Award Predictions Vegas Style

June 18, 2009   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

Tonight, the NHL Awards are in Vegas and I’m baffled as to why. I’d prefer it in Toronto or another Canadian city because that’s where it belongs. Chalk it up to Gary Bettman looking to grow the sport. So, get your dice ready and your lucky number. Blackjack, anyone?

So, who will win tonight? There’s sure to be some close calls. Let’s just pick who I’d like to see win:

Calder-Steve Mason, CBJ over Bobby Ryan, Ana

In almost any other season, the kid from Cherry Hill, New Jersey would have a great shot but Mason had amazing numbers (33 Wins, 2.29 GAA, .916 Sv Pct, 10 SHO) for the BJ’s carrying them to their first ever postseason. It’s a no-brainer.

Byng-Zach Parise, NJD over Pavel Datsyuk, Det

Picking the Zach Attack is just a personal wish which is funny coming from a Ranger fan, who should hate him. How can you hate a guy who scores dirty goals and does it in a noble fashion? It’ll probably go to Datsyuk again.

Jack Adams-Claude Julien, Wsh over Andy Murray, Stl

We’ve always been a huge fan of Murray since his emotional outburst coaching the Kings when his team was getting thumped at MSG. Tremendous job getting the Blues back to the postseason. But Julien -who wasn’t good enough for Lou Lamoriello- did an outstanding job making the Bruins one of the league’s best teams. Who saw that coming? Just want to also add that we’re not as outraged as Puck Daddy’s Greg Wyshynski that Todd McLellan, who only led the Sharks to the President’s Trophy got the nod over Brent Sutter. Would any Devil fan really want to see that quitter again?

Selke-Mike Richards, Phi over Pavel Datsyuk, Det

Personally, if it goes to Datsyuk, we’d have no issues because in his brief cameo during the Final, he proved how complete a forward he really is. Some might ask what if he’d been healthy? I think we know the answer. But if this, if that. The Pens won. It’s my believe that Richards deserves to finally take home the league’s best defensive player. Not only is he the unquestioned leader of the Flyers but also faces some of the game’s best and still produces (30-50-80, +22) while also doubling as the game’s most lethal shorthanded player (7 SHG-12 last 2 yrs). That deserves recognition.

Vezina-Tim Thomas, Bos over Niklas Backstrom, Min

Though Backstrom was tremendous for Minnesota, they missed the postseason which will probably tilt it in Thomas’ direction. How can you go against a guy who once was an afterthought playing overseas before finally getting a chance in Beantown after the lockout? All he’s done is worked himself into one of the game’s best at the position. The 36 Wins, 2.10 GAA, .933 save percentage and five shutouts on a team who finished with the second best record should make him a shoe-in. We highly doubt Mason will get it. He’ll have to prove himself. Especially coming off a subpar first round showing versus Detroit. All young netminders must or they’ll be associated with Jim Carey, Blaine Lacher, Jamie McLennan and Brian Boucher.

Norris-Zdeno Chara, Bos over Mike Green, Wsh and Nick Lidstrom, Det

This could be very close. Especially when Mr. Norris is part of the proceedings. Lidstrom’s won half a dozen but we see it coming down between Big Z and Green. Good on the Detroit captain for excusing Crosby for failing to shake everyone’s hand unlike childish teammates Kris Draper and Henrik Zetterberg. Lidstrom is the definition of class and understood the moment. The model of consistency had another great season (59 Pts, +31, 30 PIM) but in our book, Chara was even better (19-31-50, 95 PIM, +23) dominating physically while leading the B’s. For those who adore Green’s offensive explosion (31-42-73, 18 PPG, 4 GW, +24) in D.C., the numbers are hard to debate and he certainly logged a ton of ice-time. Even more amazing, he missed 14 games meaning he averaged more than a point-per-game. Something unheard of in this Era for a blueliner. As brutal a postseason as he had, that might be enough to tilt it in his favor. I’d still go with Chara, who is a better defenseman which is technically what the award is supposed to be about. If Green wins, it’s just another example of why the league needs to create two awards. Handing out a Scott Stevens Award makes sense.

Lester B. Pearson-Evgeni Malkin, Pit over Alex Ovechkin, Wsh and Datsyuk, Det

This award is voted on among peers, rewarding who they feel was the league’s best player. It most likely will go to Ovechkin, who again was awesome following a sluggish start. However, I’d really love to see Malkin win. He led the league in scoring (35-78-113) and proved himself this Spring delivering one of the more memorable performances. The way he flat out dominated the Hurricanes was scary with that one defining moment where he completed the hat trick with that no-look backhand sneaking past Cam Ward. Simply amazing. He also was tremendous in the Finals totaling eight points to conquer his demons. Geno deserves to take home some hardware tonight.

Hart-Ovechkin, Wsh over Malkin, Pit

For the first time ever, three Russians vie for league MVP meaning that for only the third time (Sergei Fedorov-1993-94, Alex Ovechkin-2007-08), the Hart will go to a Russian. We give it to Ovie because he truly was his team’s best player- once again winning the Rocket Richard (56 goals) while totaling 110 points to finish three points behind Malkin. He also had 19 PPG and tied for third in game-winners (10 GW). Malkin having Sid The Kid (33-70-103) works against him. Both are tremendous players who are equally dangerous and don’t magically disappear like Ovie’s running mate Alex Semin. Of course, one could argue that with Nicklas Backstrom (22-66-88), it gives Alex three top threats to fall back on including ultimate roaver Green. But when one considers who he had in net (Jose Theodore mostly) compared to Marc-Andre Fleury, that has to factor in. The Caps had to outscore opponents and still finished second in the East with 108 points. What if Simeon Varlamov had played more or they’d had a better vet? That’s why Ovechkin should repeat.

Enjoy the show.