Alexander Ovechkin took center stage at the NHL Awards last night, and just about every honor as well.

The Washington Capitals superstar forward won the Hart Trophy (NHL MVP), and the Lester B. Pearson award (for being kick-ass in the eyes of the players). Ovechkin also won the Rocket Richard Trophy for scoring the most goals this year (65) and the Art Ross Trophy for most points (112).

The Capitals were honored even further when their newly appointed coach Bruce Boudreau was awarded the Jack Adams Award for NHL Coach of the year. Boudreau took over the Caps in November and helped turn the team around and lift them into the post-season... with a little help from Ovechkin.

Here's a rundown of the rest of the awards:

Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year):
Patrick Kane - Chicago Blackhawks

Norris Trophy (Best Defenceman):
Nicklas Lidstrom - Detroit Red Wings

This was Lidstrom's 6th Norris trophy, a few more and he will surpass Bobby Orr.

Vezina Trophy (Best Goaltender):
Martin Brodeur - New Jersey Devils

Bit of surprise, because I would have expected the voters to go with Nabokov, but Brodeur deserved it more in my opinion. He will one day go down as the greatest goaltender in the NHL.

Pavel Datsyuk Bynged it up. Jason Blake took the Bill Masterson Trophy, and Vincent Lecavalier won the King Clancy Trophy.

Quick Shave:
Coaches are being fired and hired at alarming rate this year. Here's the rundown on that:

Ron Wilson - hired as head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs
Marc Crawford - fired as head coach by Los Angeles Kings
Todd McLellan - hired as head coach of the San Jose Sharks
Craig Hartsburg - rumored to be announced as head coach of the Ottawa Senators as early as today

That's just this week. I really like the moves that the Sharks and Sens (rumored) have made. Rather than recycle a veteran coach, they are giving some new blood a shot. Both McLellan and Hartsburg are rookies as far as coaching in the NHL, but both come from winning pedigree, and I think their enthusiasm and objectivity will pay off for both clubs.

The Leafs pick up of Ron Wilson should also bear fruit, but it may take more than one season. Keep an eye on the Leafs over the next couple of weeks. The NHL buyout period begins next week, and rumors are swirling that this roster is going to explode.... where the pieces will land will be anyone's guess. Don't expect to see Tucker, McCabe, Sundin, or Raycroft wearing blue next year. Brian Burke will most likely be your new GM by the end of the summer. I know he has another year on his contract in Anaheim, but there is little that will prevent the union between he and the Leafs. Aside from a few anti-tampering rules put in place by the NHL.

Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh