Midseason Awards

As is custom every season, it’s time to hand out the NHL awards as they stand around the All-Star break. Sometimes things will change by the time the awards are actually handed out, but more often than not the mid-season winner is at least a finalist come awards night.

The objective awards (most goals, most points) were not voted on because they are strictly based on stats.

Calder Trophy (Top Rookie)
Steve Mason (Columbus)

Doughty has had a great year, as has Versteeg and Wheeler, but no rookie has come on to the scene and lit it up the way Mason has. His rookie year reminds me of Brodeur’s breakout year in 1993-94, when oh by the way he won the Calder.

Vezina Trophy (Top Goaltender)
Tim Thomas (Boston)

Mason will get serious consideration for this award as well, however with his nearly identical numbers, Thomas has been shafted out of accolades long enough that he deserves to win. After all, it seems like there will be many Vezinas in Mason’s future.

Jack Adams Award (Top Coach)
Todd McLellan (San Jose)

Just like every yaer, there are about 15 deserving coaches for this award. McLellan gets the nod because he’s a rookie coach who has guided his team to an absolutely unreal record. The award is only based on the regular season, but should San Jose finally get over the playoff hump, we’ll look back and say he was definitely the right choice.

Hart Trophy (League MVP)
Alexander Ovechkin (Washington)

I love Crosby, Malkin, etc. as much as the next hockey fan, but Ovechkin is the best player in hockey. Period. And although his numbers may not reach last year’s totals, he still brings the complete package to his game.

Norris Trophy (Top Defenseman)
Zdeno Chara (Boston)

I’m sick of Lidstrom winning this award. He always deserves it, but it seems for once that someone else deserves it too. And for that, I’m going with the other guy. Whoever has to engrave Lidstrom’s name on that trophy every single year will thank me as well.

Selke Trophy (Top Defensive Forward)
Pavel Datsyuk (Detroit)

This is always a hard award to give out. My own bias wants me to give it to John Madden, but Datsyuk still has that perfect mixture of offensive prowess and defensive ability that gives him the nod. This is quickly becoming the new Norris because the same Red Wing deservedly wins it every year.

There you have it. I’d love to hear your feedback on it, as long as you keep it bias-free the way I tried my hardest to do. Coming soon, my mid-season predictions for how the final standings will shake out. Happy MLK day!