NHL Awards
Although he and the Washington Capitals fell short during the post season, the NHL and it's players couldn't help but recognize Alexander Ovechkin's dominance throughout the regular season.
Ovechkin captured the Hart Trophy for the NHL MVP and the Lester B. Pearson Award for most outstanding player as voted on by the players. For the second straight season he also brought home the Rocket Richard Trophy for league lead in goals scored with 56. Ovechkin beat out countrymen Pittsburgh Penguin forward Evgeni Malkin and Detroit Red Wing Pavel Datsyuk for the Hart Trophy.
Boston Bruins defenceman Zdeno Chara captured his first Norris Trophy. Chara beat out Detroit's Nicklas Lidstrom and Washington Capitals Mike Green. Chara had lost to Lidstrom twice before who has owned the Norris Trophy, winning 6 of the 8 times he's been nominated. While Chara's performance was impressive this season and helped the Bruins to the top of the Eastern Conference, I was a little surprised. I expected Washington blueliner Mike Green to bring this one home. Green scored 30 goals during the regular season, a feat that hadn't been accomplished since Kevin Hatcher did it in 1992-93 (which in itself is shocking).
Boston Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas captured his first ever Vezina Trophy, beating out Columbus Blue Jackets' Steve Mason and the Minnesota Wild's Nicklas Backstrom. Thomas led all goaltenders with a goals-against average of 2.10 and a save percentage of .933. He also won a career-high 36 games for the Bruins. Not bad for a 35 year old goalie who has resurrected his career over the past few seasons and finally found a home in Beantown.
Here's a rundown of the rest of the awards:
Calder Trophy for NHL's Rookie of the Year: Columbus Blue Jackets - Steve Mason
Selke Trophy for NHL's Top Defensive Forward: Detroit Red Wings: - Pavel Datsyuk
Jack Adams Award for NHL's Top Coach: Boston Bruins: - Claude Julien
Lady Byng Trophy for NHL's most gentlemanly player: Detroit Red Wings - Pavel Datsyuk
Quick Shave:
Ottawa Senators forward Dany Heatley has topped the headlines lately after he requested a trade from his club, and made the notion available to the public. He has of course been crucified by everyone in the media, fans, and of course Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke (who should lighten up considering he went after and acquired defenceman Chris Pronger following a similar episode in Edmonton three seasons ago). The Sens are in a bit of a rough spot here as Heatley is owed a $4 million bonus next month, that no team will want to pay for, so moving him at the NHL Draft next Friday will be difficult. However Heatley is a 50 goal scorer, so there will should be plenty of suitors who will be happy to overlook the bill and his selfishness. Oh one more monkey wrench to throw in the situation... Heatley has a no-movement clause so he will have a say as to where he winds up.
The Sedin twins have reportedly made their soon to be unrestricted free agent demands to the Swedish Press (who of course made that info available to the world promptly). It will require a small fortune to sign this pair as they are both looking for deals similar to the one Detroit Red Wing forward Henrik Zetterberg signed this year that tipped the scales at $73 million over the next 12 years. Since the Henrik and Daniel are a package deal that means any club wishing to acquire them will have to pony up over $140 million! I think you can buy the Phoenix Coyotes twice for that amount.
Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh
Comments
Yes, hats off to Ovechkin who led the league in scoring the ENTIRE season, including the playoffs, all the way to a dramatic victory in game 7 where he was deservedly given the Conn Smythe trophy.
Oh wait, no, that was Evgeni Malkin. Right. Tell me again why he didn't win the Hart? Because Sidney Crosby is better than Niklas Backstrom and Sergei Federov?
(Sour grapes? A little. Nothing the Stanley Cup can't help me get over...)
Good for Chara. Mike Green faded toward the end of the season otherwise, yeah, he probably would've bagged it. That said, I think what Chara gives up to Green in offense he makes up for defensively. And let's not forget he's thirteen feet tall.
The Sedins are nuts but Vancouver is even crazier if they sign both of them to 12 years. There are only a handful of players in the league who should even remotely be considered for ten-plus year deals and the Sedins aren't two of them. Sorry guys. Settle.
As for Heatley, I kind of like the idea of that L.A. rumor that's floating around. He could do wonders for Kopitar's numbers and might benefit himself from playing for a team that's so young. It could work and they could become a real threat to make the playoffs next year.
Posted by: Stache | June 19, 2009 08:03 AM
LA would probably work great Heatley.. I completely agree, the guy wants to play outside the spotlight (from what I've heard)... however, it may take Kopitar to get him to the Kings.
I wonder if L.A. would deal for him? I think they need to get a goalie.
Posted by: Cap | June 19, 2009 02:18 PM
What happened to that Jonathan Bernier kid? I remember he had that one awesome game to open the season in London against the Ducks and then...nothing. According to Yahoo he didn't play a single game for the Kings last year. Maybe this upcoming season is the year he steps up?
Posted by: Stache | June 19, 2009 05:51 PM