jose (193).
- Vezina Trophy – Top Goalie in the NHL: This being a little tougher to predict because the winner is chosen by votes, and the votes are made by NHL GMs. If I were voting my vote would go to Evgeni Nabokov (San Jose). Nabokov carried the Sharks, posting 46 wins, 1 behind Brodeur’s NHL record. He also posted a 2.14 GAA and a .910 SV% while appearing in 77 games.
- Maurice Richard Trophy – Top Goal Scorer in the NHL: Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals). OV ran away with this one, potting 65 goals, cruising past Ilya Kovalchuk (52) and Jarome Iginla (50).
- Lester B. Pearson Award – Most Outstanding Player as Selected by the NHLPA: Congratulations Mr. Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals), hope that while you spent all the time learning English, you also learned to build a nice, massive trophy case, you’ll need it.
- Lady Byng Memorial Award – Player who Displays Gentlemanly Conduct: Ahh, the trophy every player strives for in the NHL. Mike York (Phoenix Coyotes). This guy racked up 4 PIM while appearing in 63 games. In today’s NHL that is impressive, you would think some would step on your stick more than twice a season.
- King Clancy Memorial Award – Leadership and Humanitarian Contribution: Alright, I really have no idea who should get this, but personally I think it should go to Mats Sundin (Toronto Maple Leafs). This guy has been one of the best, if not the best, captain of the storied franchise, and it is possible that he has worn the Blue and White for the last night, and it may be possible that he will be retiring at season’s end.
- James Norris Memorial Trophy – Top Defenseman in the NHL: It always seems like this one is between two or three players, and that hasn’t changed. Zdeno Chara (Boston Bruins), after having a terrible -21 last season, he rebounded nicely posting a +14, 17 Goals, 34 Assists, and 114 PIM.
- Jack Adams Award – Coach of the Year: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Guy Carbonneau (Montreal Canadiens). The Canadiens were not expected to even make play-offs, yet he led to the top of the Eastern Conference.
- Hart Memorial Trophy – NHL Most Valuable Player: I’ll gladly eat my words and say that Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) does deserve the MVP. He single-handedly carried the Caps into the post-season, riding an impressive winning record down the stretch.
- Frank J. Selke Trophy – Top Defensive Forward in the NHL: Again, this is another that I can’t honestly say that there is a run away favourite, but I am going to go with little known David Perron (St. Louis Blues) Perron in his first season is a late bloomer that has shown up almost out of nowhere. While playing most of the season on the Blues’ low lines, he has posted a +16, 14 Goals and 27 Points in his rookie season on an underachieving team.
- Calder Memorial Trophy – Rookie of the Year: While it seemed as though Patrick Kane was going to run away with this award, I believe that with a good play-off run, Carey Price (Montreal Canadiens) is should run away with this award. The Habs should go deep into the play-offs and it will be entirely because of this kid.
- Bill Masterson Memorial Trophy – Qualities of Perseverance and Sportsmanship: Jason Blake (Toronto Maple Leafs) played the entire season even after being diagnosed with a rare leukemia and he tried to never complain about it, even though it was brought up time and time again.
- Art Ross Memorial Trophy – Top Point Scorer in the NHL: Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) runs away with it again 112 Points surpassing Malkin (106) and Iginla (98).
So there you have it, the others will slowly work themselves out, other than the President, which the Wings already locked up with the conclusion of the season.
Hockey Talkie 