NHL Awards Roundtable: It’s something for us to talk about.
Once the large silver trophy is handed to Dustin Brown this June, we won’t have much to talk about until the draft. But unlike the NBA who gives their awards out before random home playoff games, the NHL puts on a show in Las Vegas. Seriously, this is a wonderful idea- inviting a bunch of Canadians who can drink the writers under the table to a place known for… never mind. Let’s just say Vegas seems like the perfect location.
With that said, there isn’t much to pick from this year as far as “competitive races”. But screw it, let’s pick some winners.
Bill Masterton Award
Finalists- Daniel Alfredsson, Joffrey Lupul, Max Pacioretty
Dan: I’d pick Lupul for my ballot, but I’ve got a feeling that the sentimental pick will be Alfie. Regardless, while this isn’t the inspirational ballot we’d like to see these are some good men and good players. And I’m still in the euphoria of Matt Cooke not being a finalist.
CJ: Everyone loves Alfie and Max Pacioretty’s comeback has been noteworthy, but Joffrey Lupul’s career season only a year after it was questioned if he’d ever play again puts the other two to shame. Playing in a market like Toronto where the pressure is always on makes what Lupul did even more remarkable.
Caroline: As terrifying as Max Pacioretty’s injury was, and as heart-warming as Daniel Alfredsson’s return was, Joffrey Lupul’s story hit an entirely different note for me. There just seems to be something a bit heavier about overcoming an actual disorder (blood, in Lupul’s case), rather than returning from an injury of some kind. I’m in no way downplaying the seriousness of either Pacioretty or Aldresson’s return, but Lupul really deserves this.
Link: I’m going to agree with Dan on this one. Lupul fought through some tough times in Anaheim including a back injury and blood infection. I certainly didn’t anticipate seeing his resurgence, especially such a stellar one with Maple Leafs. Will he get overshadowed by the old guy? Probably, but people seem to like voting for old Swedes.
Jack Adams Award
Finalists- Ken Hitchcock, Paul MacLean, John Tortorella
Dan: I can’t see a situation where Ken Hitchcock doesn’t win this award. Fine jobs done by Torts and the Lorax, but Hitchcock turned the ship around in St. Louis. Did he have a talent laden roster? You bet. But the identity of the team has been re-made, and he did what guys like Davis Payne couldn’t do: get the most out of TJ Oshie. If Big Kenny doesn’t win this, I DEMAND AN EXPLANATION.
CJ: I want to start off by saying I’ve always been a John Tortorella guy, any hockey lifer from Massachusetts who ended up in Tampa (Even though those glory days by Tampa Bay are now over for Torts) is obviously a genius and should be rewarded, but he for once is not getting my vote. Paul MacLean did a great job this season with a young nucleus in Ottawa and should be lauded for his efforts, however Ken Hitchcock’s accomplishments with the St. Louis Blues are what warrants him being awarded coach of the year. After struggling through the first dozen games the Blues made the bold choice to fire Davis Payne and bring in the former Blue Jackets bench boss (I bet the Jackets wish Hitch was still with them) from there St. Louis didn’t look back and captured the Central Division and the #2 seed in the West. The abrasive Hitchcock used his tough love to propel the Blues to levels even they weren’t expecting to reach, further cementing the bright future for the team in the Gateway to the West. On a side not: all due respect to Torts, MacLean, and Hitchcock the fact that neither Trotzy nor Florida Panthers bench boss Kevin Dineen weren’t nominated is truly a shame.
Caroline: I hate the Blues. I really do. But if Ken Hitchcock doesn’t win this award, I don’t even know what… he took an absolutely TERRIBLE team comprised of good, but not necessarily “super-star” quality, players and turned them into one of the most difficult teams in the league to beat. And they continued to be one of the most difficult teams to beat for most of the season. (And then they got swept in the playoffs, but we aren’t counting that.)
Link: Hitchcock is easy pick for this award, but I’m going to go with MacLean on this one. Hitchcock turned an underachieving group of payers into a really boring, overachieving out of payers. On the other hand MacLean took what everyone saw as a bunch of bottom feeders into a quality team. Instead of Alfredsson fading into the night he got a good run and may push for one more season.
Frank J. Selke Trophy
Finalists- David Backes, Patrice Bergeron, Pavel Datsyuk
Dan: While normally I’d support Backes, I’m leaning to the side of Bergeron. Faceoffs, scoring, and general smart play will always have a spot on any roster. The knock on Backes is penalty minutes, which he took more than his share. Datsyuk put up some very good numbers, and individually he may be the toughest to play against in the NHL. But, Bergeron has earned his time at the top.
CJ: Has anyone in the NHL accomplished more in the last 2 years than Patrice Bergeron? Olympic Gold, long-term extension, Stanley Cup, Cup winning goal, the list goes on and all due respect to Backes and Datsyuk, this is the year Patrice adds the Selke trophy to his cupboard. Bergeron led the league in plus/minus as well as the reigning champions in shorthanded ice time amongst forwards and emerged as a veteran presence on a youthful line with youngsters Tyler Seguin and Brad Marchand, helping both emerge as elite players. After years of being called one of the most underrated players in the league Bergeron will finally be rewarded for his 200 foot game by being named the league’s best defensive forward.
Caroline: For me, this award really came down to Datsyuk and Bergeron. I don’t have anything against Backes, but I just think Datsyuk and Bergeron were, hands-down, stronger candidates. Pavel is pretty much just good at everything about hockey, so if he were up against anyone but Bergeron, he would win. However, Patrice Bergeron deserves every inch of this award. The guy did everything a defensive forward is supposed to do, and then some. And despite the fact that it’s sometimes a sketchy stat, he did lead the league in +/-, which isn’t easy.
Link: Datsyuk might lose this year because as a whole the Red Wings weren’t the team that we’ve been used to over the past few years. Backes simply isn’t going to win the award of Datsyuk and that leaves Bergeron as the winner.
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
Finalists- Brian Campbell, Jordan Eberle, Matt Moulson
Dan: I’m never good at picking these, simply because I like to cheer for the villain. If they gave this award to Scott Hartnell, I’d be a happy dude. I wanted Dustin Brown to skate the Campbell bowl around the ice in Phoenix just for kicks. Between those three, Eberle works as a fine winner.
CJ: All three are very deserving candidates, but I have to go with Brian Campbell over both Moulson and Jordan Eberle. No defenseman has won the award since the 1950s and given that Campbell had a renaissance year this season in South Florida topping it off with some hardware wouldn’t hurt.
Caroline: Matt Moulson had 6 total penalty minutes all season, didn’t take a penalty in his last 47 games, scored a career-high 36 goals, and ended up with 69 points on the season. Yeah, I’m gonna go with Moulson.
Link: I’m sure they’re all nice guys and I’ll be happy for whoever wins. I’ll pick Moulson because I like the guy, he’s committed to the Islanders of all teams, and well… It’s the Lady Byng.
Calder Memorial Trophy
Finalists- Adam Henrique, Gabriel Landeskog, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
Dan: Where the heck is Sean Couturier? The Flyers rookies got hosed here. That said, Landeskog never looked like a rookie this year. Solid, complete player. RNH had a season that no one would sneeze at, and Henrique is still chipping in during the playoffs. Call me a little sour, I was looking forward to debating the merits of a good defensive rookie. Some day, they’ll create a second award for rookies.
CJ: Philadelphia fans should be up in arms more than usual with the NHL for neither of their super rookies Sean Couturier or Matt Read being finalists but given this pool I have to go with Gabriel Landeskog of the Colorado Avalanche. No player in recent memory has come into the league with a better combination of grit, size, and skill. Landeskog will be a great complement to the Avs skilled centers in Matt Duchene and Ryan O’Reilly for years to come.
Caroline: This one is always the most difficult for me, mostly because I never seem to have a good opportunity to see the nominees play, and therefore I don’t have much to go on. That being said, I’ve really only seen Landeskog and Nugent-Hopkins play, and my memory says that Landeskog looked a bit more solid and confident than RNH, so… yeah… I guess I’ll go with Gabe. Woo.
Link: No Read. No Couturier. This trophy is already a joke. I don’t think that Henrique deserves the award. I struggle with the same thing others have. If RNH doesn’t get injured then he’d would have this award wrapped up in all likelihood. So I’m going to make my Oilers fan friend happy and pick RNH.
James Norris Trophy
Finalists- Zdeno Chara, Erik Karlsson, Shea Weber
Dan: I’d be OK with Chara getting this, but naturally I’m pulling for Weber. Shea Weber was the weapon that the Predator’s power play orbited around, and like Chara, played defense. Erik Karlsson didn’t impress anyone on his own side of the ice, but is a pure offensive force. But the award is for best defenseman. Adv- Shea Weber.
CJ: Offensive numbers like Karlsson’s are rare, but the whole DEFENSE part of being a defenseman leaves a lot to be desired. It comes down to Weber and Big Z and though they both mean a lot to their team, Weber’s contributions are slightly more important. No defenseman in the NHL has the combination of offensive prowess complemented by grit and tenacity that Weber does. Shea was blatantly robbed last year and this is the year he captures his first of what will hopefully be many Norris trophies.
Caroline: If Erik Karlsson wins this award, I’m going on an expedition to Ottawa, and I’m bringing a torch and a pitchfork. I’m sorry (actually I’m not sorry), but Karlsson was NOT the best all around defenseman in the league this year. He just wasn’t. He’s an excellent offensive defenseman, but the Norris is about being well-rounded. Weber and Chara are both stronger candidates, and while I don’t want Chara to win (he annoys me for some reason… I just really don’t like him), I’d rather Chara win than Karlsson. But Weber deserves this award, and damnit he better win it.
Link: A Predators blog picking Weber, no shock there. Of course anyone but Weber winning the trophy this would be a shock. Weber looks the best all around and it is helpful that he has around half as many penalty minutes. Karlsson should be a none factor until he stops being a far less irritating Mike Green.
Vezina Trophy
Finalists- Henrik Lundqvist, Pekka Rinne, Jonathan Quick
Dan: My ballot would be for Quick, but I have a strong feeling it’s going to Henrik. Nothing wrong with that, but Quick had the best season. With little goal support, Quick carried the water for the Kings until reinforcements arrived. Here’s your challenge- replace all three netminders with Jose Theodore, and tell me which teams make the playoffs. Rangers and Predators likely, Kings… heck no.
CJ: Even without his stellar postseason numbers Jonathan Quick was the league’s top goaltender from start to finish this year. Simply put without Quick the Kings would be in the Yakupov sweepstakes. As great as both Pekka Rinne and King Henrik were all year neither one of them had to deal with a lack of offense the way Quick did. The Zoomass Umass Amherst product turned in one of the greatest seasons in recent memory and has more than earned the Vezina.
Caroline: Quick has been a freaking STUD. I can’t imagine anyone else winning the Vezina this year (though something tells me Lundqvist’s gonna take it). Rinne did lead the league in wins, which IS the most important stat when it comes down to it, and Lundqvist had a career year, but Quick slung the entire LA Kings organization over his shoulder and trundled on down the road with them to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Quick has earned this fair and square.
Link: I think Lundqvist is just the best. Quick was probably the best goalie this season, but Lundqvist was every bit as effective and frankly has earned a little bit of hardware of his efforts. Is that the wrong way to pick a winner? Who cares.
Hart Trophy
Finalists- Henrik Lundqvist, Evgeni Malkin, Steven Stamkos
Dan: Stamkos? I guess 60 goals gets you something. I’d have an issue with it going to Hank because… where is Quick on this list? Malkin will win this, but is he truly the most valuable player on that team? That’s a hard call. In a more perfect world: Claude Giroux, Jonathan Quick, and Geno would be a more interesting Hart race. But it’s not, and Malkin is taking this one home.
CJ: I love Stammer as much as the next man but when your team is in the lottery you cannot be a most valuable player. As for King Henrik as great as he was all year you have to believe the New York media played a role in his being a finalist, because if any goalie were to be named a finalist he plays in Hollywood and goes by the name of Jonathan Quick. The only real option is Evegni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins as he played a good portion of the year without his partner in crime Sidney Crosby. Geno, who came back from a torn ACL stronger than ever simply earned the trophy by his other worldly play and reestablished himself as a top 3 forward in the league.
Caroline: …Lundqvist? Uh, sticking with goalies, both Quick and Rinne more deserving of this nomination. No offense buddy, but no. Now 60 goals are unbelievable, but it’s hard to argue with Malkin’s season. I feel like any and all Penguins get knocked just because they’re Penguins. Everyone and their mother and their cousin and their great aunt and their step-grandpa seem to have a beef with the Penguins. Well, you know what? 109 points make you pretty damn valuable. Malkin deserves the award, and it doesn’t mean there’s a NHL-Penguins-conspiracy. He just deserves it.
Link: I‘m going to go ahead and cast my vote for Claude Giroux. With the absence of Pronger and the trading of Richards and Carter, Giroux stepped up and lead the team on and off the ice. Sure there were still guys like Timmonen and Briere, but it was Giroux that came into his own as a superstar and a leader.