The NHL has announced the nominees for the Hart Memorial Trophy.
The nominees are Alex Ovechkin from Washington, Sidney Crosby from Pittsburgh and Henrik Sedin (who I think is the front-runner) from Vancouver.
The NHL has announced the finalists for the Calder award which is awarded to the NHL’s best rookie.
The nominees are Tyler Myers, Matt Duchene, and Jimmy Howard.
I’m thinking that Jimmy Howard has a firm grip on this award.
The nominees for the Selke award are Pavel Datsyuk, Ryan Kesler, and Jordan Staal.
The Selke is awarded to the forward who demonstrates the best defensive ability.
Datsyuk won the award last year.
Marty Brodeur, Ryan Miller, Ilya Bryzgalov and Tim Thomas (just kidding) have been announced as the nominees for the Vezina award.
I’ve already covered the Calder and Vezina trophy. Today I’ll predict the rest of the awards.
First up, Coach of the Year, or the Jack Adams award.
Winner: Dave Tippett. Tippett led the Coyotes to their first playoff appearance since way to long ago. Despite not having a player reach 30 goals, they are in fourth place in the Western Conference.
Runners-Up: Alain Vigneault of the Canucks. Terry Murray of the Kings.
Art Ross
Winner: Henrik Sedin with 112 points on the year.
Runners-Up: Alex Ovechkin with 109 points and Sidney Crosby with 109 points.
Hart Trophy:
Winner: Henrik Sedin. He has a league leading 112 points on the year and really carried the Canucks when brother Daniel was sidelined with an injury. When Ovechkin was injured or suspended the Caps fared fine and didn’t miss a beat, which proves that he isn’t the most valuable player to his team.
Runners-Up: Ryan Miller, Alex Ovechkin, Ilya Bryzgalov
“Rocket” Richard Trophy:
Winner: Tie between Steven Stamkos and Sidney Crosby with 51 goals each.
Runner-Up: Alex Ovechkin with 50 goals.
Norris Trophy:
Winner: Mike Green. He may not be the best defensive defenseman, but he is over a point per game with 76 points in 75 games and is almost the hands down favorite for the award.
Runners-Up: Drew Doughty, Nick Lidstrom, Dan Boyle.
The Vezina award is given to the goaltender that is judged to be the best at the position. This was a good year for goalies, but a few stood out head and shoulders above the rest.
First, we have Ryan Miller. The netminder for the Northwest division leading Buffalo Sabres, Miller maybe best known for his heroic performance at the 2010 Olympic Games leading USA to Silver. Miller is first in the NHL in both SV% (.928) and GAA (2.23) (I don’t count Tuukka Rask or Antti Niemi, sorry), 4th in wins (39) and has 4 shutouts.
Next, we have Ilya Bryzagalov. Bryz has been a solid goalie for years, with a career GAA of 2.55 and SV% of .914. This year Bryz has really turned it on with a 2.30 GAA and a .920 SV% with a league leading (tied with Brodeur) 8 shutouts, leading Phoenix to their first playoff birth since 2002.
Finally, we have good ole’ Marty Brodeur. Marty has posted a respectable .915 SV% and a 2.30 GAA. He is tied for the league lead in shutouts with Bryzgalov and leads the NHL in wins with 42.
Time for honorable mentions. These are goalies who have no chance of winning the Vezina, but deserve some recognition.
Jonathan Quick with a 2.51 GAA and a .908 SV% and 39 wins.
Henrik Lundqvist with a 2.39 GAA and a .920 SV%.
Jaroslav Halak with a 2.31 GAA and a .927 SV%.
Winner: I have a feeling the Ryan Miller will get the award. I wouldn’t be surprised at all, though, if Bryzgalov walked away with the award.
The NHL season season is quickly winding down. Here at BlueShirts and Pinstripes Blog, I’ll be taking a look at the NHL Awards of the next few days and picking who I think deserves/will win the award. I’ll look at the award, give last years winner, the nominees and who I think will win it.
Today we’ll be looking at the Calder Trophy. The Calder Trophy is given to the best rookie player in the NHL.
Last Year’s Winner: Steve Mason, 33-20-7 with a 2.29 GAA and a .916 SV%.
Nominee’s:
Matt Duchene. After being selected third-overall by the Colorado Avalanche in last years draft, Duchene has rocketed to the top of the stat sheet for rookies in goals, points, games played and powerplay goals. Here’s a look at Duchene.
Tyler Myers. This rookie defenseman was drafted 12th overall in 2008 by the Buffalo Sabres. He currently leads the NHL in rookie assists and averages over 23 minutes per game. Here’s Myers.
Jimmy Howard. Howard has toiled and labored in the AHL for four long years without getting much NHL action. His break came this year when Ken Holland gave him the job as back-up to Chris Osgood. Osgood got the flu and Howard was inserted as the starter, and to make a long story short, Howard has started the last 22 games for the Red Wings and has posted a 33-15-9 record with a 2.24 GAA and a .926 SV%.
Winner: Jimmy Howard. The man is a beast. He sports the second best GAA at 2.24 (I don’t count Tuukka Rask) and is third in SV% at 9.26. This one has to be Howard, hands down.
