2006 Chuck Norris Trophy Winner
I think everyone would have to agree that this years crop of playoff beards was very impressive. Players entering the playoffs for the first time seem to look forward to the experience of not shaving. Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers was quoted as saying he couldn't wait to start growing his playoff beard (sadly for us Ranger fans he shaved his a week later). New comers and veterans alike put their best chin forward and truly gave us a parade of jaw fur we are not soon to forget.
Deciding on this year's Norris Trophy winner was difficult at first, but looking back to when I first noticed it, I realized this guy had it in the bag two weeks ago. This playoff beard was so thick that it looked like the gentleman sporting it, was actually wearing a bandana over his face. Lips seemed to be optional, and as I pointed out yesterday, he began losing parts of his equipment within his chin mullet. All this considered, my decision eventually became an easy one.
Please join me in congratulating Bret Hedican as this years 2006 Chuck Norris Trophy Winner!!
The NHL Awards ceremony is this evening so I've reposted the nominatees as well as my predictions.
Hart Memorial Trophy (League MVP)
Joe Thornton - San Jose
Jaromir Jagr - New York
Mikka Kiprusoff - Calgary
Playoff Beard Prediction: Jaromir Jagr. Without Jagr at the top of his game, the Rangers were a different team, this was clearly evident in the playoffs. Jagr helped resurrect the Rangers, and bring them to the playoffs for the first time in 7 seasons.
Lester B. Pearson Award (most outstanding player as voted by the NHL Players' Association)
Joe Thornton - San Jose
Jaromir Jagr - New York
Alexander Ovechkin - Washington
Playoff Beard Prediction: Alexander Ovechkin. I'm trying to get in the heads of the players here, but from what I've heard, the amount of admiration for this kid is overwhelming. I wouldn't be surprised to see him get the nod.
Vezina Trophy (Top Goaltender)
Mikka Kiprusoff - Calgary
Martin Brodeur - New Jersey
Henrik Lundqvist - New York
Playoff Beard Prediction: Mikka Kiprusoff. This guy must have had 20 shutouts this season and I think he was only scored on 3 or 4 times. Maybe 5. But no more than that.
James (The Other) Norris Memorial Trophy (Top Defenseman)
Nicklas Lidstrom - Detroit
Scott Niedermayer - Anaheim
Sergei Zubov - Dallas
Playoff Beard Prediction: Nicklas Lidstrom. I said this a few months ago, but I think it's time to rename this award the Lidstrom trophy.
Calder Trophy (Top Rookie)
Alexander Ovechkin - Washington
Dion Phaneuf - Calgary
Sidney Crosby - Pittsburgh
Playoff Beard Prediction: Alexander Ovechkin. See above.
Frank J. Selke Trophy (Top Defensive Forward)
Rod Brind'Amour - Carolina
Mike Fisher - Ottawa
Jere Lehtinen - Dallas
Playoff Beard Prediction: Rod Brind'Amour. This guy is a face off master, if you play that category in your fantasy leagues, grab this guy quick!
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct)
Pavel Datsyuk - Detroit
Patrick Marleau - San Jose
Brad Richards - Tampa Bay
Playoff Beard Prediction: Who cares.
Jack Adams Award (Top coach)
Peter Laviolette - Carolina
Tom Renney - New York
Lindy Ruff - Buffalo
Playoff Beard Prediction:Tom Renney. I'm going homer here, but I gotta give the love to a guy who helped bring my Rangers to the promised land. Frankly, I would give this award to all three of these guys if I could. Whoever wins this, will be a good choice. I still think Lou Lamoreillo should be up for this as well.
What a year Peter Laviolette had huh? I still stand by my pick, but as I said, all of these coaches had amazing seasons behind the bench.
Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh
Comments
Way to go Brett!!! You did it!!! You're going to DisneyBeard!!!
I think, as a rule for this award, if the winning beard is also a member of the stanley cup winning team, said winner should ceremoniously shave his beard using the Cup as a water basin. How awesome would that be? Big, thick strands of beard sticking to the cup so that that guy with the white gloves has to polish it all up again? Come on, that would be great!!
As for the other awards, I say you're crazy if you don't think big Joey T. won't be walking away with at least one. Crazy. And I was super-impressed by the Rangers, but I swear I heard during the playoffs that the rumor is Lindy Ruff is already the winner. That surprised me to hear them speak about it like it's a done deal, but I wasn't sure who voted for that award and maybe I dreamed it while stroking my chin.
As a Penguins fan, I have to say I think it's best if Ovechkin win the Calder. The argument for Crosby is strong (VERY strong in my mind), but I think it's wrong not to reward Ovechkin. He's freaking amazing, has the best wrist shot this side of Kovalev, and it's not his fault his rookie season got postponed because of the lockout. Crosby had a great season, is two years younger, and is - mark my words - going to be one of the best pure passers to have ever played the game. I also think it's good that he doesn't get everything he wants this early in his career; the adversity will pay off in the long run. Like next year when he helps Malkin with the Calder : )
Posted by: Playoff Moustache | June 22, 2006 11:00 AM
I like your idea! The Stanley Cup has been used for worse I'm sure. Didn't Sergei Brylin give his baby a bath in it for an ESPN commercial years ago?
My pick of Jagr for MVP is part homer I admit, but look at Thorton's cast. That team was great before he got there, they were just playing under their potential. He did make Cheechoo the man. Jagr carried the Rangers to the playoffs on his back, and no one else has been able to do that since 1996-97. I stand by pick Stache!
Posted by: Captbosh | June 22, 2006 11:58 AM
Oh I'm down with giving Jags the Hart. Definitely. He's one of the key players who got me excited about hockey in the first place and he was great this year. But if he gets the Hart then I really think Joe will take the Lester (not to be confused with Mo Lester), or vice versa.
So about your Rangers...are they looking to make any offseason splashes like years past??? I saw on TSN that a deal for Luongo with the Kings is in the works. Bout to get interesting.
Posted by: Playoff Moustache | June 22, 2006 01:34 PM
Lester B. Pearson is Ovechkin. Well that's my call. I think this kid is respected by the rest of the league, and since it's voted on by the players....why not?
The Rangers have a ton of cap room. Hopefully they will resign Straka. I've heard rumors they were gonna go after Zdeno Chara....which I wouldn't complain about. I would love to see them make a play for Havlat.
Really I think they should keep building from within. There are a couple of young guys that I would like to see make the team, particularly Nigel Dawes, Lauri Korpikoski and Hugh Jessiman. The direction this team is going in is great. I'm a happy fan.
bosh
Posted by: Captbosh | June 22, 2006 03:57 PM
The no longer Mighty Ducks have their new jerseys up:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/photo?slug=6cc632ac0e8a434a8c3016438d2de480.anaheim_ducks_hockey_cadd107&prov=ap
I'm sure since I'm the only one here who was wise enough to recognize the greatness of their previous third jersey, I'll be the only one wise enough to recognize these new ones kind of suck. Boring, bland, and blah. Not a fan of the diagonal swipe.
Lastly, who the hell is this guy???
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/photo?slug=00a601084ad64e6aa143ee5583194967.correction_hurricanes_celebrate_nckt106&prov=ap
Posted by: Playoff Moustache | June 22, 2006 07:01 PM
I dunno...the stripe isn't that great, but at least gold is an unusual color for somebody to use...instead of the standard red//blue/black combo EVERYBODY seems to use.
What is this so called "third Jersey?"
Posted by: jeff | June 22, 2006 11:19 PM
You know, the black jersey with Anaheim in cursive font and the laces at the neck? A.k.a. one of the best jerseys in the league?
I thought you and bosh both said you hated that one. So be happy it no longer exists. Maybe with gold will come the glory.
Posted by: Playoff Moustache | June 23, 2006 01:10 PM
No more Black jersies!!! PLEASE!!! Give me some color.
These Ducks' jersies suck. The whole point of creating hockey jersies is merchandising. If you make a cool one, people outside the city, and the sport will purchase them. If they are ugly, your own fans won't buy them. Whats the point then?
bosh
Posted by: BOSH | June 23, 2006 01:17 PM