NHL Awards Night

Ladies and gentlemen, put on your tuxes, because it is time for the NHL’s annual awards ceremony. Tonight, we honor the best the NHL had to give us this year. Here is a breakdown of awards and who got them, along with my analysis of what happened.

We will start with the backbone of the team, the goaltenders. The Georges Vezina Trophy is first up.

And the nominees are…

MARTIN BRODEUR – New Jersey Devils

Brodeur is always right here when it comes to the finals. Although he had a sub-par year, he proved why he’s the one that younger goalies are compared to these days. He willed the Devils into the playoffs.

MIIKKA KIPRUSOFF – Calgary Flames

Mikka proved that his cup run was no fluke. He was the major reason why the Flames are hoisting a division banner. The Jennings winner lead the league in GAA and shutouts, while coming in second in wins.

HENRIK LUNDQVIST – New York Rangers

He was looking to become the first rookie goalie since Jim Carrey in 1995 to win the Veznia. This amazing Swede not only helped his team get a gold medal, but helped the Rangers win their division.

And the winner is…

MIIKKA KIPRUSOFF – Calgary Flames

Matt’s take … This is the right call. Kipper should win MVP in my book. He was the reason why the Flames won their division. You can’t really even pin the 1st round loss on him.

Off to the defensemen next, the James Norris Memorial Trophy is up.

And the nominees are…

NICKLAS LIDSTROM – Detroit Red Wings

Arguably one of the best defensemen of all time, Lidstrom is nominated for the seventh time. He led all blue liners in scoring this year, at the same time, leading the Red Wings to a division title. Face it, when scouts are looking for a good balanced defenseman, they compare all rookies to Nick.

SCOTT NIEDERMAYER – Anaheim Mighty Ducks

He got to play with his brother, and they nearly won a division title. He ate the ice time up for the Ducks, and if you want durability, Nieds played all eighty-two games. Even at his age, he plays like he’s in his mid twenties. This was a career year for the Duck, who helped Anaheim make another appearance in the Western Conference Finals.

SERGEI ZUBOV – Dallas Stars

In a season where Marty Turo was to break out and have all the pressure put on him, his job was made easier by the simple fact that Zubov was protecting the blue line. For his whole career, Zubov has been quietly underrated. This is his first nomination, although, he deserved many more nods. While Lidstrom was first in scoring, Zubov was right behind him.

And the winner is… NICKLAS LIDSTROM – Detroit Red Wings

Matt’s Take…Once again, the right call. Nick is still the best blue liner in the game today, he can do it all, and it’s great to see Nick get the nod. He will be in the Hall of Fame one day, and might as well go down as the greatest Swedish player to ever play in the NHL.

Staying on the defensive theme, let’s acknowledge the forwards who like to play both ways. The Frank J. Selke trophy is up next.

And the nominees are…

ROD BRIND’AMOUR – Center, Carolina Hurricanes

Brindy showed why he was the heart of the Canes this year. He was their leading ice eater, and led all forwards in ice time. He also knew his way around the face-off circle, he led all NHL players in face-offs taken, and was second in face-off percentage.

MIKE FISHER – Center, Ottawa Senators

Front and center on a potent Ottawa defense, Fisher has proven himself to be one of the elite fore checkers in the NHL. He had career highs in plus/minus and in short handed goals. This kid has a bright future in the NHL.

JERE LEHTINEN – Right Wing, Dallas Stars  

When he retires, they need to change the name from the Selke to the Lehtinen. This guy seems to be there every year. He’s a three time winner, and this season, he proved why he is one of the elite defensive forwards out there.

And the winner is…

ROD BRIND’AMOUR – Center, Carolina Hurricanes

Matt’s Take…Once again, right on the money. Without Brind’amour, Staal doesn’t progress as well as he does, and the Canes go nowhere. Why he wasn’t up for the Hart is beyond me.

Time to put the kids to bed as the Calder is up next.

And the nominees are…

SIDNEY CROSBY – Center, Pittsburgh Penguins

He’s had all the hype since he was nine years old. He got to play alongside Mario for a while, but found his own stride. He became the youngest player in NHL history to amass 100 points. He was second in rookie points and in rookie goals.

ALEXANDER OVECHKIN – Left Wing, Washington Capitals

Over-hyped? Are you sure? Ovechkin was near the top of the league all season in goals and points. His fifty-two goals is second only to Teemu Selanne all time. He led the NHL in shots, and was third in points and goals. Ocechkin almost willed the Caps to a winning season.

DION PHANEUF – Defense, Calgary Flames

Another one who lived up to his hype, since he was drafted, everyone said he would be a NHL superstar. That path wasn’t just carved out by Dion, but he has proven that he will be a major force on the Calgary blue line for years to come.

And the winner is…

ALEXANDER OVECHKIN – Left Wing, Washington Capitals

Matt’s Take…Was there any question? If Ovechkin was born in North America, no one would have ever heard of Sidney Crosby.

Someone has to coach these guys, right? Here comes the Jack Adams.

And the nominees are…

PETER LAVIOLETTE – Carolina Hurricanes

On the long list of "oops" that are in the offices of the New York Islanders, letting Laviolette go is at or near the top. Peter inherited a huge mess, cleaned it up, and did a little thing called winning a Stanley Cup. Not bad in two seasons. Oh, did I mention that he guided to Whalers/Hurricanes to their best mark ever?

TOM RENNEY – New York Rangers

Renney took over the mess left behind by ex-Islander Brian Trottier. Since 1997, the only post season that Madison Square Garden would see is the final four games of the NCAA NIT Tournament. Then comes Renney, and seemingly overnight, the Rangers are in the playoffs. Not to mention, they won their division. Not bad for the biggest joke on ice.

LINDY RUFF – Buffalo Sabres

Always a personal favorite, Lindy Ruff got more than he should have out of his Sabres this year, and guided them to the playoffs, and nearly a division title. Ruff, who is the longest tenured coach in the NHL, taking over after Ted Nolan was dismissed, set the new Sabre mark for wins.

And the winner is…

LINDY RUFF – Buffalo Sabres

Matt’s Take….Come on, I love Lindy, but you can’t be serious. Laviolette willed the Canes to the second best record in the NHL. Not to mention that Renney took a team that could have been beaten by the local ice capades and won them a division title.  I know, Lindy was right up there, and if it wasn’t for Ottawa, they would have probably been the best team in the NHL. However, you still have to acknowledge Laviolette’s job in Carolina, and he should have been the Adams Award winner.

And finally…It’s MVP Time…the last category I’ll break down, the Hart Trophy.

And the nominees are…

JAROMIR JAGR – Right Wing, New York Rangers

For the sixth time, and first as a Ranger, Jags sees his name here. He was the major driving force behind the Rangers’ run to the playoffs. He is now the all time leading goal scorer and point getter in a season for the Rangers. He finished second in the league in scoring.

MIIKKA KIPRUSOFF – Goaltender, Calgary Flames

Mikka willed the Flames to a northwest division title. The Veznia and Jennings trophy winner led the league in shutouts, fewest goals allowed and lowest GAA.

JOE THORNTON – Center, San Jose Sharks

Sometimes, a change will do you well, the same holds true for Thornton. Thornton won the Art Ross, while his teammate Jonathan Cheechoo won the Richard. Thornton tallied ninety-eight of his 125 points in San Jose, and helped the Sharks make the playoffs.

And the winner is…

JOE THORNTON – Center, San Jose Sharks

Matt’s take…If this was for the second half of the season, I would agree. However, this is for the whole season, and therefore should go to Jagr. Jagr made his teammates better, while constantly putting up points, and helping his team win. Kipper should also get a look at, simply because the Flames aren’t much without him.

That is my take on the major awards of the night. My congrats to all who won tonight, whether I thought you should or not. This was a great hockey season. Here’s hoping that 2006-07 is just as well.