FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Well well..., it's that time of year and time for the NHL Awards, live from Las Vegas. Amid the glitz and glamor of the gambling hub of the US will be the NHL's finest, dressed to the nines and vying for the top trophies in the league. So here goes my pics for those awards..., in random order.

1) Calder Trophy - Steve Mason, Bobby Ryan, Kris Versteeg

     Mason wins this one, hands down. Ryan had a great season, recording 31 goals and 57 points this season, leading all rookie scorers in doing so. Versteeg on the other hand had 22 goals and 54 for the Blackhawks during the season but, I just think that Mason has the upper hand on both. While both Ryan and Versteeg were playing on teams that a lot of people considered solid contenders, Mason took over the net in Columbus after only six games and he never looked back, recording 33 wins, 10 of those shutouts (he was only five off of Esposito's mark of 15 for rookies). His 2.29 GAA was second in the league, played a total of 61 games with a .916 save %, leading all rookie goaltenders in those categories, except for Rinne in Nashville. I just think that his season was one of the better ones for rookie goalies and he wins the award.

2) Vezina Trophy - Nik Backstrom, Tim Thomas, Steve Mason

    I really can't see Mason winning the Vezina..., while his overall play got the Jackets into the playoffs, it was the strong play of a certain Boston goaltender that had a lot of people wondering 'where did this guy come from?' Thomas was the best goaltender in the NHL last season..., posting a league leading 2.10 GAA and .933 save % in leading his Bruins to the Eastern Conference's best record. Backstrom, with his league leading 37 wins, 2.33 GAA, played on a non playoff team and while being a top flight tender in his own right, I just think that Thomas blew him away with his season..., Mason won't pull a 'Barrasso' and win both, unfortunately. 

3)  Norris Trophy - Zdeno Chara, Nik Lidstrom, Mike Green

    I was thinking about this for a while..., going back and forth between the 3 nominees and I have made my choice. I believe that the winner of this award is going to be from Detroit..., Lidstrom's strong defensive play wins this for him, again. 17 years in the league and he's missed 32 games is a testament to his durability and this sets him apart from everyone. 59 points on a strong Detroit team from the blue line is another reason he's taking home another Norris. I liked Chara's size and ability playing in Boston and Green..., I see him more like a Paul Coffey type of player..., he's got the offense you love from your defense but defensively he wasn't that great. Until Lidstrom hangs up the skates, this is his award..., no one else can touch him.

 4) Selke Trophy - Pavel Datsyuk, Mike Richards, Ryan Kesler

    Pavel Datsyuk has proven over the past two or three seasons that he is legitimately one of the NHL's best offensive stars..., 4th in the NHL with 97 points, 3rd with a plus 34 rating proves his worth. He's also one of the most gifted athletes in the league and he's already won this award..., here's #2. Richards is an up and coming superstar, as is Kesler but this award is Dat's to lose.

5) Lady Byng Trophy - Pavel Datsyuk, Martin St. Louis, Zach Parise

    See Selke..., Datsyuk wins this one too..., 4 in a row.

6) Jack Adams Trophy - Andy Murray, Claude Julien, Todd McLellan

    Murray got the Blues back to the post season, McLellan got his Sharks to the President's Trophy and Julien took his Bruins to the top of the East..., Julien wins it.  Although I like McLellan's chances at winning this, I believe Julien did more with youth than the other two nominees and should win this award. Murray's Blues weren't expected to make the playoffs to start with and he has a great shot at it.

7) Masterton Trophy - Chris Chelios, Steve Sullivan, Richard Zednik

    This is a toss up but, I'll take Sullivan..., he's battled back from serious injuries in the last few years to regain his status as a great player. Zed overcame a hellacious skate shot to the throat to return and Chelios..., well, this guy will never retire! I have been a long time fan of Sullivan from when he was a Leaf and he should win this one.

8) Hart Trophy - Evgeni Malkin, Alex Ovechkin, Pavel Datsyuk

   Ovechkin's the best player inside the NHL and the Rocket Richard winner should walk with this one, but he won't. If it wasn't for #8, the Caps would be in Toronto territory right now and thePens without #87 and with a certain #71 don't miss a beat..., they pick up a step or two! Malkin's deserving of his first Hart Trophy..., he's one of the most dynamic players in the league, playing for one of the best teams and, like I said earlier, Ovie's Caps are an injury away from being at the bottom with out him. It'll be close..., but Malkin takes it.