NHL Trophy Predictions

The end of the regular season is here again, it's time to predict the trophy winners.  The following are the predicted trophy finalists in predicted order of finish.  Keep in mind the New York sportswriters are on strike, so it's very unlikely a Ranger, Islander, or Devil will win anything.  I'm kinda in a hurry here, so here goes.

Hart Trophy - the player adjudged to be most valuable to his team.
1. Corey Perry, Anaheim
2. Daniel Sedin, Vancouver
3. Tim Thomas, Boston
Perry took the league by storm at the end of the season to become the only 50-goal scorer.  He's still within spitting distance of the leading point-getter, Sedin, but Sedin had so much help this year.  Thomas just 'cause.

Ted Lindsay - Most outstanding player - players pick
1. Corey Perry, Anaheim
2. Daniel Sedin, Vancouver
3.  Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers
The New York Media strike won't affect the players, and this usually goes more or less the same way as the Hart.

Lady Byng Trophy - The most gentlemanly player
1. Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay
2. Loui Eriksson, Dallas
3.Patrick Marleau, San Jose
St. Louis had 99 points and 12 penalty minutes.  This is a pretty safe bet.

Selke Trophy - The best defensive forward
1. Ryan Kesler, Vancouver
2. Nicklas Backstrom, Washington
3. Mike Richards, Philadlephia
This award is, again, awarded to the forward who excels at the defensive aspects of the game.  Kind of like the charging penalty, sportswriters usually award it for something other than what it was meant for.  So, the best 2-way player this season is likely going to be 40-goal scorer Ryan Kesler, who blocked
It's time Backstrom got some credit for his role in the great defensive turnaround of the Caps.  69 hits, 64 blocked shots, 73 takeaways, winning 52.5% of 1,315 faceoffs, 1:26 per night on the PK, and a +24 rating, he's gotta get some attention.

Norris Trophy - The best defenseman
1. Shea Weber, Nashville
2. Lubomir Visnovsky, Anaheim
3. Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit
It's time Shea Weber finally got the credit for being the great defenseman he is.  Lubomir Visnovksy is the leading defenseman scorer, and that guy always seems to finish second.  Nick Lidstrom is kinda like Team Finland in the Olympics, you never really expect them to win or do much, but they always end up in the top 3.

Vezina Trophy - The best goalie
1. Tim Thomas, Boston
2. Roberto Luongo, Vancouver
3. Henrik Lundqvist, New York
Tim Thomas came back, broke into your house, kicked your dog, took your halloween candy, and then ran away with it too fast for you to catch up.  It's not fair he can do what he does at age 36, but that's how it is.  That Luongo guy was ok, too.  Pekka Rinne of Nashville deserves credit, but like when he should have been a Calder Finalist, he'll get ignored again.

Calder Trophy, Rookie of the Year
1. John Carlson, Washington
2. Jeff Skinner, Carolina
3. Corey Crawford, Chicago
Total homer pick, but Carlson is easily the best rookie defenseman in the league this year.  He might not get as much attention as a guy like Subban because people probably forget he's a rookie.  Skinner had a bunch of points and Crawford had a bunch of wins.  yadda yadda yadda.

All-Rookie Team
F - Jeff Skinner, CAR
F - Logan Couture, SJ
F - Michael Grabner, NYI
D - John Carlson, WAS
D - P.K. Subban, MTL
G - Corey Crawford, CHI

Masterton Trophy - Perseverance and whatnot
1. Pierre-Marc Bouchard, Minnesota
2. David Booth, Florida
With all of the head-shot concussion stuff going on this year, it's gotta be one of them.

Jack Adams - Coach of the year
1. Dan Byslma, Pittsburgh
2. Guy Boucher, Tampa Bay
3. Lindy Ruff, Buffalo
It's the hat, man. Boucher got Tampa to the playoffs, for goodness' sakes, and his assistant coach has brain cancer.  And I always pick Lindy Ruff because he's still coaching in Buffalo. 

The the post-season all-star teams:
First Team
LW -Daniel Sedin, Vancouver
C - Henrik Sedin, Vancuover
RW - Corey Perry, Anaheim
D - Shea Weber, Nashville
D - Lubomir Visnovksy, Anaheim
G - Tim Thomas, Boston

Second Team
LW - Alex Ovechkin, Washington (I know! It's like picking Al Del Greco #2)
C - Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay
RW - Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay
D - Nick Lidstrom, Detroit
D - Keith Yandle, Phoenix
G - Roberto Luongo, Vancouver