Fansided Bloggers Pick NHL Awards Winners
With the regular season in the books for over a week now, I thought it best to ask around the Fansided network to see what some of our staff writers and editors thought of the past season. Best way to gauge how the season went (or so I think)? Poll everyone on who they think should win which awards. While some were pretty much unanimous with their answers, not every category was clear cut. Despite the fact that people were telling me there were some “guarantees” no one player had all 7 possible votes for each category. We still have a few more weeks until the NHL Awards, but us here at Fansided wanted to get a jump on this.
First let’s introduce our esteemed bloggers:
Dave Church, you should recognize him from Flame For Thought as a staff writer.
Dan Bradley is the editor over at Predlines, covering all things Nashville Predators as they quest for the Stanley Cup.
James Wrable is the c0-editor of Blueline Station where you can find out everything you need to know about the New York Rangers.
Sally Brown covers the Carolina Hurricanes over at Cardiac Cane as a staff writer.
David Lasseter is part of The Rattrick family, blogging about the Florida Panthers and their playoff run.
Andrew Monrreal writes for Blackout Dallas as a staff writer covering the Dallas Stars.
Jeff Chapman is the editor for Oil On Whyte, the Fansided blog dedicated to the dreaded Edmonton Oilers.
I think you will find this group’s hockey knowledge both extensive and exhaustive.
Hart Memorial Trophy is awarded to the league’s most valuable player. Currently it is held by Corey Perry of the Anaheim Ducks, but our blogging team doesn’t think he is going to see the trophy again. According to all but of the 1 bloggers, Evgeni Malkin from the Pittsburgh Penguins will walk away with the Hart trophy this summer. Dan Bradley was the only one who picked another player, Jonathan Quick from the LA Kings, stating ” Where would the Kings be without him? Pittsburgh has had success without Geno before. Quick carried that team.” What do you think? Is Dan silly for going against the other 6 picks? Or do you think he has some logic with his pick of Quick?
James Norris Memorial Trophy is awarded to the defenseman who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position. Nicklas Lidström was awarded the Norris Trophy last season and it looks like he will be not receiving it again if our writers have anything to say about it. Once again, 6 pick Erik Karlsson with Sally Brown telling me all of his stats (thanks! I try to block out all news about the Ottawa Senators, so it was nice to see what they’ve going on) but more importantly she thinks Karlsson will win because “he has a mustache”.
Calder Memorial Trophy goes to the leagues most outstanding rookie. Jeff Skinner was last year’s rookie of the year and this season it look like his replacement is either Gabriel Landeskog (6 picks) or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (1 pick). Dave Church picked RNH despite his allegiance to the Flames, however Jeff Chapman says despite his love of RNH, ” Landeskog has played tougher minutes and has played in almost every situation given to him.
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy is awarded to the player who exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability. Martin St. Louis currently is the Byngiest of all players but only receives one vote this season from our bloggers. His competition? David Lasseter and and Dave Church went with Brian Campbell of the Florida Panthers, while Sally and Jeff went with Matt Moulson from the New York Islanders, Andrew Monrreal went with Dallas Stars’ Loui Eriksson, Dan chose Philadelphia Flyers’ Hulk Hogan Scott Hartnell after asking if they still awarded this, and James Wrable went with Martin St. Louis himself.
Frank J. Selke Memorial Trophy goes to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game. While Ryan Kesler seems to have worn out his welcome this post season, he was last year’s recipient of the Selke. Our bloggers seem to think he will be replaced by a number of well liked players around the league. Dan and Dave Church went with St. Louis Blues’ David Backes with Dan stating, “He’s not just good on paper, he’s harder to play against.” Patrice Bergeron had 3 picks, with David Lasseter, Andrew, and Sally (well she was a bit unsure of her vote). James went with his “upset pick” Ryan Callahan and Dave Church called him a runner up. What surprised me was Pavel Datsyuk only getting one pick, from Jeff who said “Best defensive forward? How about 97 takeaways in 70 games? Maybe the 67 points will do it for you?”
Vezina Trophy is awarded to the league’s top goaltender. Tim Thomas won this, the Stanley Cup, the Prince of Wales Trophy, and and Conn Smythe last season with the Boston Bruins. It seems this year he’s not even in the running for the Vezina. An almost unanimous vote occurred in this category went to Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers. One pick, by Jeff, went to Mike Smith of the Phoenix Coyotes, and one went to Jonathan Quick by David Lasseter. Jeff on his pick of Smith: “38 wins, 8 shutouts and a .930 SV% on a Coyotes team that was supposed to be a bubble team that ended up winning the Pacific.” Dan doesn’t have faith in Quick or Smith winning it because “Western voters will be split between Smith, Quick, and Rinne. Plus, the King is due.”
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is awarded to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey. Ian Laperriere of the Philadelphia Flyers currently the Masterton winner, our bloggers think it could go to any number of players this season. James, Sally, and Andrew all have Montreal Canadiens’ Max Pacioretty. Jeff defends his choice of Pittsburgh Penguins’ Matt Cooke by stating, “Not sold he’s completely changed his ways, but he’s cut his PIMS into a third and can actually play offence, scoring 19 goals and 38 points (both are his highest since w/ VAN in 02-03)”. David Lasseter picked Tomas Fleischmann of the Florida Panthers. Dave Church decided his pick would be Jaromir Jagr of the Philadelphia Flyers. And Dan had 4 picks (with a strong stance that he wouldn’t be picking Cooke): Brian Elliott, Mike Smith, Jordin Tootoo, and Tomas Fleischmann.
NHL General Manager of the Year Award, given to the top NHL general manager, was awarded to Mike Gillis of the Vancouver Canucks. This season there seems to be a lack of faith in the Canucks, votes going towards a variety of other GMs instead. GM of the Florida Panthers, Dave Tallon was picked by James, Sally, and David Lasseter. Sally said it best, ” The collection of guys he picked gelled and it worked.” Paul Holmgren, the GM of the Philadelphia Flyers was picked by Andrew. Jeff thinks Bryan Murray of the Ottawa Senators will be GM of the year stating, “A hustle there, and a hustle there/Ottawa’s the place where they said, hey babe, take a walk on the wild side.” Dan believe’s David Poile’s work with the Nashville Predators will net him GM of the year. And Dave Church believes that Doug Armstrong of the St. Louis Blues has the best shot of the GM award.
Jack Adams Award is given to the NHL coach adjudged to have contributed the most to his team’s success and is currently Dan Bylsma of the Pittsburgh Penguins. That award won’t be going to him this season if the bloggers are the voice of the people. An almost unanimous vote again decided the Adams would go to Ken Hitchcock of the St. Louis Blues with one pick going to Paul MacLean of the Ottawa Senators by Jeff stating “Team was supposed to contend for last place, instead are fighting the Rangers in round 1.”
Agree? Disagree? Leave comments to let us know what you think will happen this summer.