NHL Awards: Early Predictions

Whilst waiting for the Battle of Ontario to commence (much like the battle for the TV remote on a Saturday evening- no matter what who you watch it’s going to be crap) I started, perhaps a little prematurely, to think about possible individual award winners.

I’ve stuck to just these seven awards since they involve much opinion and therefore hopefully debate. One rule I made was you can not pick any winners from your own organisation (actually this wasn’t much of a problem for me). Below are my choices, so scribble yours down too. Oh and this quite neatly covers up CJ’s silly PK trade rumours don’t you think.


Hart Memorial (Most Valuable)

Winner: Steven Stamkos (TBL)
Stamkos paired with Martin St Louis has formed the most devastating duo in the National hockey League; Sedin who? The young forward (he is only 21 years of age) leads the league in goals and points. A guaranteed formula to bag yourself a Hart.

Runner-up: Tim Thomas (BOS)
Only an outstanding season from a goalie has any chance of debunking the above formula. Unfortunately for Timmy 60+ goals is a nuclear bunker.

Honourable mention: Sidney Crosby (PIT)


Calder (Top Rookie)

Winner: Jeff Skinner (CAR)
The rookie leader in assist and points (and third in goals) has kept Eric Staal and the Carolina fans happy all season. He has great hands and potent speed. The 7th overall pick looks to have slotted into the speed of the NHL rather well.

Runner-up: Logan Couture (SJS)
With 24 goals, 13 assists and a +13 rating Couture has stood talk when the giants of the San Jose Sharks have looked like emulating Goliath.

Honourable mention: Michael Grabner (NYI)


Vezina (Top Goaltender)

Winner: Tim Thomas (BOS)
After losing the starting job in Beantown to young Tukka Rask biscuit last season Timmy was expected to be bench warming this season. Not so. Thomas has bounced right back to provide probably one of the best, if not the Hasek-beating best season in the modern era. Show-stopping saves means they have run out of highlight reel in the tape office.

Runner-up: Pekka Rhinne (NSH)
Quietly gone about putting together a season which would have the media writers waxing lyrical if it weren’t for Tim Thomas. What makes it even more special is that Rhinne has done it on a team lacking any offensive support.

Honourable mention: Jonas Hiller (ANA)


Norris (Top Defender)

Winner: Kris Letang (PIT)
Letang made it to the All-Star game on write in nominations alone. For a guy expected to fill the space left by Sergei Gonachar’s departure to the Ottawa Senators he has certainly done his best to make the old Igloo faithful forget the veteran Russian.

Runner-up: Dustin Byfulgien (ATL)
Coach Ramsey surprised a few when he announced that Big Byf would be switching from the right wing where he won a Stanley Cup ring with Chicago to the Blue Line. But it has worked, very well. Dustin leads all D men in goals and has used his dominating posture to great effect in his own zone. His form, and consequently that of his team, has dropped off somewhat recently.

Honourable mention: Keith Yandle (PHO)


Selke (Best Defensive Forward)

Winner: Pavel Datsyuk (DET)
The last person to beat the Russian to this award has now retired. This year we have seen the return of the old Pavel Datysuk, in all 3 zones. Everyone else might as well stay at home and watch the dangler pick up his fourth consecutive award.

Runner-up: Ryan Kesler (VAN)
Kesler is the heart and soul of his team and a damn fine two-way player. He has again taken a step-up this season in both production and defensive contributions. He just happens to be playing in a league with Pavel Datsyuk.

Honourable mention: RJ Umberger (CBJ)


Jack Adams (Best Coach)

Winner: Craig Ramsey (ATL)
Ramsey has taken a team devoid of any super-stars and marched them into play-off contention. They may be on a slide right now but the Thrashers still sit well above where most predicted pre-season. Ramsey has shown that with good team spirit and some well thought out traps a team can flourish. Oh and to top it off, he is a rookie head coach.

Runner-up: Guy Boucher (TBL)
Another rookie NHL head-coach Boucher has taken fellow rookie GM Steve Yzerman’s scorching offensive juggernaut to the echelons of the Eastern Conference. So far they have yet to go on a major skid and show no signs of doing so.

Honourable mention: Jaques Lemaire (NJD)


Buffon Idol (Best GM)

Winner: Steve Yzerman (TBL)
The rookie GM is making quite a name for himself. He would probably give Chuck Norris a run for his money at poker. Not only has he turned the Bolts into an explosive team he has shrewdly tied up the back-end with experienced additions between the pipes and on the blue line to make Tampa a very potent package indeed.

Runner-up: Mike Gillis (VAN)
The Canucks are one of the most complete teams in the Western Conference. This is down to Gillis who has added depth across the roster, especially on the Blue Line. Most would bemoan the number of days lost to injury Vancouver has suffered.

Honourable mention: Bob Murray (ANA)

No mention for Ron Wilson? How strange....

Best coach honourable mention: NJD?? Dude I know you are mad but that takes the piss.

Jonzee wrote:Best coach honourable mention: NJD?? Dude I know you are mad but that takes the piss.

Why? McClean went 9-22-2. Lemaire comes in and has gone 15-8-2 with the same players.

Yeah, but NJD? Come on man.