NHL Awards On Tap

Every June after the Cup champ is crowned, the NHL wraps up with the NHL Awards, which for a second straight year will be in Las Vegas. With the Boston Bruins winning their first championship (5th overall- one more than the Rangers :P), there will be plenty of hardware on display Wednesday night.

The show can be seen on Versus, who will pick up the TSN feed. While I have little interest in seeing who wins the individual achievements, let's take a look at the key categories and pick who we'd like to see crowned.

CALDER- F Logan Couture, F Jeff Skinner, F Michael Grabner

The forward trio are all worthy of winning the award for top rookie. However, Skinner entered as an 18 year-old as compared to more experienced competition in Couture, who is easily the best overall. Meanwhile, Grabner finally stuck with his third organization after Garth Snow stole him on waivers from Florida. Shocking. Grabs had a tremendous second half but the other two were more consistent. It's really a toss up. I'll give the nod to Skinner, who became a key cog on an offensively challenged Carolina squad. The kid performed well down the stretch with his team just missing the playoffs.

Honorable Mentions: John Carlson, Corey Crawford, P.K. Subban, Brad Marchand, Michael Neuvirth, Tyler Ennis, Derek Stepan

VEZINA- Tim Thomas, Pekka Rinne, Roberto Luongo

While nobody would debate either Thomas or Rinne, it still boggles how GMs selected Luongo over Carey Price, Henrik Lundqvist or Marc-Andre Fleury. I guess playing on the best team has its perks. Unfortunately, Lou's D broke down and he wasn't up to the challenge against Boston, who outscored Vancouver by a wide margin (23-8). It really is between Thomas, who shattered Dominik Hasek's single season GAA and Rinne, who backstopped offensively challenged Nashville to its first second round. If he won, I'd have no beef. But this is the Conn Smythe winner's award. Thomas became the first American to win playoff MVP since Brian Leetch. It seems like the affable 37 year-old deserves the icing on the cake.

NORRIS- Zdeno Chara, Nick Lidstrom, Shea Weber

Each are outstanding in their own right with the remarkable 41 year-old six-time winner trying to tie Doug Harvey. Lidstrom is up for the league's top defenseman for a ridiculous 11th time in 13 seasons. That the Detroit captain re-upped for one more year today is even better. One of the game's all-time greats gets one more chance to deliver another Cup to Motown. Still, it really should come down to defending champ Chara versus Weber, whose leadership/value cannot be overstated. Like Zach Parise, he's going to arbitration. Hopefully, the Preds will do everything in their power to retain their captain. I'd really love to see him win if for nothing else, because Nashville doesn't have one elite scorer and Weber's been waiting a while. Honestly, Chara's a freak of nature- able to impact games in so many ways. Whether it's sheer strength, brutality or even dexterity for the near seven-footer, he is the game's top blueliner. Whoever wins is deserving.

HART- Daniel Sedin, Corey Perry, Martin St. Louis

What's not to like about this class? All are dynamic forwards who are vital for their respective clubs. While it'd be fun to see another Sedin win in back-to-back years, I find myself rooting for '04 winner St. Louis, who is the backbone of the Bolts. He has always flown under the radar. Especially with Steven Stamkos emerging into one of the game's elite scorers. However, it's hard to argue with Perry, who carried the Ducks down the stretch with Ryan Getzlaf banged up. Perry is a throwback who will do anything to win a game, even if it means dropping 'em. His final month-plus was remarkable. If you're going for consistency, the other two were stronger. But let's give the nod to Perry.

SELKE- Pavel Datsyuk, Ryan Kesler, Jonathan Toews

What can be said about three of the smartest players on the planet. All are terrific in their own right with three-time recipient Datsyuk leading the way. There really is no better overall hockey player than the crafty Russian pivot, who also overshadows '09 Conn Smythe winner Henrik Zetterberg. How Detroit can have two of the best players in the world who have no flaws is beyond me. Especially when they stole them. I love watching Datsyuk fly. His effort is always there. Even when he's not producing, the backcheck is constant and nobody's better at stealing a puck and turning it into offense. The man is legendary. However, this really was Kesler's year with the American eclipsing 40 goals for the first time while shutting down opposing scorers. Outside of a quiet Cup, he had a terrific postseason while Toews did all he could to scare the Canucks. All three are worthy but it says here that Kes deserves his first.

JACK ADAMS- Dan Bylsma, Barry Trotz, Alain Vigneault

It comes down to Bylsma, who guided the Pens minus Sid and Geno to the playoffs. Sure. I will always have total admiration for The Czar, Trotz- who every year squeezes as much out of the Preds despite a lack of talent up front. It amazes how tough they are in the face of adversity. No matter who they lose, this team always finds a way. A tribute to Trotz. However, Bylsma did an outstanding job just getting his team in following the loss of his dynamic duo. Kris Letang had a brutal second half and Jordan Staal ran out of steam along with the grinding Pens against Tampa, which was predicted. He deserves to win. Vigneault is not a great coach. Not when he has the most talent. He was badly outcoached by Claude Julien, who finally got his due after an unfair exit from New Jersey. I still can't believe Guy Boucher was passed up. It is what it is.

LADY BYNG- Loui Eriksson, Nick Lidstrom, Martin St. Louis

Is there a more gentlemanly player than Lidstrom? Oh sure. St. Louis's won it before and one of the game's underrated finishers Eriksson is a fine choice. Amazing as it sounds, the do everything Swede who proved a European captain could lead his team to a Cup- has never won this prestigous award. Alright. You don't really care. But in an age where instigators like Matt Cooke, Alex Burrows and Jarkko Ruutu exist, it still is nice to reward character. The choice is Lidstrom.

BILL MASTERTON- Ray Emery, Daymond Langkow, Ian Laperriere

There is no more special award than this one, which rewards perseverance after overcoming great obstacles. All three are worthy of this award with both Emery and Langkow coming back from tough setbacks. Everyone knows about Emery, who was once of the NHL's bad boys before off-ice issues saw him wind up in the KHL. He returned to the league and fared well with Anaheim, helping backstop them into the playoffs- overcoming avascular necrosis, which interrupts blood flow. Without him, the Ducks don't make it. As for Langkow, he finally returned from a fractured vertebrae in April. Always an inspirational player who was overlooked on the old Flyers teams, Langkow is a good story. A high character guy that all teams need. Pencil in Mason Raymond next year. Of the trio, Laperriere's the best. The way his career ended was sad. Sacrificing his body to block a shot in the Flyers' first round triumph last year over the Devils. You're not taught to dive in front face first as he risked not only his manhood, but his life. That's why hockey players are toughest SOBs on the planet. I always had a soft spot for Ian stemming from his too brief stint here (thanks Messier/Neil Smith). He was forced to retire but still works in a capacity with the Flyers. I hope he wins. Imagine the reception.

LESTER B. PEARSON Corey Perry, Daniel Sedin, Steven Stamkos

The award for MVP as chosen by the NHLPA is pretty cool. Imagine being selected by your own peers as the game's best. I always like this award and we get three superb candidates, with Hart nominees Perry and Daniel up for it along with Stamkos, who cooled off considerably but still finished second in goals (45) and fifth in points (91). Give to the kid who made Barry Melrose eat his words.

Congratulations to Rocket Richard winner Corey Perry, who paced the league with 50 goals and to Art Ross winner Daniel Sedin, whose 104 points were five better than Martin St. Louis. Vancouver's duo of Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider will receive the Jennings for fewest goals allowed, combined by a team.

TOP EXECUTIVE- Mike Gillis, David Poile, Steve Yzerman

Nobody deserves it more than Stevie Y, who in Year 1 added all the right pieces even if his Bolts fell a little short against eventual champion Boston. Whether it was adding pieces like Dominic Moore, Sean Bergenheim and Eric Brewer or picking up vet Dwayne Roloson from the Islanders for the home stretch, Yzerman did everything in his power to deliver a second Cup to Tampa. With a nucleus that features Stamkos, St. Louis, rejuvenated Vinny Lecavalier, Victor Hedman, Pavel Kubina and Brewer along with the game's scrappiest line (Bergenheim-Moore-Downie), there's a lot to like about the Lightning's chances. Especially with one of the greatest captains running the show. They're not going away anytime soon. Don't forget the choice of Boucher too. Gillis is in there for a stellar season while Poile deserves inclusion for how he keeps the Preds competitive. But this is Stevie Y's.

MESSIER LEADERSHIP- Zdeno Chara, Shane Doan, Nick Lidstrom

It'd be easy for Mark Messier to present the trophy to either Chara or Lidstrom, who exemplify the unique qualities The Captain did. Anytime you got the only two European captains to lead their teams to Lord Stanley, it makes them co-favorites. While I respect both, there's a lot of love for Doan, who has been Mr. Jet/Coyote throughout. Despite a move, all the rumors and uncertainty, Shane's been a classy leader, who's helped get the franchise back to the postseason in consecutive years. He has always flown under the radar and deserves this award.


Coming Tomorrow: We present our All-Star Teams

Random Musings

Normally, I only get to do Ranger recaps. Especially with my blogging limited to the New York Public Library. Rather than relive another frustrating Ranger loss in which they saw their shadow, I figured it's time to chime in on what's happening around the league. Without further notice, in no particular order:

1.The Devils' 10-1-2 run has got them within 15 points of eighth. Amazing considering at one point they were like 10-29. Ilya Kovalchuk has turned his year around and Jacques Lemaire is once again proving why he's such a good coach- squeezing whatever he can out of Brian Rolston, Dainius Zubrus and kids Nick Palmeiri and Mattias Tedenby. Can they make the playoffs? Well, considering how weak the competition is, they have a slight chance. But one slip up could prove costly. Simply put, just keep winning and anything's possible.

2.The Sabres are only a few points off eighth themselves. Boosted by Drew Stafford's latest hat trick that hiked his total to 20 goals in a stunning 7-4 come from behind win over second seeded Tampa, Buffalo has a more realistic shot at making it. It all depends on Ryan Miller and whether Tyler Myers can turn it on. In the mean time, they're getting inspired play from Stafford, Thomas Vanek, Jordan Leopold (actual Regier steal) and rookie Tyler Ennis. If they're to be taken seriously, then tonight's a must win at Florida who are two points behind.

3.Speaking of the Panthers, I know Dale Tallon used to be the Blackhawks' GM but that doesn't mean he gets to hook up his former team. What on earth was he thinking dealing away Michael Frolik and goalie prospect Alexander Salak to Chitown for Jack Skille, Hugh Jessiman and David Pacan. Yes! That Jessiman. Skille could evolve into a solid player but Frolik has higher end skill and Salak is tearing up the Swedish Elite League. It says here that this could be one of those deals that's a steal for the Blackhawks.

4.Does anyone have worse luck than the Islanders? Rick DiPietro goes down again after foolishly engaging Matt Cooke, leading to a one punch knockdown by Brent Johnson. Then, Kevin Poulin trips over a rut in the ice during warmups the other night finishing the poor rookie for the season and forcing Mikko Koskinen into his first start a half hour prior- an Islander 5-3 loss. Now, GM Garth Snow is banking on former Rangers' first round bust Al Montoya, who he acquired last night for a pick. It just amazes. Does Montoya debut for the Islanders tonight in Montreal fresh off a beatdown literally from nemesis Boston? Could the timing be any worse?

5.Speaking of the beatdown the Bruins put on the Canadiens last night in one of the all-time greatest regular season games, what can you say about their revenge following Max Pacioretty's antics last time out when he celebrated an OT winner by shoving Boston captain Zdeno Chara? It was a hockey civil war at TD Garden with one of the most heated rivalries going back and forth literally in a game that featured 14 combined goals, 182 penalty minutes including at least eight fights and a rivalry record eight goals in the second period with seven coming in just over a six-minute span! This was armageddon or as we love to reference from hockey classic Slap Shot, "Old-Time Hockey!!!!!" Indeed, Eddie Shore and Paul Newman's Reggie Dunlop character along with The Hanson Brothers would've been proud. Even All-Star goalies Carey Price and Tim Thomas got involved in a wrestling match with Price wisely not hitting Thomas while he was down for risk of injury. That along with Benoit Pouliot letting up on a fallen David Krejci were the only signs of respect. When you have a line brawl that features 11 different players in the penalty boxes with the Boston crew entertaining the crowd by alternating Habs and Bruins to boos and cheers, you got something special. Even if the Bruins went out of their way to exact revenge with Nathan Horton getting right in PK Subban's face, igniting it. There was also Johnny Boychuk pounding Jaroslav Spacek and poor Tom Pyatt bloodied by Greg Campbell. The level of insanity was absurd. Underrated B's rookie Brad Marchand ran James Wisniewski after an icing that had NHL Network's panel labeling him dirty. This was classic throwdown hockey at its best. The rematch is March 7 with the other meeting on my Dad's birthday, March 24 next month. Get your popcorn ready!

6.Don't you just love how Brian Burke keeps reacquiring his own players from the Ducks. This time, he unloaded Francois Beauchemin back to Anaheim where the defenseman won a Cup under Burke for oft-injured Joffrey Lupul and Burke '07 first round pick Jake Gardiner. It looks like a good deal for both sides with Anaheim boosting their blueline while the Leafs get a prospect for the future. We're not sure what to expect from Lupul, whose salary is over four million. Staying healthy would be advisable.

7.Jonas Gustavsson isn't going anywhere. Especially after being removed from a Marlies blowout of the Whale yesterday after a heart issue. Even if minor, who is going to take a chance on the Swede who's lost his confidence? At least rookie James Reimer looks legit thus far. With breakout seasons for Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin along with Clarke MacArthur, things are looking up for the Leafs as they take on the Devils tonight. What it all means for much rumored Tomas Kaberle who gets Beauchemin's 'A' remains to be seen. You just never know what Burke's thinking. You have to figure close buddy Ron Wilson's gone after the season with his relationship with Phil Kessel sour. Who knows what Toronto will look like next Fall?

8.Is it a tad ironic how well Calgary's played since Jay Feaster replaced Christmas grinch Darryl Suter upstairs? The Flames aren't the most talented but everyone's chipping in and they suddenly find themselves in if the season ended today while defending champion Chicago would be out. We can't see that continuing.

9.Whatever happened to Marian Hossa, superstar?

10.So, Peter Forsberg's coming back again for the struggling Avs? Does he got anything left? Foppa looked good at last year's Olympics but competing in the NHL everyday is stressful. Forsberg's one of the all-time great talents having won Olympic gold twice, Lord Stanley, Art Ross and Hart Trophy. His legacy remains intact regardless if this comeback succeeds. But when you look at all the injuries, isn't it a little sad/ironic that his career has taken a similar path to link Eric Lindros? You know Lindros probably will never make the Hockey Hall Of Fame despite excellent numbers along with an MVP. But Forsberg probably will due to having more hardware and not being pampered his whole life. The Quebec controversy and the way his Flyers' career ended which we still blame on Bobby Clarke along with all the concussions overshadow Lindros' contributions. One of the most dominant big men to ever play the game. Why else does Patrick Kane wear No.88? It just makes you wonder.

11.I'm a former top finisher. I scored 42 goals last season and a career high 86 points in my first season on Broadway. Have You Seen Me?

12.With Sid The Kid still uncertain when he'll return from a concussion, here's our top Hart candidates:

A.Steven Stamkos, TB: 40-43-73
B.Daniel Sedin, Van: 29-43-72
C.Tim Thomas, Bos: 26 Wins, 1.91 GAA, .942 Save Pct, 7 SHO
D.Ryan Kesler, Van: 32-22-54, 10 PPG, 6 GW

13.Finally, Matt Cooke got suspended four games for boarding Fedor Tyutin from behind in the Pens' 4-1 home loss to the Blue Jackets. What is there left to say about a man who once was a good hockey player minus the cheap tactics he's performed since donning a Pens' jersey? I recall a time when Cooke was a pretty clean player for the Canucks. One I respected. He then was dealt to the Caps. Is it ironic that he stuck his leg out at Alex Ovechkin in similar fashion to Ovi's trip that injured Olympic Russian teammate Sergei Gonchar two Springs prior? We doubt it. Cooke always lived dangerously injuring players and usually getting away with it. This time, the league finally took action. We all know the history with Marc Savard, who is shutdown again following another concussion. This isn't about one severe head shot but about a player who goes out of his way to injure opponents. What happened to him? Did he sell his soul to the Devil? One day, someone's going to get Cooke. Then, we'll see how he likes it and what the same foolish fans who defend him have to say.

14.A shame about Evgeni Malkin, who's been plagued with knee problems all year. The gifted Russian who won the Conn Smythe in the Pens' third Stanley Cup two years ago will have season ending ACL/MCL surgery. He's expected to be back in time for training camp. We'll see. Wishing one of the game's special talents a speedy recovery.